Book Review: Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands

I recently finished Paul David Tripp’s book “Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands”. I’ve read some other materials from Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF) which have all been very good. I know that Capitol Hill Baptist Church (CHBC) offers several CCEF mini-books on different struggles with sin for free (as long as you promise to read them). I would recommend those of you who attend CHBC to take a look at them, I’ve found them very helpful. So this is just a thumbs up for all books in the Resources for Changing Lives series and CCEF publications.

The book’s subtitle is “People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change,” which basically gives a good summary. In the opening chapters, Tripp provides great general application of gospel truths and the story of redemption to practical aspects of our daily lives. What the author does is create a framework to think through how we can interact with others around us to edify and encourage each other to pursue holiness for the glory of God.

Here’s a quick look by way of table of contents:

1. The Best News: A Reason to Get Up in the Morning
2. In the Hands of the Redeemer
3. Do We Really Need Help?
4. The Heart is the Target
5. Understanding Your Heart Struggle
6. Following the Wonderful Counselor
7. Building Relationships by Entering Their World
8. Building Relationships by Identifying with Suffering
9. Getting to Know People
10. Discovering Where Change Is Needed
11. The Goals of Speaking the Truth in Love
12. The Process of Speaking the Truth in Love
13. Establishing Agenda and Clarifying Responsibility
14. Instilling Identity with Christ and Providing Accountability

A Good Thought
This may be the only thing worth reading in this post, unless you’re considering reading this book. Tripp challenges us to think about how we view and approach our daily conversations, in which we are asked for advice or personal direction. Are we viewing such interactions as divinely appointed meetings? Do we bring God’s Word to bear when we share wisdom? Do we sharpen each other biblically or just give worldly counsel? Here’s a great excerpt:

If you were asked to teach a Sunday school lesson, preach a sermon, or lead a Bible study, you would immediately ask yourself, “Do I have the time I need to prepare?” Yet we often respond to our neighbor, golfing buddy, or church volunteer with little preparation, reflection, or prayer. Why do we spend hours preparing to teach while we offer important personal direction without a second thought? We forget that God uses those interactions to apply the transforming power of Scripture to people’s hearts. We forget that God’s Word is our primary tool of change. Instead, we come up with little personal wisdom and personal experience and let the words fly (p. 22)