Conviction of Sin and Repentance

Conviction of Sin 

The basic process of biblical change is a transformation that occurs as a person moves from living according to their old nature (sinful patterns) to living in alignment with God’s will through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is often described in Scripture as sanctification, the process by which believers are progressively conformed to the image of Christ. Biblical change is not about external behavior modification alone but about a deep, internal transformation that reflects the gospel's power to change hearts and lives.

Here’s an overview of the process of biblical change, grounded in key biblical passages:

1. Understanding the Need for Change: Conviction of Sin

The process of biblical change begins with the recognition of sin and the need for transformation. Conviction of sin is the work of the Holy Spirit, who exposes areas of life that are not aligned with God's will. In this stage, individuals are made aware of their need for God’s grace and transformation.

• John 16:8 – “When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.”
• The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, pointing out where we fall short of God’s standard, which leads to the recognition of our need for change.
• Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
• This verse emphasizes that everyone is in need of change because everyone has sinned. True biblical change starts with acknowledging that we are not living as we should before God.

2. Repentance: Turning from Sin to God

Repentance is a key component of biblical change. It involves a change of heart and mind—a turning away from sin and self-reliance to God and His ways. It is not merely feeling sorry for sin but involves a deliberate decision to turn from sinful behavior and attitudes toward a life of obedience to God.

• Acts 3:19 – “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
• Repentance leads to forgiveness and a refreshing work of God in our lives. The process of biblical change begins with a heart that desires to turn away from sin and back to God.
• 2 Corinthians 7:10 – “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
• Genuine repentance involves godly sorrow—a sorrow that leads to change and life. The focus is on turning to God rather than just feeling bad about the consequences of sin.

3. Renewing the Mind: Transformation of Thought and Perspective

Biblical change involves a transformation of the mind. The believer is called to renew their thinking by aligning it with God’s truth. This change in thinking is critical because what we believe directly influences how we live. True change cannot happen if our thoughts remain focused on worldly patterns and lies.

• Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
• The process of transformation happens through the renewal of the mind. As we fill our minds with God’s truth, our thoughts, desires, and behaviors begin to align with His will.
• Ephesians 4:23-24 – “To be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
• Renewal of the mind results in the putting off of the old self and the putting on of the new self, which is created in God’s image. This transformation takes place when we align our thinking with God’s Word.

4. Putting Off the Old Self and Putting On the New Self

As part of biblical change, believers are called to put off sinful behaviors, attitudes, and desires associated with their old nature and to put on the qualities of the new self, which reflect Christlikeness. This involves both a negative aspect (putting off) and a positive aspect (putting on).

• Colossians 3:5-10 – “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry... But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips... Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
• This passage emphasizes both the putting off of sinful patterns and the putting on of godly characteristics. The new self reflects the nature of Christ and is continually renewed as we grow in knowledge of Him.
• Ephesians 4:22-24 – “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
• Like in Colossians, we are encouraged to put off sinful behaviors and to put on godly behaviors that reflect our new identity in Christ.

5. Living by the Power of the Holy Spirit

Biblical change is not achieved by willpower or human effort alone but through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit enables believers to live out the new life they are called to, empowering them to follow God’s will and live in obedience.

• Galatians 5:16-17 – “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.”
• Walking by the Spirit enables believers to resist the temptations of the flesh and to live in a way that pleases God. The Holy Spirit gives the strength and guidance needed for lasting change.
• Philippians 2:13 – “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
• Biblical change occurs as God works in us. The Holy Spirit not only gives the power to change but also works in us to desire and carry out God’s will.

6. Obedience and Fruitfulness: Evidence of Change

The evidence of biblical change is seen in the way a person’s life becomes increasingly characterized by obedience to God’s commands and the fruit of the Spirit—traits like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control. True change is not just about changing external behaviors, but about producing the fruit that reflects the transformation within.

• John 15:4-5 – “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
• Jesus teaches that abiding in Him is essential for bearing lasting fruit. Biblical change results in fruitfulness, which is the evidence of a transformed life.
• Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
• The fruit of the Spirit is the natural result of a life changed by God. It is evidence that a person is living according to God’s will and power.

Conclusion: Biblical Change as a Lifelong Process

Biblical change is not instantaneous but is a lifelong process that involves repentance, the renewal of the mind, the putting off of the old self, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and the cultivation of fruit. This process is deeply rooted in a relationship with Christ and depends on His grace and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. The ultimate goal of biblical change is to become more like Christ, living in obedience to God’s will, and bringing glory to Him.

Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands

 Book Brief

Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands

By Paul David Tripp

 

Author Background

 

After reading Paul Tripp short introduction on his ministry website: https://www.paultripp.com/about I came away with the understanding that Tripp is devoted Christian that is dedicated to the ministry of Christ while clearly understanding the impact and the realities of life in a fallen world. A well-educated person with an intentional pathway that was determined early on, Paul touches every aspect of Christ’s ministry leading him to launch his own ministry in 2006. And most importantly, a Godly husband of 50 years, father, and grandfather that still find times to touch people lives all around the world.

 

Thesis/Purpose

 

Tripp presented this as a people focused approach rather than problem focused approach. Hence, Personal Ministry is just that, personal! Counselling that focuses on the person and the heart by engaging the counselee through personal relationship. By understanding that we are just mere tools in the hands of the Redeemer, Christ works through us as He sees fit within our redemptive relationships. We are in the ministry of reconciliation as Ambassadors of Christ, (2 Corinthians 5).

 

 

Argument and Support

 

1.    Relational approach 

 

The biological function of the heart is to mainly pumps and regulates oxygenated blood throughout the body and deoxygenated blood back to the lung. Much like the philosophical and spiritual function of the heart, communal and spiritual connection is vital for its health. Therefore, it is critically important that we established connection with the heart and understand the person biblically through the heart before digesting the problem. In many cases, the counselee defines the problem with partiality toward protecting the perceptual vulnerability of the self. We are to rely on the sufficiency of Christ through the inerrancy of the scripture as we work through Biblical Counselling primarily to penetrate the heart of the counselee. This is not a mere fixing of the old heart but a total renewal and uprooting of the old heart replacing it with the new.  

 

Nevertheless, understanding our roles, serving as the instrument of change is critical. The counselee must understand our biblically based love for them; they must see it in our actions. Just as Christ gave himself for us, we ought to love them Christ like. Speaking the truth in Love, as an infant in Christ we must nature the relationship as such an uncompromising biblically truth that is wrap around love. Understating their struggle as we suffer with them as Christ suffered with us (1 Peter 2:21). “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” Christ has set an example for us on we ought to be that instrument in the hands of the Redeemer.

 

2.    Personal Ministry that is relentlessly focus on the heart

 

Our work is cut out, sanctification is the Godly renewal process of a redemptive relationship between God’s and His people. Often the case, we are caught between the two realities (1 Corinthians 15:45-50),

1.      Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God

2.      A life-giving spirit, as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven.

 

Henceforth, we navigate the relationship from a flesh and blood to a spiritual seeking counselee. Tripp’s Personal Ministry acknowledges that everyone is a counselor to some degree, we are all influenced by others whether it is being done formally or informally, Christians or non-Christians, or some other medium, as it is now, more prevalent than ever with the accessibility of social media. This creates a battlefield for the easily deceitful heart, a battle between the flesh and the spirit. The indwelling spirit uprooted the old and brought in the new. Hence, it is merely not enough that God forgave us, but Christ must occupy our hearts and fight the battle for us. The heart is the key to real spiritual renewal. Once the heart is renewed, a new person is created, (Ezekiel 36:26-27), “…and I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you…” (2 Corinthians 5:17) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

 

Strengths and Weaknesses

 

1.    Weakness: What about Forgiveness?

 

Forgiveness was hardly given any attention by Tripp. The question is: why does people seek counselling? The need for counselling arises from dramatic and tragic events which has victimized the counselees. The relationship between the counselee (victim) and the perpetrator is one that must be clothed with forgiveness. In fact, Counselee does not become a counselee until he/she seeks after the redemptive relationship with Christ. Therefore, the preliminary condition is to leave behind the agony of the past and move toward seeking: This is done through the process of forgiveness. This is the example that Christ has given us that we forgive for He has forgiven us (Colossians 3:13). The forgiveness by Christ was the first covenant, “Christ first forgiven us” (Ephesians 4:32). Once God forgave us, he came and sat at our table to fellowship with us. Forgiveness is a process of letting go of the wrongdoing. It is the process of restoring to what it was like prior to the wrongdoing. Forgiveness is the ultimate demonstration of God’s Grace, Love, and Mercy. Hence, the process of forgiveness needs to be humbly guided by the wisdom of a counsellor through the heart seeking love of Christ.

Preliminary to any actuality of counselling, forgiveness must be taken place. Forgiveness is a form of voluntary suffering, the suffering moved from the perpetrator to victim. As if someone wrecked my car and I forgave him—this does not make the cost of the act evaporate. To forgive means moving the cost of the car from the offender to myself. Hence, moving the relationship to pre-accident condition. This is a core element of moving into the healing process as we guide the counselee into renewal of the heart in Love.

2.    Weakness: Entering the Relationship

 

While it is very practical that we must find ways to enter into a relationship with those that are in needs, we must recognize our own weaknesses. I agree with Tripp on capturing opportunities that God has placed in our paths; but how are we to recognize those opportunities as potential trap for ourselves.

