These questions and more are answered in this insightful new book.  Fitzpatrick and Johnson point to Christ as the central person, the cross and gospel as the central message, and our love for them are the motivations to true and lasting spiritual life changes.

 

In a world of secular psychology and even Christian counseling, the motivation for change is very often just a horizontal motivation.  People change because it will benefit themselves the most. Love of self and sometimes others is the compelling theme that motivates and produces the energy for change. The quest for pleasure and happiness seem to be the force behind much of today’s hedonistic philosophy of life.

 

Understanding God’s deep love for His people is the primary understanding that should motivate believers. God’s love is central to the gospel message. It gives us great hope and encourages us to move on to maturity in our Christian walk. Not until the sinner looks vertically and sees God’s love correctly will the driving forces of the gospel bring changes into his life that glorifies the God who created him.