Help! I Want to Change

LifeLine Mini-books

by Jim Newheiser

A small booklet helping people to build spiritually healthy lifestyles.

“Why can’t I change?” Have you ever asked this? Maybe you want more discipline in your eating habits. Or perhaps you struggle to keep your spending under control or maintain daily Bible reading and prayer. Change is hard, and our attempts often result in failure. This booklet explains that it is the gospel—what God has done for us—that is the key to change and that empowers us to make changes that will please God.

Intended Readership: Anyone who is serious about making progress in the Christian life ~People who are struggling with besetting sins and habits ~Counselors, ministers and Christian workers who are helping people who seem to be trapped in certain situations

Genres: Counselling, Christian

64 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 26, 2012

About the author

Jim Newheiser, DMin, Westminster Theological Seminary, California, has served in pastoral ministry and has practiced biblical counseling for over thirty years. He is the Director of the Christian Counseling Program at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte and the Executive Director of IBCD. He is an ACBC Fellow and board member.

Reviews

[Max Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful little book from the LifeLine mini-books series. I have great appreciation for Jim Newheiser’s counseling ministry, and the insights shared in this booklet are meaningful to both those helping others change or trying to change themselves.

I definitely see myself returning to this book for the excellent personal reminders and sharing it with those I counsel.

This book was introduced to me in the IBCD counseling observation video series and IBCD Care and Discipleship course I’m taking as a part of ACBC certification.

[Danny Pelichowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief, hopeful, and also realistic look at the problems that all people face. I see this as a solid go to resource that I plan on assigning in many initial counseling meetings.

I prefer it over another similar introductory resource often used in the BC world because it paints a more realistic picture of the problems that people face…

Dr. Newheiser also rightly acknowledges the frustrating reality of remaining sin, and appropriately points us to the continual need to address our sin and problems our entire lives.

[Coalición por el Evangelio]

«¡Ayuda! Quiero cambiar!», de Jim Newheiser, no trata de métodos basados en tus propias fuerzas; este recurso te ayuda a ver cómo el evangelio no solo es el punto de partida de la vida cristiana, sino también el camino por el cual podremos crecer en santidad. Aunque el libro es pequeño y su portada minimalista, su contenido es de gran ayuda espiritual y práctica.

Lee la reseña completa en Coalición por el Evangelio.

[Arely Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡Me encantó!
Es un libro muy preciso que todo cristiano que necesita un cambio (en realidad todos lo necesitamos) tiene que leer. Entender que no es por nuestras fuerzas o sabiduría, sino que es a través del Espíritu Santo y estando unidos a la vid verdadera.
👏🏻👏🏻

[Maj Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had more stars to give, I would! This book was INCREDIBLE and so edifying.

This short booklet went over what it means to change biblically, what the Bible says about change, and how we can change to God’s glory, changing ultimately to be more like Christ. I will put my takeaways from this book down below.


