How People Change
Who wants a change?
Who could use a little change in their life? How about a really big change?! Lord, help us all. Me too!!
When I saw the title of this book, co-written by one of my favorite Authors and Biblical Counselors, Paul David Tripp, I snatched it up right quick! I’ll tell you upfront and again halfway through, hang in there. It’s a goldmine!
Nothing new here
The Authors of How People Change readily reveal, there is nothing truly new discussed in their book. They valiantly spend a great effort, simply reminding and explaining Christ’s work of grace in our lives. It’s the good news all over again. Christ changes us by His grace. And it’s as simple and complex as that.
Jesus is the answer
Don’t you find it comforting that the changes we’re looking for are sourced entirely through Christ by the gift of grace? Without intending triteness, -Jesus is the answer. He has always been the answer. He changes us through His grace.
The book uses a five-point gospel perspective to flesh out topics on the ” gravity of sin,” the “centrality of the heart,” the “present benefits of Christ,” a “call to growth and change,” and living a “lifestyle of repentance and faith.” How People Change isn’t so much a how-to book, as much as it is a how-things-work type of book. Clue alert, -through it all, a relationally intimate, Christ-focused life is key.
Although you can certainly benefit from How People Change as a stand-alone book, I highly recommend reading and working through the Study Guide as well. It requires you to ask deeper questions of yourself than you might get to without it. It is a boatload of work if you’re serious. The Study Guide is quite “meaty” with additional information that makes it a great benefit. Most chapters can easily chew up several hours to accomplish. But they are exceptionally rewarding hours!
All in all, a great resource
I’ll be honest. I found the book longer than necessary, to the point of near frustration. Funny how around about that time, the Authors defend their drawn-out descriptions as being foundationally essential to receiving a clear understanding of the matter. It’s tough to decidedly refute their assertion, as I had the benefit of the long build, -prior to receiving the concise answers. Perhaps it is an individual preference thing?
All in all, the book is a great aid towards understanding the grace process of Biblical change, giving Christ the ultimate glory for that change, not ourselves. I absolutely recommend this great resource!
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Great insights, Renee. I appreciate Paul David Tripp as an author and speaker, too. He has a way of saying the “should be obvious” in a clear and poignant way that sticks to my heart. A book that I finished a couple of months ago was “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp. Her writing style took a little getting used to; she writes like she thinks… in sentence fragments at times. But is was powerful and convicting. It reminded me of what you were saying (in another post) about looking for God’s gifts to us in all places… some small… some big, but all with His loving kindness. They are everywhere! When I acknowledge God’s gracious hand in those gifts, it produces genuine joy. This is something I need to grow in, yet have struggled to do so far quite awhile. Thanks for your gentle reminders.
Thank you, Cricket. I really appreciate your comments!!
We all have growth needs, don’t we? The point of living a lifestyle of repentance and faith was especially poignant for me.