Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands, by Paul David Tripp, presents a
remarkable and refreshingly biblical approach to achieving change in people’s
lives. It is a book that addresses the deep needs of those who are acutely
suffering, but also every one of us as it teaches us to minister in a biblical
way, one unto another.
Tripp
lays a good foundation by explaining who we are in God’s creation, what the
effects of sin are on every one of us, and why we need Jesus. The book gets its
title as he explains how we are each used as an instrument of Christ to work
his redemption in the lives of others. In turn, others are used as instruments
of change in our lives. He powerfully ties this into our role as God’s
ambassadors who are incarnating Christ at every moment.
Another
of the categorical differences between this book and other approaches to
life-change is the focus on the significance of the heart as the source of our
sin and broken lives. The heart becomes the target for change as it is compared
with scripture and God’s will for us to glorify him and enjoy him.
After
preparing the foundation, Tripp spends the majority of the book describing a
model for building relationships and actually being the instrument God uses to work change in people’s lives. The
model is called “Love, Know, Speak, Do.” Love
is the over-arching and motivating part of the equation. It encompasses God’s
love for us as well as our love for one another. Know is the process of developing deep and caring relationships,
through which change and mutual admonition can happen. Speak deals with truth and the need for godly and loving
confrontation, not just in the big things, but as a natural and organic part of
our corporate lives. Finally, Do is
concerned with action, responsibility, and accountability for the long haul.
His
instruction is thorough, comprehensive, and detailed. It is also very
practical, with specific examples and suggestions about how to implement each
of the four aspects of the model. Without reservation, I recommend this book to
anyone who is in formal counseling or discipling relationships, but also to
anyone who wants greater insight into his own heart and who wants to more fully
reflect Christ to others.
