"Heaven helps those who help themselves" is not in the bible from my understanding, rather its the opposite. God helps the helpless, the powerless etc. please enlighten me more on this, thank you.
It is not in the Bible. However, we should not completely discard the "possible" underlying interpretation the initial writer of the quote was trying to convey
Abraham had two sons, the one by Sarah (a freewoman) and the other by Hagar (a bondwoman). However, we see in Genesis chapter 22 that in three different occasions, God referred to Isaac as the only son of Abraham, in total disregard of Ishmael as a son. So, in what sense is Isaac the only Son of Abraham? (Genesis 22:2 KJV) And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. (Genesis 22:12 KJV) And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. (Genesis 22:16 KJV) And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son , thine only son. First notice that the second time the word ‘ son ’ is used in all the above verses, it is in italics, indica...
Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15 KJV). Keeping the commands (or preferably instructions) of Jesus begins with recognizing what they are. The following is a collection of 60 of Jesus’ instructions. These are the terms of the new covenant in Christ. Repent— Matthew 4:17 Follow Me— Matthew 4:19 Rejoice when you are persecuted for following Jesus— Matthew 5:12 Let Your Light Shine by good deeds— Matthew 5:16 Do Not Be Angry with your brother-- Matthew 5:21-22 Do Not Insult Others By Calling Them Fools-- Matthew 5:22 Be Reconciled with the one you offended— Matthew 5:24–25 Do Not Covet A Married Woman— Matthew 5:27–28 Repent from sin by cutting off the temptation, or go to hell--- Matt 5:29-30 Don't say more than 'yes' or 'no' to prove you are truthful — Matthew 5:37 (outside court is implied) Do Not Retaliate Against Evil Persons Who Strike You-- Matthew 5:38-39 Sacrifice Beyond What Others Demand You Give—Matthew 5:38...
Did you know that the bible verse in Genesis 8:22 often quoted by a lot of the gospel ministers to support giving of money, offerings and tithes has nothing to do with money? (Genesis 8:22 KJV) While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. The statement in the verse was made by God to Noah immediately after the flood. It was made to assure Noah that He will never again destroy all life on earth by water anď that as long as the earth remains none of the following will ever cease on earth: Planting of seeds and harvesting of seeds. The four different seasons - spring, summer, fall and winter. Day and night. In other words, the natural life on earth is perpetual . I recommend you read at least the entire Genesis chapter 8 in other bible translations to better understand the context. So when next you hear the verse in connection to giving just remember the context in which God made the statement. If you l...
Most of us are very familiar with the story in Matthew chapter 16 where Jesus said that Simon, who was one of His disciples, is Peter (which means rock). The question is, why did Jesus call him Rock? (Matthew 16:18 KJV) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18 NLT) Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. Before we answer the question, it is of note that there are many Believers and non Believers alike, who do not accept Peter as the Rock. They usually twist the above verse and play on words from the Greek translation such as: (Matthew 16:18) And I say also unto thee, That thou art PETROS , and upon this PETRA I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. They say that what Jesus called Simon was " Petros " which refers ...
3 John 1:2 KJV Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. Many Christians regard the above verse as a declaration from God of His desire to financially prosper believers. While we acknowledge the bible-fact that God's plan for His children is that of good and not of evil, however, the above verse is not a sovereign declaration of Almighty God; it is rather a greeting/prayer from Paul to Gaius. The verse is never God's promise to financially prosper any believer, which has faith, in this dispensation as some profess. Paul's statement in that verse is like saying, "Hello dear, I hope all is well with you. I wish you long life, good health and prosperity as you grow in the things of the spirit'. Here are other translations for better understanding: 3 Joh 1:2 CEV Dear friend, and I pray all goes well for you. I hope you are as strong in body, as I know you are in spirit. 3 Joh 1:2 ISV Dear friend, I pray ...
There are two main symbols mentioned in Revelation 13:17 that are the mark of the beast and they are: The name of the beast and The number of its name (Rev 13:17 NIV) so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. Many Christians believe that the name of the beast and the number of its name which was later given as 666 in Revelation 13:18 are speaking of the same thing. However, a review of the scriptures indicates that they are not pointing to the same thing. The name is that of the beast while the number is that of a man . In other words, the name of the beast pertains to the beast while the number 666 (or 616 in other Bible texts) pertains to a man. Revelation 13:18 clearly stated that the number is that of a man: (Revelation 13:18 KJV) Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man ; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. ...
In the New Testament, there are two key parameters for judging sin. The first one is love, the second one is faith. We will begin by taking a close look at these two parameters. Firstly, let’s read Romans Chapter 13 verse 8: (Romans 13:8-10 KJV) Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandments, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Did you read that? “He that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” In other words, anything that is outside love is sin (i.e. has transgressed the law) because love is the fulfilling of the law. By walking in love, you walk in God. Secondly, I recommend you read the entire chapt...
Genesis 6:6 is one of those difficult verses in the bible of which different bible commentators have varied interpretations. The verse seems to suggest that God regretted His action of creating man on earth. But how can one attribute regret to the All-Knowing God? Genesis 6:6 (ESV) And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. Genesis 6:6 (KJV) And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. Genesis 6:6 (NASB) The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The Hebrew word translated as “ regretted ” or " repented" or " sorry" in the above verse is yin'nā'hem , from the root word nacham . The word is exclusively about emotions: a feeling of pain, sadness, or unhappiness. The word does not imply that God feels He has made a mistake, or that He wishes to have done differently . However, this wo...
Some people contend that Jesus' ministry was only for the Children of Israel and not for all mankind. To support their claim, these people are quick to cite the following verses from the New Testament: (Matthew 15:24) He (Jesus) answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." (Matthew 10:5-6) These twelve (disciples) Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel." It is important to realize first of all that Jesus was born of the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He was the fulfillment of the promise that God had made to Abraham many centuries earlier. Because of obedience and submission to God's will, God's promise to Abraham was two-fold. First, God promised to bless his lineage, namely Isaac, Jacob (Israel), and the Children (descendants) of Israel. Secondly, God promised that from this lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would...
The question of Jesus ascending twice to heaven is not often asked because there is this general acceptance of only one ascension of Jesus which occurred in Acts 1:9, Mark 16:19 and Luke 24:51 (Acts 1:9 KJV) And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. (Mark 16:19 KJV) So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. (Luke 24:51 KJV) And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. However, there is an evidence in the Bible that He had earlier ascended to His Father in Heaven prior to this final ascension in the above verses. Before His death, Jesus specifically told His disciples in the book of John chapter 16 that He would be going to His Father (which is in Heaven). (John 16:16-17 KJV) A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Fat...
"Heaven helps those who help themselves" is not in the bible from my understanding, rather its the opposite.
ReplyDeleteGod helps the helpless, the powerless etc.
please enlighten me more on this, thank you.
Nice try Nze. Let's wait for comments from others.
ReplyDeleteNze, you are absolutely correct.
ReplyDeleteIt is not in the Bible. However, we should not completely discard the "possible" underlying interpretation the initial writer of the quote was trying to convey
ReplyDelete