Biblical counselors have lengthy defined that the objective of biblical counseling is sanctification.[1] We would like folks to be turned into Christ’s picture and to reframe their experiences in mild of Scripture. That is the objective of all Phrase-based ministry. Discipleship, Worship, Preaching, Prayer, and Scripture Studying all have sanctification because the objective for God’s folks. However in any activity, whether or not counseling or carpentry, we have to contemplate not solely the objective, however the mode of what we’re doing. Consider the mode because the car through which we do one thing. If I have been to chart a course to Cleveland, as I do a number of instances a yr, I might contemplate not solely the place I used to be going but in addition the mode of transportation I might take. I’d contemplate taking a airplane or renting a automotive, however both manner, like driving to Cleveland, the mode of transportation issues in counseling, not simply the vacation spot.
For instance this, I would love us to look at Psalm 27, as I consider David’s relentless pursuit of the Lord could be instructive to us as we contemplate learn how to assist folks develop in Christlikeness. In Psalm 27, what does David see as the rationale for his lack of concern? What’s David’s mode of being in his life? What’s it that evokes him when he’s hemmed in on each aspect? He writes, “I’ve requested one factor from the LORD; it’s what I want: to dwell in the home of the Lord all the times of my life, gazing on the great thing about the LORD and looking for him in his temple” (v. 4). He additionally writes, “My coronary heart says this about you: Search his face. LORD, I’ll search your face.” (v. 8). David needs to see God’s face. He seeks after it. The imagery right here is supposed to allude to Moses’ seeing God nose to nose within the tent of assembly and seeing God’s glory on Mount Sinai, and it echoes the Aaronic blessing promised in Deuteronomy 31:6.[2] It’s the factor that breathes peace into David’s tumult and is the singular pursuit of his life. He needs to see God’s face.
For us, on this aspect of the cross, God’s face has been proven. I can’t assist however suppose that Paul, writing 2 Corinthians 4:6, had this in thoughts. He wrote, “For God who mentioned, ‘Let mild shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to provide the sunshine of the data of God’s glory within the face of Jesus Christ.”[3] That is the mode of biblical counseling. That is the how. We present our counselees Christ in order that they could see His face extra clearly and by that clearer imaginative and prescient of Christ, be made like Him (1 John 3:2).
Gazing on Christ
On this Psalm, we not solely have this singular pursuit of David’s, however we additionally see what comes of that pursuit. What does the pursuit of gazing on God’s magnificence within the face of Christ do? First, it brings shelter and luxury. When David wished existential consolation, he seemed to Yahweh. A view of God’s magnificence, worshiping in God’s temple, introduced an inside consolation—a shelter within the midst of the inner storm of concern. God’s guarantees and character are a balm and luxury when he wanted it most. After we present our counselees Christ and what He has accomplished for us and thru the Spirit is at present doing for us, we’re sheltered underneath His wing. We’re comforted, even within the midst of immense struggling.
Second, gazing on Christ brings assist and hope. David’s hope in Yahweh is just not merely existential; it was tangible and bodily. He noticed God, and the pursuit of His face was a connection to his being bodily delivered. David was hemmed in by his enemies and wanted to be finally delivered from them. Hope comes from an assurance of God’s motion for us. David knew that God would present up and ship him from his enemies, and his hope was stirred as he sought God’s face. In counseling, a transparent imaginative and prescient of Christ comes packaged with a transparent imaginative and prescient for Christ’s work. His previous work on the cross grants us all the advantages of sonship as we’re united to Him. A imaginative and prescient of His present work in us via the Holy Spirit reveals that we aren’t left to fend for ourselves, however are given the power and energy to hunt the Lord with all our hearts. A imaginative and prescient for Christ’s future redemption, when He’ll make all His enemies a footstool. No drawback that our counselees face can be unaffected or fall outdoors of Christ’s work. As they see Christ’s face extra clearly, hope will blossom of their coronary heart and assist can be clearly seen.
Third, gazing on Christ brings about obedience. David looking for God’s face was additionally about obedience. It was about seeing the way in which ahead via this troublesome time. David writes, “Due to my adversaries, present me your manner, Lord, and lead me on a degree path” (v. 11). David is requesting knowledge as he’s within the midst of complicated and troublesome circumstances. God’s manner wasn’t readily obvious. He wanted to hunt God’s face to know what “the Lord’s manner” was. After we supply a transparent imaginative and prescient of Christ in counseling, it isn’t merely heart-centric; it’s centrifugal. The center of Christ within the believer works its manner out in a clever coronary heart of religion that seeks the Lord’s manner in addition to the Lord’s coronary heart.
Lastly, David ends the Psalm by stating “Look ahead to the Lord; be sturdy and let your coronary heart be brave. Look ahead to the Lord” (v. 14). Providing Christ is just not a magic tablet for fast change. David had a class for looking for God’s face after which ready patiently. We needs to be courageously affected person and patiently brave. Endurance is tough for us who wish to see change. We would like so badly for our counselees to be extra like Christ; it takes braveness to attend. However, we must also be brave. We should say laborious issues. We needs to be affected person with our counselees, however not on the expense of the clever phrase within the second. So, wait on the Lord, and supply your counselees Christ, in order that they could see His face and be made into His picture.
Conclusion
As we search to honor the Lord in counseling biblically, we should always contemplate that whereas sanctification is the objective of biblical counseling, the mode is providing Christ because the remedy of the soul. As we provide a imaginative and prescient of God within the face of Christ, one thing occurs. Samuel Parkinson says that “A obligatory relationship between the holiness of the viewer and the holiness of his objects is unavoidable.”[4] He implies that to gaze on God and His magnificence makes us into what God is (holy). As we help folks with varied points and assist them progress of their religion, I pray that we are going to supply them a transparent imaginative and prescient of Christ as the way in which to realize that objective.
Questions for Reflection
- How central is Jesus to your counseling methodology?
- As you put together for counseling, what are some methods you can plan to carry Jesus’ magnificence to your counselee?
- How has experiencing Christ’s magnificence modified your perspective on life?
[1] Robert Jones, Kristin Kellen, Rob Inexperienced, The Gospel for Disordered Lives: An Introduction to Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling, (Grand Rapids, B&H, 2021), 19-20.
[2] See, John Calvin, Calvin’s Commentaries: IV, Joshua, Psalm 1-33, (Grand Rapids, Baker, 2005), 454. And James Hamilton, Psalms: Quantity I: Psalms 1-72, (Bellingham, WA, Lexham Tutorial, 2021), 332.
[3] See Dane Ortlund, Expositor’s Commentary: Quantity X: Romans – Galatians, (Wheaton, IL, Crossway, 2020), 455. for an instance of a commentator making this connection.
[4] Samuel Parksinson, To Gaze Upon God: The Beatific Imaginative and prescient in Doctrine, Custom, and Observe, (Downers Grove, IL, IVP, 2024), 195.
