The Self-Help Gospel vs. Intimacy with Christ

Darren J Stott

   I once read an interesting article called, Self Help Books Sell Because They Don’t Work in which the article reported that if you type in “lose weight” at Amazon you will get 27,000 books, and if you type in leadership you will get 14,000 results.  Self help books are always a part of the New York Times Bestsellers list because they sell.  I have seen many self-help churches and have listened to a couple of self-help sermons.  I have concluded that I am allergic to the self-help gospel; it leaves me feeling itchy.  I once tried to help myself without the help of Christ and it was really no help at all.  I’m not the naturally overly disciplined type who wakes up at 2AM in the morning to work out for three hours only to lock myself in my den as I memorize the Pentateuch. The good news of the Gospel is that it is not a self-help scheme.  God actually works, redeems, and restores! He does this through relationship.

Psalm 105:4 says, “Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!”

“Presence” is a common translation of the Hebrew word “face.” Literally, we are to seek his “face.” But this is the Hebraic way of having access to God. To be before his face is to be in his presence.” - John Piper

This face-to-face picture depicted in the word “presence” is that of a bride and her groom, face-to-face, seconds away from a kiss.  It’s a picture of worship and intimacy that flows from a place of confidence, faithfulness, and long-suffering.

The fruit of intimacy is really the fruit of the Spirit.  These are character supplements that cannot be purchased with money or even worked for; they grow naturally and slowly.  Striving to white knuckle yourself into being better, may leave you appearing to be better person but for what benefit?  If it works it will merely leave you feeling more independent of Christ and ultimately self sufficient and proud.

Jesus is inviting us to come and stand face-to-face with him, in His presence, and to wait with our eyes closed and lips puckered. He is inviting us into an intimate relationship that bears fruit.  Without being face-to-face we cannot love, we cannot really have true joy, be at peace, be patient, be kind, be good, faithful, gentle, and exercise self-control.  Without intimacy with Jesus, we are not any of these things; we are merely buying into the self-help, self-salvation project that is sweeping across the church and is a violation to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We need to be in His presence, face-to-face, nose to nose, eyes closed, waiting for His approach, His kiss. Come Lord Jesus come!