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Why Grace Changes Everything
The difference grace will make for you.... Grace.. It's a word we all love to hear. But do we all know what it means? Without it, our lives are dry and dusty. But when grace comes, it transforms our lives into something rich and beautiful. With remarkable insight gleaned from his own life, Pastor Chuck Smith unfolds the mystery of grace and reveals the surprising We can never grow in grace by our own efforts. True grace flows from the heart of the Father through the love of Jesus Christ. To know that God is for you, that He loves you, is the greatest source of security you will ever know. That is grace-and that is what makes life worth living.
177 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
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95 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 27, 2017
I read this book 15 years ago; revisiting it now was very encouraging. I wish that I paid closer attention to it the first time through.
November 20, 2018
Such a powerful book that every Christian should read at least once. I'm sure this is one that I will constantly be revisiting over and over, just to again soak in the beauty and power of this message.
Pastor Chuck does an excellent job at laying out the simple truth of the gospel. As people, we tend to overcomplicate things and make everything so much more difficult for ourselves. Yet in this book, we are reminded that God's grace is not complicated. It is so easy! He offers us peace, joy, freedom, and so much more and our only responsibility? Believing in His promise. It's that easy!
Here are a few quotes from this book that particularly stood out to me...
"We do not come on the basis of our worthiness, but on the basis of our relationship with Him. That is what the gospel of grace is all about. God looks at us as though we never committed a single trespass against Him." (p. 26)
"If through faith you have placed your eternal destiny in the loving hands of Jesus Christ, you can be sure that God is at work shaping the events and circumstances of your life into a beautiful mosaic that will reveal His Son to the men and women around you. His hand is on you, as it has been since before you were born." (p. 48)
"Any attempt at godliness that arises from our own strength is a work of the flesh and is just as detestable in God's sight as the thing we are trying not to do." (p.110-111)
"Our righteous standing before God doesn't vary with our shifting attitudes or changing moods. Our relationship with God is steady and secure because it isn't based upon our performance or us. Our relationship is predicated upon the work of Jesus Christ on our behalf." (p. 133)
Pastor Chuck does an excellent job at laying out the simple truth of the gospel. As people, we tend to overcomplicate things and make everything so much more difficult for ourselves. Yet in this book, we are reminded that God's grace is not complicated. It is so easy! He offers us peace, joy, freedom, and so much more and our only responsibility? Believing in His promise. It's that easy!
Here are a few quotes from this book that particularly stood out to me...
"We do not come on the basis of our worthiness, but on the basis of our relationship with Him. That is what the gospel of grace is all about. God looks at us as though we never committed a single trespass against Him." (p. 26)
"If through faith you have placed your eternal destiny in the loving hands of Jesus Christ, you can be sure that God is at work shaping the events and circumstances of your life into a beautiful mosaic that will reveal His Son to the men and women around you. His hand is on you, as it has been since before you were born." (p. 48)
"Any attempt at godliness that arises from our own strength is a work of the flesh and is just as detestable in God's sight as the thing we are trying not to do." (p.110-111)
"Our righteous standing before God doesn't vary with our shifting attitudes or changing moods. Our relationship with God is steady and secure because it isn't based upon our performance or us. Our relationship is predicated upon the work of Jesus Christ on our behalf." (p. 133)
June 10, 2023
I enjoyed this book and appreciated some of the key concepts Smith reviews, specifically that you are not judged by God by the amount of good works you have done nor by having followed some of the rituals of the church. This was lent to me by a friend from my nondenominational church and Smith is the founder of Calvary Church in Costa Mesa. It is a quick, inspiring read.
February 18, 2017
An amazing book. It was so good to be reading this book and applying the Word of God
to my life at the same time as hearing a lot about in
to my life at the same time as hearing a lot about in
December 15, 2013
Had I read this book at any other time of my life, it would have been just another book…
The fact that this book was the subject of our ladies' Bible study during a time in which God had begun dealing with me in this very area in a totally new way is evidence of His wonderful timing and specific guidance in my life lately.
