God Helps By Giving Himself

Trillium (across from our house in Munson Park)

When God helps us he gives, of himself and resources, to us. This is the "abiding relationship" understanding of the "help" of God. God does not help those who help themselves. God helps those by giving himself. As we dwell in the perichoretic Trinitarian relationship the help of God is abidingly ours. God, therefore, does not help from afar, but from a place nearer to you than your own skin. Christ, remember, dwells in those who follow after him.

I like the way C.S. Lewis, in Mere Christianity, puts this:

"What do we mean when we talk of God helping us? We mean God putting into us a bit of Himself, so to speak. He lends us a little of His reasoning powers and that is how we think; He puts a little of His love into us and that is how we love one another."

Recall Jesus' words in John 14-16.

• It is the Father, living in you, that does the things the Son did while on earth, and even doing greater things. (John 14:10-14)
• The Spirit of truth dwells in you. (John 14:16-17; 16:13)
• The Holy Spirit teaches us and reminds us. (John 14:26)
• Trinitarian peace is ours. (John 14:27; 16:33)
• Your life becomes fruit-bearing. (John 15:4, 8)
• God's love is within you. (John 15:9-10)
• Trinitarian joy is yours. (John 15:11)

Why does God do it this way? Lewis writes: "When you teach a child writing, you hold its hand while it forms the letters; that is, it forms the letters because you are forming them. We love and reason because God loves and reasons and holds our hand while we do it."