We talk as though we understand the term. The bank gives us a grace period. The seedy politician falls from grace. Musicians speak of a grace note. We describe an actress as gracious, a dancer as graceful. We use the word for hospitals, baby girls, kings, and premeal prayers. We talk as though we know what grace means.
But do we really understand it? Have we settled for wimpy grace? It politely occupies a phrase in a hymn, fits nicely on a church sign. Never causes trouble or demands a response. When asked, “Do you believe in grace?” who could say no?
Max Lucado asks a deeper question: Have you been changed by grace? Shaped by grace? Strengthened by grace? Emboldened by grace? Softened by grace? Snatched by the nape of your neck and shaken to your senses by grace?
God’s grace has a drenching about it. A wildness about it. A white-water, riptide, turn-you-upside-downness about it. Grace comes after you. It rewires you. From insecure to God secure. From regret riddled to better-because-of-it. From afraid to die to ready to fly.
Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off.
Let’s make certain grace gets you.
Pages:
240 Format:
Hardcover EAN/ISBN:
0849920701 Publisher:
Thomas Nelson
Grace is Great| Posted December 05, 2012
Grace is another in a long line of great books by Max Lucado that provide spiritual insight. The focus of this one is on grace, as per the name. It is a simple concept - God provides us grace and all we have to do is ask forgiveness and accept it. In theory, however, it can be a tough concept to grasp. Lucado does a good job of explaining grace in its many forms and providing multiple illustrations from both the Bible and real life to support his ideas. This book is a quick and easy read; Lucado does a nice job simplifying spiritual truths in his writing style.
My two favorite quotes from the book:
1. God's grace has a drenching about it. A wildness about it. A white-water, riptide, turn-you-upside-downness about it. Grace comes after you.
2. In the Chinese language the word for righteousness is a combination of two characters, the figure of a lamb and a person. The lamb is on top, covering the person. Whenever God looks down at you, this is what he sees: the perfect Lamb of God covering you.
In addition to the text, the book also contains a Reader's Guide, which is pretty thorough. Therefore, the book can also be used for Bible Studies and Small Group studies.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the concept of grace, or anyone in need of grace.
I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
