We Will Be Changed

by Alistair Begg

Spiritual fruit is one of the marks of a true believer, but how can believers be sure they are growing spiritually, and what role do they play in the process?

Centered on the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5, this brand-new book from Alistair Begg reveals how the Holy Spirit is constantly at work to develop these qualities in the lives of God’s people. It explores how love is the foundation for all other traits, how remembering the Gospel is the key to lasting joy, and how God uses trials to develop patience and perseverance in our lives.

Throughout the book, Alistair reminds readers that lasting spiritual growth is ultimately God’s work. As believers depend on the Holy Spirit, He faithfully conforms them to the image of Christ.

Whether readers are looking for encouragement in the Christian walk or seeking to better understand God’s work of sanctification, We Will Be Changed offers fresh confidence that the Holy Spirit is faithfully completing the work He has begun.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living

Paperback

About the author

Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry since 1975. Following graduation from The London School of Theology, he served eight years in Scotland at both Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh and Hamilton Baptist Church.

In 1983, he became the senior pastor at Parkside Church near Cleveland, Ohio. He has written several books and is heard daily and weekly on the radio program, Truth For Life. The teaching on Truth For Life stems from the week by week Bible teaching at Parkside Church.

Reviews

[Tim Warke]

A truly excellent succinct and easy to read book that challenges in the right way. Not a guilt trip to be better, try harder, but a Gospel-focussed encouragement on how to see the fruit of the Spirit grow more in your life. Rather than something to do, the author constantly focuses on someone to be like. As clearly Jesus is the perfect demonstration of what the fruit of the Spirit looks like in a human life.

A section from the conclusion captures it well: "So I do not want you to finish this book resolving to be better, to do better, to work harder. Instead, I hope you are finishing this book with a desire to be more like Jesus, with the confidence that his Spirit is changing you to be like Jesus, and with an aim to keep in step with the Spirit's work in your life - to actively depend on him."

Another way he describes what a desire for the fruit of the Spirit in our lives to be like is: "Does my character make the gospel attractive, so as to make people wish they believed it?"

And he goes on to emphasise this: "What the church needs is Christians of increasingly Christ-like character, so that what is found in side the church is radically different than the world outside the church."

In each of the chapters he first encourages us to look to Jesus' life and example, how he models the different aspects of the fruit for us.

One of the messages that stood out to me is how that it is often in, through or after times of difficulty that true fruit develops in our lives. A challenging thing to hear and not something perhaps we want to hear, but I do think there is so much truth in that: "It is probably true to say that the existence of true Christian joy is evidenced more in the aftermath of a diagnosis or disappointment that it is in how we sing on a sunny Sunday morning."

Do you want to be more like Jesus? Do you want the Spirit to grow his fruit in your life? Read and digest this so helpful little book.

[Ophelia]

We Will Be Changed: 9 Inner Glories the Spirit Is Cultivating in You by Alistair Begg is a warm, clear, and deeply encouraging short book that delivers exactly what its title promises.

Begg writes with his characteristic pastoral gentleness and biblical clarity. He addresses the common frustration many Christians feel: the desire to grow more like Jesus while progress often seems slow or stalled. Instead of heaping on pressure or offering self-help tips, he points readers to the quiet, steady work of the Holy Spirit, who is actively cultivating the ninefold fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) in every believer.

The book is concise (around 112 pages) yet rich. Each chapter unpacks one aspect of that fruit with Scripture, practical insight, and the steady reminder that God saves us as we are but is not content to leave us as we are. Begg’s tone is hopeful rather than heavy-handed. He reassures readers that spiritual growth is real even when it feels invisible, and that we are partners with the Spirit rather than solitary strivers.

Particular strengths include the accessible writing style, the focus on encouragement over performance, and the clear connection between keeping in step with the Spirit and everyday Christian living. It is the kind of book you can read in a few sittings and return to for fresh perspective when discouragement creeps in.

Highly recommended for anyone who wants reassurance that God is at work transforming them day by day. A genuine 5-star read.

[Panda Incognito]

This short, encouraging book from radio host and retired pastor Alistair Begg helps readers better understand the work of the Holy Spirit to produce Christlike character. Begg explains that even though God cares about our personal holiness, sanctification comes from the power of God, not just from people trying harder in their own strength. He shares biblical passages about the work of the Holy Spirit to produce spiritual fruit, and different chapters focus on each of the fruits of the Spirit, as named in Galatians.

Christians who feel discouraged by their slow progress in spiritual growth will appreciate this book's helpful perspective, whether it is new information or a reminder of familiar truths. Begg points the reader to God, while also giving clear examples of what each fruit of the Spirit can look like in everyday life, through the slow cultivation of spiritual growth. This book feels down-to-earth and focuses on experiences that readers can relate to.

We Will Be Changed can give hope to Christians who feel discouraged over their slow growth. Begg's pastoral encouragements and biblical teaching are great for the average churchgoer, since the book never gets academic or too abstract. Readers will appreciate the brevity, conversational tone, and pastoral encouragements for everyday life.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Nitoy Gonzales]

This is a great read! At first glance on the cover and blurbs on the back it feels like it's not about the fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians. The title itself also makes it feel it is not. So it's not intimidating for a would-be reader to approach this book. Also consider the author, Alistair Begg with his gentle pastoral care for the readers with rich biblical and practical insights that truly will help readers understand and apply it. This is a short but but a heavyweight in clarity and encouragement specially as it tackles each nine fruits of the Spirit. The message Begg tries to send is sharp and penetrating to the heart of the believer and putting down this book will equip Christian refreshed and changed as they follow God.

[Steve Croft]

This is the 4th book by Pastor Begg's that Ive read (well, listened to on audible). Like the others, its deeply pastoral and biblical and as a bonus, its read by himself in his calming Scottish accent.

Its a short book on what it means to be sanctified, ie conformed. He walks us through the 9 fruits of the spirit and how they manifest in the life of a believer (more and more if you are doing it right). A great, short encouring read.

[Timmy]

“being so amazed by grace… you look at the Lord Jesus Christ and see that being like him is something you get to be, not something you have to be.”