Bible Question:
Mark,Doc, Here here my dear brothers! All I have to do is look back on my own salvation to remember how much God has brought me out and how much I have to be gratefull for today as a result. Humbling isnt it? I love you guys. |
Bible Answer: Dear Lionheart, In my current class I was listening to a lecture by Paul David Tripp. He argues that repentance and change are always linked. He sort of summed it up in the points "Wake up, own up, shift weight). Following is an excerpt of my notes from the conclusion of Tripp's lecture. Change begins when your heart turns to Christ's grace. 1. Wake up! (This is a Sovereign work of God) God is gracious where we need it: In the Past, grace is for you; in the Present grace is in you (Holy Spirit); in the Future grace is before you (our certain hope). 2. Own up. (See, think, feel accurately -- i.e., Scripturally) There is a growing persuasion that life is a moral drama, shifting from the thorn bush to Godly fruit (Jeremiah 17). We make repentance intelligent; i.e., “I do what I do, no one makes me.” We take these things with a great seriousness before a holy God. 3. Shift Weight Saying and doing what needs to be done, to the One whose opinion matters and whose mercy helps. (A) Confess the sin. Name it explicitly. Say clearly what is wrong. (B) Seek tangible mercies; i.e., ask Him. (C) Rely upon it as a refugee; i.e., He is our refuge. The end of repentance and change is joy and gratitude! In Him, Doc PS Numbered points give the implication of steps and methods. Scripture is not presented that way. The numbered points simply help us organize the what the whole Scripture says on a given topic in order that we might better learn it. |