Titus 2:11-15 , Ephesians 2:8-10, Colossians 1: 24-29, 2 Corinthians 5:14-20
The very heart and foundation of our faith is grace. We are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-10) and it is this grace, and our justification, which should inform our every thought and action, as individuals and as counselors or ministers. We have been saved—justification (Titus 2:11). We are being saved—sanctification (Titus 2:12). We will be saved—glorification (Titus 2:13). As counselors, we can intervene in the process of sanctification. Paul states in Colossians 1:28 that his proclaiming, admonishing, and teaching (counseling) was for the purpose of Christian maturity (i.e., sanctification).
As our textbook author Larry Crabb (1977) states, counseling must reflect God’s acceptance of the justified sinner. We must first be living a grace-informed existence before we are able to engage in grace-informed counseling/ministering. We must first have been captured by the love of our Savior, before we can know what His healing, restoring, life-saving grace can offer to those in need.
Paul writes, “For the love of God constrains us” (2 Corinthians 5:14). How wonderful to be pulled in, held close, bound to, and motivated by the love of God! It is he “who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). And how wonderful to be given the instruction to share the love He has given to us. May we never forget the source of all hope, love and peace as we join with others in the humbling and redeeming process of healing, change, and sanctification.
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