 

The concept of an “entry gate” is good because it organizes the process into a formal structural but recognizing God-given “entry gate” present a challenge as we enter the personal space of this person. At this level we focus on the person and not the problem. We love the person and not judge them for their problems. How long is it that we continue to focus on the person? What is the threshold for turnback from the entry gate? Tripp does not offer a recovery process once entered the entry gate and somehow identified this as trap.

 

 

3.    Strength: Foundation in Love

 

I love listening to sermon that are deep in theological encouragement but the problem with those sermons, afterward, I found myself entertained but void of understand the love of Christ. As the song goes, What about Love? Tripp argues that the foundation of personal ministry and transformation of people is Love. If God is Love than Love must be the core ingredient of our message, whether it is being told from the pulpit or through a counseling relationship. Emotional IQ of the heart must be driven by love; out of all these moral virtues, Faith, Hope, and Love, the greatest of these is Love (1 Corinthians 13). The Apostle Paul does not shy away from letting us know that if we don’t have Love, we gain nothing and we are just like a resounding gong no matter what spiritual gifts or material wealth we may possessed.

 

The connection between the Heart and Love follows on what Christ has given us as the recipient of His Love. Nothing can in creation can separate us from the Love of Christ (Romans 8:35-39). This fundamental to the understanding and the spiritual renewal of the heart is to know that nothing can separate us from the Love of God. For a counselling relationship, delighting in God’s Love is the highest degree of Reconciliation with God. Most counselee seek counseling because they were under some harsh conditions to earn love. They were required to be something or act certain ways to receive affection or love. Tripp focus on the heart and love is right on as our primary task is to give direction to the counselee toward God’s love that does not base on any condition—unconditional Love.

 

Why would the Professor make me read this?

This book is very well written. It organizes in a way that it can be a practical workbook for biblical counseling. The book laid out example situations and take the reader through the pre-counselling, counseling, and post counselling process. This one is a keeper. 

 

 

Discussion Starters:

1.    Personal ministry aims at reaching the roots and not merely seeking behavioral change at the surface but permanently uproot the old root and plant new root. This is a combination of relentless personal evangelism and Biblical Counseling for those that are in needed of change, but how do we avoid the traps of just replacing the fruits? Perhaps not a fair question, but what is success looks like and what is failure looks like within the parameters of personal ministry?

 

2.    Helping people in need of change is very complicated when attempting to help those that thought of themselves as not having any problems. The question is: A homeless person walked into the Sunday morning service at church—fumed with alcohol, clothes are solid mud and torn several places, smell like he had not taken a shower for weeks. How do we approach him? Where is the entry gate? 

 

3.      In the context of counseling those with needs, how do we discern their experience of   God?

1 John 4:7 – 12 Love is the highest Degree of Oneness with God

Union Gospel

7/27/2024

1 John 4:7 – 12

⁷ Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. ⁸ He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. ⁹ In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. ¹⁰ In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. ¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. ¹³ By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit

Text: 1 John 4:10 ¹⁰ In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  (His Son as an atoning sacrifice for the satisfaction, reconciliation, or exemplifying of human oneness with God)

Topic: Love is the highest Degree of Oneness with God

What have been some of the happiest moments in your life? Think and meditate on it

-         Maybe someone whispered kind words

-         Maybe someone gave you a gift?  

-         Perhaps it is something from your childhood?

-         Did you feel loved?

-         Did you feel valued?

-         Did you feel like life is worth living?

-         Did feel belong?

The fact is that we all grew up under some conditions to earn love: What was required of us in order to receive affection and Love?

Were we required to succeed in order to be loved?

Were we required to fail in order to be loved?

Were we required to eat junk food in order to be loved?

Were we required to get angry and throw tantrums in order to be loved?

Whatever existed during our childhood, that was our emotional training!

This is how our emotional characteristics are developed and some of us never develop into emotional adulthood.

So, whatever condition in which we were brought up under, the good news is, we can all experience the Love of God under ZERO Conditional, God’s love is unconditional. This is the exemplification of the human oneness with God, God placed the condition on Himself. In order for this relationship to work, He has to remove all condition—that was the condition that he put on Himself.

1 John 4:10 “In this is love, not that we (human) loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 

Love is the highest degree of oneness with God

When in Life have you felt most lonely?  

-         Not belong

-         Longing for something that never happen

-         Perhaps it is a variety of feelings that we can’t explain

o   Cannot go to sleep because we don’t know what tomorrow going to bring

o   Feeling of being un-loved

o   Beating the pavement looking for a job days and night but nothing is found

o   Celebrating a victory and later we fell into the same trap.

o   Rejected by everyone, even those that we thought that love us

o   Feeling like that God does not love us!

