What One Republic Knows About God

When I was a kid

My grandfather was a preacher

He'd talk about God

Yeah he was something like a teacher

He said, "God only helps those

Who learn to help themselves."

He was a million miles from a million dollars

But you could never spend his wealth.

I'll be the first to admit it.  One Republic's songs are ridiculously catchy.  I can hear a new one once, and it pins up band photos and overstuffed bean bags and in others ways makes itself quite at home for the day.  At least.  

They're anthemic.  And in many ways the voice of our generation.  Which is why Preacher says so much about the way we see God.  

Preacher tells the story of an imaginative boy who's wings were clipped by his zealous grandfather proselyte.  He was poor, but never shared the wealth of his religion.

But what's scary is the one phrase that defines the cultural expectations on Jesus for over two hundred years.  

"God helps those who help themselves."

Everyone has said it's in "The Good Book."  Everyone from Pa Ingalls to my own grandfather.  It's the motto of religious people for several generations.  The simple attitude that if you're going to expect anything from God, the only way you're going to get it is by proving to Him that you're worth it.  God will only save your life in an accident if you wear your seatbelt.  He'll only save your soul if you wear your Sunday best.  Your grandparents most likely believed it.  Maybe even your parents.  It came from an independent mindset that created the most powerful nation on earth.  And it was written by an ancient Greek. 

No, "God helps those who help themselves" isn't in the Bible.  Aesop, the fable writing slave said it.  It's a tragic mistake, really, because it changed how we looked at God.

Do you think God will only help you if you show Him just how serious you are?  Chances are, no.  The anthem of our forefathers makes us sick to our stomachs.  Jesus is accepting!  Jesus is love!  

And as we stumble around in the dark, shouting our opinion of what His face feels like to us, clambering for our pet version of the story to be heard, tripping the few imperfect children who come too close to getting it right, He invites us to step away and actually learn from Him.

"Come, let us reason together," (Isaiah 1:18).  "Come unto Me, all you who are burdened and tired, because I can give you rest." (Matthew 11:28).  

Yes, Jesus is accepting.  Yes, Jesus loves you.  But just like a good parent who wants to provide everything best for you, it's not all about the yes or no.  It's about the conversation.  The sofa talk.  

How was your day?  What scares you?  What makes you happy?  How's work?

Jesus doesn't care if you're helpless.  He doesn't need to see your membership card.  He cares that you are hurting and there's something He can do about it.

When you see that, that million dollars of happiness will be leaping out of your hands to the broken souls of others.  Come get more, the supply is limitless.

What can you learn from One Republic about God?  The stinginess of members only Christianity laughs in the face of what Christ gives to us.  And when we see that Christ freely helps the filthy people we still are, our wealth of love and hope will leave us as fast as it pours from heaven.  

God helps those who can't help themselves.