If We’ve Only Got One Life…

Instruments In The Redeemer’s Hands

I started reading Paul Tripp’s book Instruments In The Redeemer’s Hands yesterday.  Its subtitle is, “people in need of chnage helping people in need of change” - basically an attempt to explain to the layperson how to counsel people, and why they should.

The sticker on the back puts it in the “Psychology” category.  This is not your average Christian Psychology book.  Some quotes (bolding mine):

The sad fact is that many of us are simply not biblical in the way we use the Bible!  Being biblical does not mean merely quoting words from within its pages.  Being truly biblical means that my counsel reflects what the entire Bible is about. The Bible is a narrative, a story of redemption, and its chief character is Jesus Christ.  He is the main theme of the narrative, and he is revealed in every passage in the book.  This story reveals how God harnessed nature and controlled history to send his Son to rescue rebelious, foolish, and self-focused men and women.  He freed them from bondage to themselves, enabled them to live for his glory and gifted them with an eternity in his presence, far from the harsh realities of the Fall. - page 27

It is because our sin problem is so pervasive and so deeply ingrained that we need more from Scripture than insight, principles, understanding, or direction.  An encyclopedic, problem-solving approach to Scripture is totally inadequate for the true depth of our need.  We need something that will change us from the inside out - we need Christ!  Only his person and work can free us from our slavery to self and our tendency to deify the creation. - page 27

From the rise and fall of governments to tomorrow’s weather to the exact location of every human being, the universe is under God’s control.  He has the power and authority to do exactly what pleases him, andwherey he chooses to do it.  God’s sovereignty is not only about power and position, but also about a plan.  Scripture clearly teaches that God has a plan for his world and the people in it.  God is calling a people to himself, forming them into his likeness, and preparing them for an eternity with him.  This is his overarching plan of the ages, revealed in history, present in current events and in the lives of everyone who has ever lived.  At any moment in time, the right answer to the question, “What is God doing?” is, “Accomplishing his plan.” - page 29

But the story of Scripture is the story of the Lord’s glory.  It calls me to an agenda that is bigger than myself.  It offers me something truly worth living for.  The Redeemer has come so that glory thieves would joyfully live for the glory of Another.  There is no deeper personal joy and satisfaction than to live committed to his glory.  It is what we truly need. - page 35

-Ben