Can people really change—not just on the surface, but deep down?

Paul Tripp: Not only can people change, they do. We wrote this book because we believe a changed heart is the bright promise of the gospel.  When the Bible talks about the gift of a new heart, it doesn't mean a heart that is immediately perfected, but a heart that is capable of being changed. Jesus' work on the cross targets our hearts—our core desires and motivations—and when our hearts change, our behavior changes. It's amazing to watch people who once seemed stuck in a pattern of words, choices, and behaviors start living in a new way as Christ changes their hearts.

Tim Lane: As we wrote this book we were thinking about real people, including ourselves, who struggle with deep problems.  We know that the grace of Christ is sufficient, because we've changed, and we've watched others change.

Paul Tripp: The Bible is shockingly honest and shockingly hopeful at the same time. God knows how ugly, messy, disastrous, and hurtful life can be.Right next to that honest picture of life, he puts the promise of real personal change. That¹s an amazing combination. The hope doesn't compromise the honesty, and the honesty doesn't diminish the hope.  We wanted How People Change to communicate the honesty and the hope of the gospel.

Are you breaking new ground in this book?

Tim Lane: This is not new material. It's all in the Bible. And we are building on what others at CCEF, especially David Powlison, have done. When you read this book we want you to think, "I didn't learn anything new; I saw how to apply old things in new and fresh ways." We want this book to help people connect the gospel to their lives, and see how that brings change at the deepest level.

Who should read this book?

Tim Lane: This book is for normal, average Christians who are trying to live out the Christian life in their homes, workplaces, and churches.  It is for people who have hit a wall in their Christian life and stopped believing that real change is possible. And it is for those who need to change and, at the same time, are trying to help others change.

Often I get stuck: I know what I am doing is wrong, but I keep doing it. How will your book help me?

Tim Lane: We experience that same struggle. We wrote this book out of our need, not our success. Many times we stopped in the middle of a chapter and talked about our lives. Noticing what a powerful grip sin still has can be discouraging. But when you read Paul in Romans 7 and 8, you see that his struggle keeps him humble, and reminds him of how dependent he is upon Christ. He says in Romans 7: "Oh wretched man that I am! Who can save me?" Then Romans 8 is all about the gospel. God uses our struggle with sin to remind us of our moment-by-moment need for grace.

Paul Tripp: Because our struggle is so intense and because we are often blind to ourselves, we need community. God is willing to make community with us, as messed up as we are. We don't turn him off or drive him away. We'¹re a mess, and we're angry with people who are a mess! But God moves toward us in mercy and grace, wraps his redemptive arms of love around us, and changes us. To do that, he uses his community; God has an amazing way of using broken, messed-up people to change broken, messed-up people. Once when I was angry, my wife Luella said to me, "You know, Paul, you are not seeing what is behind your anger."  Then she told me exactly what was making me angry. She was giving me sight. I can't do that for myself. That's why humble, honest, approachable relationships are so important.  

How did writing this book change you?

Paul Tripp: It has given me more courage. I don't need to be afraid of what I am facing or what anybody else is facing because Jesus has conquered death. He has made adequate provision for what we all face every day. We can get up in the morning and be hopeful. We don't need to live fearful, worried, tentative lives.

Tim Lane: Writing this book made me realize again that the most important thing in life is being united with Christ. Remembering all the past, present, and future blessings that are mine in him has changed the way I think and act. I know, in a deeper way, that this is the only thing that brings change to others.

Paul Tripp: This book is all about Christ. We are always measuring our potential. Because "I no longer live and Christ lives in me," we no longer measure our potential by the size of our problem or by our track record. The gospel is the announcement of a new potential that is not a system or a technology of redemption: it is a person. His name is Christ, and he literally resides inside us. He alters my potential as a human being. That is the message of this book.