The Faith-Shaped Life

by Ian Hamilton

The Christian life is a faith-shaped life. Faith is the instrument that unites us to Christ, but it is also the reality that shapes show we live in union with Christ. From beginning to end the Christian lives by faith.

The life of faith is not easy. The Christian is engaged in an unrelenting warfare with the world, the flesh and the devil. Every step forward will be contested. The one thing that wiil keep the believer on track and pressing on is moment by moment trust in God, in his word, in the goodness and perfection of his purposes, and in his exceedingly great and precious promises. 'This is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith' (1 John 5:4).

Genres: Theology, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Devotional, Christian, Christianity

156 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2013

About the author

Ian Hamilton has been minister of Cambridge Presbyterian Church since 1999. He graduated from Edinburgh University in 1979 and became the minister of Loudoun Church of Scotland, Newmilns, Ayrshire in the same year, serving there for almost twenty years. He is married to Joan, and they have four children.

Ian Hamilton is a Trustee of the Banner of Truth Trust and has preached at conferences around the world. His books include a commentary on the Letters of John, published by the Trust in the ‘Let’s Study’ series, The Faith-Shaped Life, and The Gospel-Shaped Life.

Reviews

[Michael Galdamez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic little devotional! Ian Hamilton (whom I had the pleasure to listen to several sermons from earlier this year at the Ligonier conference in Orlando) writes this devotional, perfectly blending theology into it. In my opinion (and I know I'm not alone in believing this), I think it's a waste to not pack theology into a devotional. Theology starts in the mind, and (should) go to the heart.

Great book for day by day or sporadic reading with 43 chapters, each being only a few pages each.

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm generally not much on devotional books, because they tend to be "feel-good" and shallow. That s not the case with Hamilton's little gem. The chapters are brief (43 chapters in 156 pages), but they are deep. There is much meat in this work, and Hamilton is to be thanked for this series of reflections on the role of faith in the Christian life.

[Brandi Breezee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy Ian Hamilton’s devotional type books. This one on living a life of faith, hits the mark. Faith joins us to Christ, faith determines how we live in our union with Christ, faith in Christ is the victory we have over the world, the flesh, and the devil. Christians live their lives from salvation to glorification by faith.

[Alan Rathbun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book at the beginning and toward the end. It’s filled with many helpful and clarifying nuggets for living a life of faith in Christ. I didn’t give it five stars because it seemed to wander from its main theme at some points in the second half of the book and there were several chapters were not that helpful. There are 43 small chapters in this relatively short book, so a few unnecessary chapters are not a major detriment, just enough to merit four stars instead of five. I did appreciate the honesty and humility of the book. Though the author clearly stated his commitment to reformed theology, he was humble enough to admit weaknesses within his theological tribe in living the life of grace they proclaim. I respect that. There are not many people in any theological tribe who are willing to acknowledge the weakness of their own tribe.

[Redlanternlady · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like this new to me author! He's very easy to read and I used this as a short devotional alongside my regular Bible study. It gave me enough of a meaty meditation to chew on with insights I had not heard before or hear very often in regard to how faith looks, how it should manifest and looking to Christ continually. I'd recommend it, and think it would be a great something to read in a season of weariness, brain fog or nursing baby days where you don't have a lot of brain space but need quick solid truth.

[John Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is an absolute Gem. I read it as a devotional just taking a chapter each morning. (Monday to Friday). Each day I read it, it moved me to pray more earnestly for a life shaped by faith in Jesus. Each chapter contains timeless truth's about faith in Christ but expresses them in such a way that it really awakens affections in the reader. The last chapter on the relationship between faith and good works is particularly commendable due to its succinct and robust defense of the traditional reformed understanding which is put across simply and clearly.

[Dkovlak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good book. It is a good reminder that Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ should affect every part of our lives. He covers 43 different topics in 43 chapters. Each chapter is about 3 to 4 pages long. I used each chapter as a daily devotional.

I highly recommend this book.

[Tony Houghton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ian Hamilton brings in another great, down-to-earth look at the Christian life, this time 'Faith' is in the scope. Done in a sort of devotional style, he looks through a wide range of aspects regarding the Faith Shaped Life. Well worth the daily read by any believer.

[Daniel Scragg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written devotional. Each subject is well defined and eloquently dealt with to give the reader as much value for your time as possible. Pray, read it in the morning, think about it for the rest of the day and profit greatly from the wisdom of found in these pages.

[Zack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really stellar. Bite-sized portions of a massive feast.

[Chris Comis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but also somewhat confused on some of the finer points of justification and sanctification. Great wisdom and godly advice though on practical matters.

[JAbrahamSullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bite-sized chapters which are easy and quick to read but provide deep truth to chew on.

[Adam900 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little devotional book from a godly pastor-theologian. Warm, practical Reformed piety in 43 bite-sized chapters. Pastors and laypeople, take up and read.

[Bauer Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good devotional on the nature, life of faith.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, nicely informative, makes a person think