Often time when we think about our relationship with God, we think that our top priority is to Love God, our text is telling us today “not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for the satisfaction of our punishment for our sins, reconciliation, or exemplifying of human oneness with God)

We think that our duty, our obligation is to Love God!

Our number one priority is to know and acknowledge that God Love us. Look at Ephesians 1:4 “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love”

God wants us to move to the highest degree of ONENESS with Him, to the throne of his Love and there we delight on being one with God.   

Once we recognized and acknowledged His love for us, our loving God is automatic. Now, hear me, we no longer love Him as an obligation, no longer a duty, but we love Him as a result of his Love for us. It is just the way of how we live out our lives. That is a life of someone that it is IN CHRIST, that is a life of someone who has atoned and is oneness with God.

Yes, most happiest times in our Lives are because we became one with whatever it was that made us happy. But our Text today reminded the everlasting joy can only be found in the Oneness with God.   

Our Loneliness is driven by not having many things in life

-         There is social & physical loneliness

o   Our social connection is NOT where it should be

o   Rejected & hated by others or family

o   Psychological challenges

o   Struggles in life can cause isolation

o   Because of my emotional codependency, I can easily drop into a deep dark place of loneliness

§  We often seek Drugs & alcohol as quick solution

§  We seek destructive & unhealthy relationships

§  We substitute other things that look like love

§  Because we can’t exactly define Loneliness we seek solution in all the wrong places  

o   But here is the thing: Loneliness drives us to seek God’s ways

§  The irony is that this all consuming sense of loneliness is actually the very thing that awakens us to seek God

§  Unless we are reconciled, unless we accept the atoning sacrifice, unless we acknowledge and accept God’s Love, our spiritual Loneliness are substitute by temporary solutions that cannot fill our hearts and only serve destruction  

 

Story of the Kid and his dad fishing  

Dad took his son fishing off the dock at the harbor

Son asked: “Dad, how big is God?”

Dad answered: “Son, see that ship yonder by the sunrise?” Son: “yes”

Dad: “see how small it is?” Son: “yes, it is tiny”

Once the ship got closer to the harbor, it got bigger and once it docked, the son said, “that is a huge ship, dad!”

Dad: “son, that is how we see God, God is small when we pushed Him far far away from us but if we let him get close to us, we can’t even fathom his greatness, see God’s love is infinite and unconditional, our human mind cannot comprehend or measure His Love.”

If you don’t feel God is in your life, maybe because you kept him in a distance

Have we kept Him at distance?

The size your God dictated the size of your blessing

Maybe you think that God cannot handle your problems, God is bigger than your problems.

I challenge you today to bring God closer to you, lets move into the highest degree of Oneness with God—Love.  

 

 

1.     Heavenly Father, we praise you as we bow our heads and lift-up our hearts in gratefulness.

2.     God, we thank you for the Gift of another day to experience your Love.

3.     We thank you for all the eternal Blessing in our lives.

4.     We stand together with Luke 18:38 today

a.     “Jesus Son of David, have mercy on us”

5.     We praise you for your unconditional Love toward us.

6.     As Whatever paths we have taken in life, you still seek after us.

7.    Whatever decisions we have made in life, you still long after us.

8.     Lord helps us to live our lives with a heart of gratitude.

9.     Our lives have been interrupted by many distractions of these world

a.     But 1 Kings 19:12 reminds us that we can find you God in “A sound of sheer silence”

10.                        Let our words and our actions shine as your love shine on us.

11.                        Let our discernments guide by your eternal wisdom

12.                        Guide us to live life according to your will and not our own understanding

13.                       Lord thank you for your endurance Love

a.    John 14:23 tells us that “If we love you, we will keep your words: and your Father will love us, and will be in our presence.”

14.                        Please show us the Godly path to eternal life.

a.     You have enlighten us with understanding in Matthew 6:33 “seek first the Kingdon of God and Your righteousness and these things will be added to us.”  

15.                        Although we always strive to do the things of Godliness, we often failed and go our own ways.

16.                        Give us the understanding to make Godly choices.

a.     Psalm 73:25 teaches us “Whom have I in heaven but God? And there is NONE upon the earth that I desire beside You God.”

17.                        You are the lamp that guide our steps

18.                        So that we may walk in accordance with Your purpose for our lives

19.                       We lift up all of our prayer requests

20.                        Whatever the needs weather it is health, knowledge, mental, or spiritual, God you are our maker

21.                        You are the God of all knowing

22.                        The inerrancy of Your scripture and the sufficiency of Your words is all we need

23.                        You are the Great Healer

24.                        Lord you are the source of all goodness and mercy.

25.                        We pray in Your Holy name