Paul David Tripp has attempted to write a book that addresses the emptiness and meaningless that life often brings. He begins by pointing out that each individual has been created to be a part of something bigger than themselves. He states, "There is woven inside of us a desire for something more-a craving to be part of something bigger, greater, and more profound than our relatively meaningless day-by-day existence." He uses this as the launch point to discuss that each individuals purpose is tied to God's glory. This forms the foundation for his discussion that sin has wrecked havoc in a persons heart and therefore purpose and meaning is sought apart from God's glory.
In chapters three thru seven Tripp discusses how sin affects the individual in attempting to create their own purpose and meaning. He notes that these affects are most often seen in each individual building their own little kingdom rather than being a part of God's kindgom. He notes, "The little kingdom is a way of living that will shape the way I respond to everything God has placed in my life. Little kingdom living turns life into an endless search for earthly treasures and an unending focus on personal need."
Tripp points out that not only do people attempt to build little kingdoms but often times in the process build civilizations. And the primary civilization is a civilization of self. The characteristics of the civilization of self are: self-focus, self-righteousness, self-satisfaction, self-reliance, and self-rule, and self-glorification. The civilization discussion ends by pointing out that the work of Christ destroys the cycle of civilization building.
Tripp's final kingdom discussion is the costume kingdom. In short, the costume kingdom consist of externally living for the kingdom of God but internally the kingdom of self is the driving force. He states, "It is quite possible for you to be convinced that you are living for the transcendent glories of the kingdom of God when you are, in fact, living for yourself."
Tripps discussion in chapters eight thru seventeen are built around a life that is centered on living with Christ at the center. He states, "In the little kingdom, self is always at the center. In the big kingdom, the kingdom of God, the center is the one place self can never be. The fundamental difference between the two kingdoms can be seen in who resides in the center."
Tripp moves toward the end of the book with a discussion regarding the death of the self. He states, "In calling us to die, Christ is actually rescuing us from death and giving us real life." This is the beginning point for Tripps discussion of living with Christ at the center which is characterized by: groaning, harmony, forgiveness, anticipation, sacrifice, anger, and hope. In each characterization Tripp connects how Christ overcomes the desire to live for self.
The book is very readable and enjoyable. Tripp does a wonderful job of getting to the inner crevice of heart issues. He does not hold anything back. He recognizes the decetifulness and wickedness of the human heart, whether it be a believer or a non-believer. Tripp upholds Christ as the only hope to overcome the sinful heart of an individual. He states, "Only love for Christ has the power to incapacitate the sturdy love for self that is the bane of every sinner, and only the grace of Christ has the power to produce that love." I would recommend this book to any reader.
In chapters three thru seven Tripp discusses how sin affects the individual in attempting to create their own purpose and meaning. He notes that these affects are most often seen in each individual building their own little kingdom rather than being a part of God's kindgom. He notes, "The little kingdom is a way of living that will shape the way I respond to everything God has placed in my life. Little kingdom living turns life into an endless search for earthly treasures and an unending focus on personal need."
Tripp points out that not only do people attempt to build little kingdoms but often times in the process build civilizations. And the primary civilization is a civilization of self. The characteristics of the civilization of self are: self-focus, self-righteousness, self-satisfaction, self-reliance, and self-rule, and self-glorification. The civilization discussion ends by pointing out that the work of Christ destroys the cycle of civilization building.
Tripp's final kingdom discussion is the costume kingdom. In short, the costume kingdom consist of externally living for the kingdom of God but internally the kingdom of self is the driving force. He states, "It is quite possible for you to be convinced that you are living for the transcendent glories of the kingdom of God when you are, in fact, living for yourself."
Tripps discussion in chapters eight thru seventeen are built around a life that is centered on living with Christ at the center. He states, "In the little kingdom, self is always at the center. In the big kingdom, the kingdom of God, the center is the one place self can never be. The fundamental difference between the two kingdoms can be seen in who resides in the center."
Tripp moves toward the end of the book with a discussion regarding the death of the self. He states, "In calling us to die, Christ is actually rescuing us from death and giving us real life." This is the beginning point for Tripps discussion of living with Christ at the center which is characterized by: groaning, harmony, forgiveness, anticipation, sacrifice, anger, and hope. In each characterization Tripp connects how Christ overcomes the desire to live for self.
The book is very readable and enjoyable. Tripp does a wonderful job of getting to the inner crevice of heart issues. He does not hold anything back. He recognizes the decetifulness and wickedness of the human heart, whether it be a believer or a non-believer. Tripp upholds Christ as the only hope to overcome the sinful heart of an individual. He states, "Only love for Christ has the power to incapacitate the sturdy love for self that is the bane of every sinner, and only the grace of Christ has the power to produce that love." I would recommend this book to any reader.
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