Whereas the Old Covenant focused on actions and externals, and used the Law as the message of change, the New Covenant (instituted at the death of Jesus) focuses on the heart and uses forgiveness through the gospel as the method of change.
So we aim for the heart of our students by focusing on the cross, which then involves the Holy Spirit whose work is to transform people into the image of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NLT For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (18) So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. Any other message than the cross, and the Holy Spirit does not come with power to operate on a human heart.
To make this clear: one who has purposed to familiarize himself/herself with the gospel can address any subject from a gospel perspective. Any topic that needs to be addressed with a student can originate from the gospel, be centered in the gospel, or end with the gospel.
This is not to say that we are “Bible answer people” but rather that the gospel addresses every issue we have in life. Your supervisor is responsible for helping you do this as you begin mentoring.
Oh, friend, when the student begins to “get it”, to truly understand and embrace the message of the cross in their hearts, their whole world changes. When commenting on this topic on the forum, Sam wrote: “Our hearts can't help but change. We can hardly keep up with all the changes!”
As you lift up the cross to your students, as you call them to come and examine it, as you encourage them to believe it, you will watch some students literally come alive to God. They will look to the cross and experience true love as they see Jesus’ open arms and open heart, receiving them at the cross, and they will happily bow their knee to the Sovereign King and submit to Him with joy!
Their heart is being changed at the cross. They are falling in love with Jesus. And those who fall in love with Jesus are protected, safe in the arms of their crucified/risen King.
“Holiness does not come merely by creating a list of moral taboos and then exerting our willpower to resist them. ‘Just Say No’ alone doesn't work. Of course, we must say ‘No.’ Please don't misunderstand me. But lasting, meaningful victory will come only if there is something more enticing to which we can say ‘Yes!’…We must fight sin with a massive promise of superior happiness. We must swallow up the flicker of sin's pleasure in the forest fire of holy satisfaction. The only thing that will ultimately break the power of sin is passion for Jesus. The only thing that will guard me from being entrapped by sin is being entranced by Jesus. In other words, the key to holiness is falling in love!” Storms, S. (2014). Pleasures Evermore: The Life-Changing Power of Enjoying God, NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO, pp. 31-32.
Question 4. Considering Sam Storms’ statement above, in particular “The only thing that will ultimately break the power of sin is passion for Jesus”, how will that truth affect your mentoring here with Setting Captives Free?
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.