Instruments In The Redeemer's Hands: Ch. 9-10

KNOW

What a wonder to know that Christ knows us and understands us better than we understand ourselves- He stepped into our world not only to acquire salvation for us, but also to get to know us on a personal level; He shared in all our experiences of life. To me, that is amazing- He must have had quite a life! There are a lot of people with a lot of different problems . . . and He can sympathize with them all- WOW!

I also really appreciate the way Tripp gives us an honest view of humanity. How true it is that “we are more impressed with our righteousness than we are horrified by our sin” (181). Tripp not only draws out our need of Christ, but also our need of others in the spiritual battle in which we are engaged: “because of this, we all need people who love us enough to ask, listen, and, having listened, to ask more. This is not being intrusive. This is helping blind people to embrace their need for Christ” (181). I find this to be a real encouragement to engage in more meaningful conversations, and be willing to be an ambassador for Christ, to be used by Him as iron sharpening iron.

When engaging in personal ministry not only do we receive the blessing of being encouraged and challenged by others, but we also have the esteemed privilege of seeing God at work in our own lives as well as the lives of others. Tripp says we can point Christians to the resources that are theirs in Christ; for unbelievers, these same resources are available if they would turn to Jesus for their salvation! In my internship I have the privilege of witnessing this wondrous work of Christ that Tripp is speaking of. I meet with several groups of men who struggle with varying degrees of sexual sins. All can profess to the arresting work of God calling them out of their live of sin, and of His continual grace in their lives as they seek to carry on the battle against lust and the spiritual darkness that would lure them into the pits of hell if they were able. God’s grace is indeed a wonderful work of transformation, as I see in my own life as well. If we did not take the time or the effort to get to know people, we would miss out on seeing God in action in a lot of ways. I am thankful He has me where He has me.