John 14.15-21

I wonder what your reaction would be if I stood in the pulpit and declared to you that in the Old Testament, Hezekiah chapter 6 verse 1 says, “God helps those who help themselves.”

Would I get a loud ‘amen’? No? Why not?! Some of you might be rather reluctant to affirm this statement.

And why not?

Well for a start there is no book of Hezekiah (though he was of course a king who reigned over Judah for 29 years) and secondly, nowhere does it say in the whole of scripture that “God helps those who help themselves” – despite what many people (even some Christians) may tell you.

“God helps those who help themselves” has become the most often quoted phrase mentioning God that isn’t in the Bible.

And so I wonder – do you know where it does come from?

We actually find its roots in one of Aesop’s Fables—Hercules and the Carter (written in the 6th century BC).

In the story, a carter’s heavy load becomes bogged down in the mud. In despair, he cries out to Hercules for help. Hercules replies, “Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel. The gods help them that help themselves.” Isn’t it rather ironic that a polytheistic tale appealing to Greek mythology has now made its way into what many believers think is contained within the pages of Scripture.

“God helps those who help themselves” is not merely extra-biblical; it is also unbiblical. It is the polar opposite of the message of Scripture which in fact insists that God helps the helpless.

In our gospel reading this morning we find Jesus addressing His disciples on the eve before his death.

To paraphrase Jesus words, He declares: God helps those who help themselves to Him. For me, this is the message of John 14. In every area of spiritual life, from beginning to end, God helps those who help themselves to Him.

So let me explain.

Previously in John 14, Jesus taught about His relationship to the Father. Now He explains His relationship to the Holy Spirit.

He says, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

Jesus doesn’t command His disciples to love Him, but to obey Him.

Love and obedience are linked throughout this passage. This is because John’s use of “love” (agape) isn’t an abstract emotion, but something intensely practical that involves obedience.

Whenever I read this verse, I think of the notorious line that many of us use when we are trying to get someone to do something for us “If you love me, you will bring me a chocolate biscuit”, “if you really love me, you’ll bring me two”

Jesus though doesn’t expect that mere raw determination or dogged discipline will be enough for us to be able to obey His commands. Instead, He seems to say: As you attempt to obey Me, I will give you My enablement—the Holy Spirit.

Jesus puts it like this: “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever”. Jesus promises that this “Helper” will be with us forever.

The Greek word translated “Helper” is parakletos, or for smoother English, paraklete. Not to be confused with a colourful little bird that sits in a cage and sings – a parakeet-  we’re talking about the Holy Spirit—the third member of the Trinity – the Paraclete.

The word Paraklete can be difficult for us to translate. Most English versions of the bible use the term “Helper”, “Counselor”, “Comforter” or “Advocate”. Perhaps the ambiguity of the word emphasises that the Holy Spirit is sent to help us in many different ways.

It’s not just that He consoles us in our sorrow, but He also makes us strong in the face of opposition. The term Paraklete is rather like a diamond; it means something slightly different depending on how you hold it toward the light and view it.

“Helper” is probably the most all-encompassing translation. The only real drawback to “Helper” is that the term can suggest a subordinate rank. And On the contrary, the Holy Spirit is not just looking to help us out when we are in a tight spot; rather, He wants to consume us and play a full part in all aspects of our lives. Remember, God doesn’t help those who help themselves; God helps those who help themselves to Him.

I remember, when working in schools I was often involved in teaching some of our children to ride a bike. Quite often many of them had never had their own and the school bicycles were the first ones they’d ever even had the chance to touch, let alone attempt to ride.

For the first timers there were stabilisers and a steadying hand on the handlebars. For those a little more advanced, running alongside the bike, one hand under the seat, giving instructions was enough. And there were crashes and falls and scrapes and tears, but eventually for most, the joyful moment of riding a bike on their own swept all these away.

Similarly, the Holy Spirit comes alongside us, encourages us, holds us, picks us up, dusts us off when we fall, and gets us going again. The Holy Spirit’s eternal patience and encouragement with us ought to give us the same heart for others when we are teaching them how to ride a bike or drive a car or anything else.

As Christians together in this church family we must learn to turn to the Holy Spirit first and to allow that same spirit to work through us to reach out to our wider community. We must build our family here in love and hope and ask the Holy Spirit to encourage us, comfort us, and strengthen us, so that we, with arms opened wide, might welcome all the world into his most glorious truth. God helps those who help themselves to Him.