I don't think it's possible to fully grasp the true awesomeness of God's amazing grace until you've reached a certain point of humility, surrender, and repentance that makes this unique concept come to life in a very real and practical way, but I think it is a process worth the pursuit, wherever one is at along the journey. It is worth the time and effort to try and wrap one's mind around this concept and to take steps to trust its truth. I have heard about grace all my life, but I have never truly grasped its practical application until the past several months.
And so reading this book, having been experiencing the day-to-day walk in His grace, was a blessing. Being able to share with others practical examples and experience of the concepts in the book was exciting. Grace is a very exciting reality of the Gospel! That God saves us by and calls us to simply walk by grace, through faith, and not depend on works or "living by the rules" is truly good news! And it really *does* change everything!
The only thing I didn't like about the book was that it seemed too narrow and repetitive. I understand the pursuit of simplicity with this concept; but I think instead of some of the less significant repetition, there could have been more examples or depth given to some of the concepts.
But overall, I would recommend it to anyone, especially anyone who struggles with the "typical Christian understanding" that salvation or the Christian life is about following the rules, doing the duties, not messing up, always feeling like a disappointment to God, etc… A life lived truly according to God's Word and Jesus' example is not that kind of life. It is a life of love, grace, openness, humility, forgiveness, and power. It is, above all, a personal relationship with God that brings FREEDOM.
The fact that this book was the subject of our ladies' Bible study during a time in which God had begun dealing with me in this very area in a totally new way is evidence of His wonderful timing and specific guidance in my life lately.
I don't think it's possible to fully grasp the true awesomeness of God's amazing grace until you've reached a certain point of humility, surrender, and repentance that makes this unique concept come to life in a very real and practical way, but I think it is a process worth the pursuit, wherever one is at along the journey. It is worth the time and effort to try and wrap one's mind around this concept and to take steps to trust its truth. I have heard about grace all my life, but I have never truly grasped its practical application until the past several months.
And so reading this book, having been experiencing the day-to-day walk in His grace, was a blessing. Being able to share with others practical examples and experience of the concepts in the book was exciting. Grace is a very exciting reality of the Gospel! That God saves us by and calls us to simply walk by grace, through faith, and not depend on works or "living by the rules" is truly good news! And it really *does* change everything!
The only thing I didn't like about the book was that it seemed too narrow and repetitive. I understand the pursuit of simplicity with this concept; but I think instead of some of the less significant repetition, there could have been more examples or depth given to some of the concepts.
But overall, I would recommend it to anyone, especially anyone who struggles with the "typical Christian understanding" that salvation or the Christian life is about following the rules, doing the duties, not messing up, always feeling like a disappointment to God, etc… A life lived truly according to God's Word and Jesus' example is not that kind of life. It is a life of love, grace, openness, humility, forgiveness, and power. It is, above all, a personal relationship with God that brings FREEDOM.
June 27, 2008
My church, Harvest Christian Fellowship, they give out this book for the New Believers growth class. One of my friend is happen to be in the class and lend me the book. Although I Was intellectually saved for many years, there are some part of Christianity are still difficult for me to understand. Topic such as Grace, Mercy, and the Holy spirit; and this is one of the book I would like to read and to grow spiritually.
April 14, 2012
A very thorough and well-written book on the grace of God and our one responsibility to Him which is to accept His gift. Smith has helped me to understand that even though I fall short of the mark, God still loves me and is still as close to me as He as always been.
May 25, 2012
Chuck Smith is a powerful speaker/teacher/pastor who began the Calvary Chapel movement. This book on grace changed my life forever. I didn't have a full understanding of grace until I read Chuck Smith's book Why Grace Changes Everything.
February 12, 2008
Oh this book is a must!! especially if you ever wonder where you stand in this world. This book is in my top ten to read. Talk about empowering!
July 29, 2008
Grace...and a good understanding of it does change everything.
July 6, 2009
It is the number one book all of you should Read!!! it has brought me peace like you wouldn't believe.
Want to read
November 5, 2008Heard about this on my Woman's retreat
December 12, 2008
A must read for all believers, it truly does change everything, and hlep you understand "grace" in light of scripture.
August 11, 2011
One of the first books that I read about God's incredible grace ~ started me down the path of discovery!
July 3, 2016
Great book of well- written truth telling!
August 19, 2009
great pastor and teacher
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews