Most of us want to change. We recognize that there are areas of our lives that need reformation. Paul told the Thessalonians that they were walking in such a way as to please God. Then he urged them to do this more and more. There is always room for growth.
Much of our lives are given over to growing--and that means changing. God designed us to do this together, in a church. In their book, How People Change, Timothy Lane and Paul Tripp point out that the biblical way to grow is in community, as we spend time with other people. Sounds easy . . .
Yet this is not simple. Being involved with people is time-consuming, messy, and complicated. From our point of view it is inefficient, but from God's point of view it is the best way to encourage growth in grace. Our value system collides with God's, but this means for bringing about change in us is best. That means we will have to make time for these kinds of friendships to emerge and grow. We will have to be realistic, too. Close relationships make it more likely that you will sin against someone or that someone will sin against you. There will need to be times of confession and forgiveness. There will be times when you will need to serve someone, even though you feel you lack the resources. There will also be times when you will be served! That may not sound like a challenge, but if you are proud, it is the last thing you want!
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