The Self-Help book section at Barnes and Noble is impressive. There is everything there to help us transform ourselves from wimps to giants. No matter what deficiency we think we have, there is a book to help us conquer. We can develop seven healthy habits or work through twelve steps. We can forget the negative thoughts and realize the power of positive thinking. It is all there.
I even saw one entitled “Live to Be a Hundred.” Honestly I thought that was pretty puny. Only a hundred? I realize there is something called the Hayflick Limit that which tells us cell replication is limited to 40 to 60 times and then senescence occurs bringing mitosis to a grinding halt. This puts a cap on human life somewhere in the area of 135 if everything else functioned optimally. But, in spite of this, 135 is pretty paltry when we consider what Jesus offers. Barnes and Noble should have a section called, “How to Live Forever.” It should be an array of various translations of the Bible, the best, the most incredible, the most promising, the most fabulous book ever written.
Just think of the wonder of Jesus’ promises. In John 3:16 He said, “Whosoever . . . (That’s you and me. We are the whosever.) believes in Him shall have everlasting life.” In John 5 Jesus said, “Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” Recently I heard a preacher declare that we all had to face judgment someday. Apparently he failed to read John 5.
I realize in a way this isn’t self-help. It is Jesus help. But we do have to accept the gift. That is the ultimate self-help.
Written by Roger Bothwell on February 3, 2015
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org