1. Our goal is not merely to transform some aspect of our lives so that we will be happier or more comfortable. The goal of believers is that we would become more Christlike and that this change would be to the glory of God. Change begins with the Gospel.
2. Seeking change in our lives that comes from methods that aren’t in Scripture will not allow us to experience the change God wants for us. We are totally dependent upon God — not ourselves for lasting and true change. Apart from Him we can do nothing. The Gospel is the key to change
3. The Gospel is not only important to us as Christians, at the beginning of our faith journey, but the Gospel is essential for our ongoing growth as believers. We need the Gospel everyday!
4. The only change that pleases God takes place by faith, through His power and for His glory. The change that pleases God takes place when our hearts are changed by the power of the gospel and we are empowered not only to do what is right, but to do so for His glory.
5. Many believers, though they realize that they are justified by faith, still think that God accepts them according to how well we measure up to his standards and law. However, the gospel declares that God accepts us for Christ’s sake and that the only righteousness we possess is the perfect righteousness of Christ.
6. As believers, we rest in the truth that we will never be more or less acceptable to God than we were on the day of our conversion.
7. Remembering who we are in Christ is the key to change–overcoming sin, and doing what is right. Because we are in Christ, the Gospel has changed our identity forever.
8. A key to overcoming any temptation or experiencing change, is realizing that Christ is more satisfying, more enjoyable, than the misuse or attachment to material things. When tempted, we need to learn to “taste and see” the Lord is good. As we learn to feed by faith on Christ instead of trying to satisfy ourselves in the broken cisterns of the world. In Christ, there is unmixed joy and satisfaction.
9. We cannot live transformed lives for God apart from Christ. We cannot bear good fruit apart from the vine. The believer who tries to change on their own merit/power will fail.
10. How do we abide in Christ? By filling ourselves and our mind up with His Word. (If you abide in my and my words abide in you). We also abide in Christ by dependent prayer. Asking the Lord to work or change in us what we are unable to do on our own. We abide in Christ by being obedient to God’s command to love one another.
11. Our daily failure to perfectly keep God‘s commandments, drives us back to the comfort of the gospel, which reminds us that our standing before God comes solely through faith in Christ and not by our works. Our sin drives us to recognize our daily need for the gospel of grace.
12. Because we love God, who so graciously saved us, we are eager to please Him by living the holy, fruitful lives, which are produced by the work of the gospel within us.
13. Our good works of obedience and service can’t add to the merit of Christ which has been imputed to us. Nor do we do what is good and right so that we can feel better about ourselves. The best of us is still the chief of sinners. We obey, not to gain God‘s favor, but out of love for and gratitude to Him who so loved us when we deserved only wrath.
14. Our works of obedience do not add to the righteousness of Christ which has already been imputed to us. Nor can our service make Him love us more. God is already as favorably disposed towards us as He can be. From the moment of conversion when we were justified because of what Christ did for us, God loved us more then than he ever will now, because his love is always the same. His love towards us is unchanging, He will never love us more or less than He already does. We love and obey God, not in order to cause Him to love us, or to make Him love us more than He already does, but because He first loved us.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little booklet is a phenomenal resource for understanding how the change Biblically! He approaches so many important topics that are misunderstood or overlooked, keeping people stuck in ungodly habits. I recommend for anyone as it will not only encourage you but help you encourage others when discouraged about stubborn sin habits!

[Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect much from this tiny book when I received it for Bible school. It's actually really well-written; a very solid introduction talking about how to change as a Christian, a good reminder to fully rely on the work of the Holy Spirit, the desparate state we're in without Him and a primer on the relationship between grace and the law. Really good.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little, little book is so good for any (all?) believer who is struggling to overcome sin. I know that there are fewer and fewer readers out there, but I would happily dispense this book like candy to everyone in my congregation if I knew they would read it. All 57 pages of it.

Thanks for this booklet, Jim.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good intro to indicatives and imperatives in scripture. Avoids the extremes of legalism (or moralism) and antinomianism (or "looking to Christ" and not putting forth any effort in sanctification, as some "grace" teachers have taught in recent years.) This booklet is very introductory but that is by design. It includes several helpful directions and questions for reflection at the end, along with pointing the reader to some additional resources.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great short read on how we as Christians are able to change, particularly by applying Scripture to their life situations. The change project recommended in the end of the book is excellent.

[Kayley Jordan van Wingerden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This booklet was really helpful for someone looking to change, but feels stuck. It was both practical and very encouraging, pinpointing the issue masterfully. I would recommend this short read to anyone hoping for spiritual change in their lives.

[Phanie Kei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un buen libro para recordar el poder del evangelio en nuestras vidas.

[Yerania Poliné · Rating 5 out of 5]

No puede haber cambio sin Cristo

Fácil de leer, muy claro sobre que es lo que realmente necesitamos para cambiar. Muy motivador para querer vivir para Cristo.

[gabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good, practical ways to change seated in the Bible.

[Shannon Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a jam packed little booklet that is great to read if you are trying to change and find yourself constantly failing. Right from the beginning the author addresses a Christian’s motive for change; pointing out that a Christian desires to change because of God's love for us and becoming like Christ is what glorifies God. He then goes on to explain the several different unbiblical methods of change which many people (including Christians) often turn to. He explains how the foundation for change is found in the Gospel and addresses how the motive and method for change affects the change itself. One of the best things in this book is the balance given between God’s grace and work in our lives, and our own responsibility. This is a great springboard to make you dive into scripture to accomplish genuine God glorifying change.

[Omar Linares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amplia recomendación!

Excelente libro, muy fácil de leer, practico en sus explicaciones para llevarlo a la práctica de forma inmediata!!

Felicidades por el libro