Five Ways to Change

This “Five Ways to Change” graphic illustrates a biblical and holistic view of change by showing how God integrates multiple contexts and opportunities to mature us into Christlikeness. This perspective opposes the incomplete “let go and let God” worldview, which implies that change is entirely passive. While it’s true that God is sovereign and must grant repentance (2 Timothy 2:25), the process of change requires our participation. We are secondary causal agents in the change process, actively responding to God’s work in our lives.

James 2:17 reminds us that faith without works is dead, and Philippians 2:12-13 calls us to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you.” This cooperative effort demonstrates that true faith manifests in active engagement with God’s will. Each element in the graphic shows how God uses His ordained means to transform us. Working from the foundation up:

1: The Trinity as the Primary Change Agent
The Trinity is the foundation for any lasting change. God the Father orchestrates every event in our lives, the Son secures our salvation and models perfect obedience, and the Spirit empowers us, illuminating Scripture, convicting us of sin, and producing the fruit of righteousness (Galatians 5:22-23). Without the Trinity, there would be no hope for transformation because all power for change originates with God.

2: The Bible as Our Guide
The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself, providing clarity and instruction for how to live in His world. It equips us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and reveals the mind of God so that we may imitate Him (Ephesians 5:1). Through Scripture, we understand how to love God, love others, and reflect His image more accurately.

3: Ourselves as Active Participants
We must actively participate in God’s story by responding to His grace through obedience. This means confessing our sins, repenting, and aligning our thoughts and actions with His Word. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:27, “I discipline my body and keep it under control,” emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility in the sanctification process.

4: The Role of People
God designed the body of Christ to help us grow (Ephesians 4:15-16). The New Testament contains dozens of “one another” commands, such as encouraging, exhorting, forgiving, and bearing with one another. These commands highlight the importance of community in the change process. God uses relationships to refine us and to help us grow in love and humility.

5: The Role of Events
God providentially uses the circumstances of our lives—whether trials, blessings, or everyday moments—to conform us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-29). Joseph’s declaration in Genesis 50:20 is a classic example: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” Events are the classroom in which we practice trusting God and applying His Word.

Together, these five elements reveal the comprehensive nature of discipleship and change. If we neglect any of these means, we diminish the process of sanctification, much like attempting to build a house without the proper materials or tools.

Case Study: Biff’s Misunderstanding of Change

Biff’s Belief System
Biff believes that if God wants him to change, God will do all the work. He adopts a passive “let go and let God” mindset, assuming that his lack of transformation is God’s fault rather than his own failure to engage in the change process. Biff neglects his role as a secondary causal agent and ignores the comprehensive means God provides for sanctification.

Biff’s perspective is like attempting to build a house with only a foundation. While the foundation (God’s sovereignty) is critical, a complete structure requires walls, a roof, and other essential components. Without these, the house remains unfinished and uninhabitable. Similarly, Biff’s narrow understanding of change results in spiritual stagnation.

How Biff Must Change

1: Acknowledge God’s Sovereignty and His Role in Change
Biff must first recognize that God is the primary change agent. God grants repentance and orchestrates every aspect of life for our good and His glory. However, Biff must also understand that God works through means, such as Scripture, community, and circumstances. He must trust God’s plan while taking responsibility for his response to God’s work.

2: Engage with Scripture
Biff should immerse himself in God’s Word, allowing it to renew his mind and direct his path (Romans 12:2; Psalm 119:105). Through Scripture, he will gain a clearer understanding of God’s will and practical steps for obedience.

3: Actively Participate in the Change Process
Biff needs to discipline himself for godliness (1 Timothy 4:7). This response means confessing his sin, repenting, and making deliberate choices to align his actions with God’s Word. For example, if Biff struggles with anger, he must not only pray for God’s help but also seek to replace sinful thoughts with biblical truths about patience and love.

4: Engage with Others
Biff must humble himself and invite others into his life to hold him accountable, encourage him, and speak truth into his struggles. He needs to engage with his local church and develop meaningful relationships that foster growth and maturity.

5: Recognize the Role of Events
Finally, Biff must learn to see his life circumstances as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles to overcome. Whether through trials or blessings, God is shaping him to reflect Christ. Biff must embrace these moments with gratitude and a teachable heart, asking, “What is God teaching me here?” rather than resisting the process.

Biff’s perspective is a common misunderstanding of how God works in the sanctification process. The graphic serves as a helpful reminder that change is comprehensive, involving God’s sovereignty and our active participation. When Biff aligns his thoughts with the truth that change involves the Trinity, Scripture, his own efforts, relationships, and life events, he will experience the transforming power of God in every area of his life. Faith without works is dead, but when Biff activates his faith, God will use His means to produce the fruit of righteousness in him.

Find all our graphics here.

Peace,
Rick