What do you think?
Rate this book
Becoming Like Jesus: The Everyday Journey to Living a Life of Holiness
Jesus didn't come to find perfect people. Instead, He came to find those hungry for His presence and willing to be transformed into His image.
We often fall into the trap of thinking the Christian life should be a steady climb upward—like a growth line that goes only up and to the right on a graph. We imagine that when we truly follow Jesus, our lives should be free of spiritual failure and full of constant victory. But the reality of walking with God is often much messier. It is a lifelong process of progressive sanctification, where the Holy Spirit uses our ups and downs—our triumphs and our tears—to shape us. God isn't looking for a polished version of you; He is calling you into a deep, transforming relationship where He uses every season to mold you into who He created you to be.
In Becoming Like Jesus, Matt Chandler explores the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 to reveal exactly what this transformation looks like. These famous verses are not a list of impossible moral standards you must achieve to earn God's love. Rather, they are a beautiful description of the character Christ is forming in you by His grace. Jesus wasn't describing eight different groups of people but one disciple who is being remade from the inside out.
This book is a guide for anyone tired of striving in their own strength and ready to surrender to the Spirit's work. Through these pages, you will learn how
Recognize your spiritual bankruptcy and deepen your dependence on God's grace.Process grief and mourning in a way that leads to divine comfort.Trade the need for control for a spirit of meekness and strength.Cultivate a desperate hunger for righteousness over worldly satisfaction.Extend radical mercy to others flowing from the mercy you have received.Pursue a pure and undivided heart that sees God clearly.Become a peacemaker who brings reconciliation to broken situations.Find joy and endurance even when you face persecution for your faith.Wherever you find yourself today, be encouraged that God is not intimidated by your imperfections. He is actively at work in your life, using every circumstance to fulfill His calling. Dive into Becoming Like Jesus and discover the joy of being shaped, day by day, into the image of the Son.
We often fall into the trap of thinking the Christian life should be a steady climb upward—like a growth line that goes only up and to the right on a graph. We imagine that when we truly follow Jesus, our lives should be free of spiritual failure and full of constant victory. But the reality of walking with God is often much messier. It is a lifelong process of progressive sanctification, where the Holy Spirit uses our ups and downs—our triumphs and our tears—to shape us. God isn't looking for a polished version of you; He is calling you into a deep, transforming relationship where He uses every season to mold you into who He created you to be.
In Becoming Like Jesus, Matt Chandler explores the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 to reveal exactly what this transformation looks like. These famous verses are not a list of impossible moral standards you must achieve to earn God's love. Rather, they are a beautiful description of the character Christ is forming in you by His grace. Jesus wasn't describing eight different groups of people but one disciple who is being remade from the inside out.
This book is a guide for anyone tired of striving in their own strength and ready to surrender to the Spirit's work. Through these pages, you will learn how
Recognize your spiritual bankruptcy and deepen your dependence on God's grace.Process grief and mourning in a way that leads to divine comfort.Trade the need for control for a spirit of meekness and strength.Cultivate a desperate hunger for righteousness over worldly satisfaction.Extend radical mercy to others flowing from the mercy you have received.Pursue a pure and undivided heart that sees God clearly.Become a peacemaker who brings reconciliation to broken situations.Find joy and endurance even when you face persecution for your faith.Wherever you find yourself today, be encouraged that God is not intimidated by your imperfections. He is actively at work in your life, using every circumstance to fulfill His calling. Dive into Becoming Like Jesus and discover the joy of being shaped, day by day, into the image of the Son.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2026
About the author
Matt Chandler
75 books802 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Matt Chandler is the lead pastor of The Village Church, a multi-campus church in the Dallas metroplex of over 10,000 people. His sermons are among the topselling (free) podcasts on itunes and he speaks at conferences worldwide. Prior to accepting the pastorate at The Village, Matt had a vibrant itinerant ministry for over ten years where he spoke to hundreds of thousands of people in America and abroad about the glory of God and beauty of Jesus. He lives in Texas with his wife, Lauren, and their three children: Audrey, Reid and Norah.
Matt Chandler is the lead pastor of The Village Church, a multi-campus church in the Dallas metroplex of over 10,000 people. His sermons are among the topselling (free) podcasts on itunes and he speaks at conferences worldwide. Prior to accepting the pastorate at The Village, Matt had a vibrant itinerant ministry for over ten years where he spoke to hundreds of thousands of people in America and abroad about the glory of God and beauty of Jesus. He lives in Texas with his wife, Lauren, and their three children: Audrey, Reid and Norah.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
Read
October 9, 2026A great everyday guide through the Beatitudes.
I particularly liked the chapters on Mercy, Purity of Heart, Peacemaking, and Community.
Mercy gives me the courage to forgive when I don’t want to.
Purity is to be vulnerable so that our devotions can be reordered.
Peacemaking is a a bloody and scar filled way that we embody and follow after our Risen Lord
AND to not go it alone, but to keep going with others ❤️
I particularly liked the chapters on Mercy, Purity of Heart, Peacemaking, and Community.
Mercy gives me the courage to forgive when I don’t want to.
Purity is to be vulnerable so that our devotions can be reordered.
Peacemaking is a a bloody and scar filled way that we embody and follow after our Risen Lord
AND to not go it alone, but to keep going with others ❤️
September 22, 2026
Read and then reread. And probably will read again. This was one of those books that was a “right place, necessary time.” The Lord be knowin’. Our sanctification journey isn’t an “up and to the right” climb. It’s often revisiting the same struggles with God depending His work in us. Like a horizontal coil. Jesus is committed to forming us over time - hence the Beatitudes. If you read this - please tell me so we can unpack together!
June 13, 2026
After listening to the audiobook, I realize I have to buy a physical copy- my notebook looks like I tried to copy the whole book! I couldn't write down Chandler's wisdom fast enough and know I missed too many good nuggets. Grab a copy, some highlighters, your favorite pen, and maybe some post-its, we've got heart work to do!
Becoming Like Jesus begins with a thorough Bible study through The Beatitudes from Matthew 5:1-12, but the book is so much more than just a Sunday sermon. Chandler uses the whole Bible to refine readers into a clearer picture of Jesus with his real and raw personal experiences, that make us feel safe enough to open our own hearts for vulnerable introspection.
The audiobook is a bit of a sanctifying firehouse: the personally applicable Truths, conviction, and hope just kept coming! Chandler lovingly floods readers with weighty tidbits of wisdom and life changing advice. I am thankful to have the audiobook so I can listen again and again in the car, at home, and to lull me to sleep.
Some notable quotes:
"The beatitudes are not for the ambitious, but for the yielded."
Seeing sin more clearly (is sanctification).
"... back in the 1900's" ☠️
"The eyes of God aren't those of a judge, but the eyes of a physician."
"Real peacemaking risks pain... We don't enter conflict because we like it, we enter because Jesus entered ours."
"Comfort isn't wrong, but ... we become people who keep the peace at all by cost. Peacemakers don't keep the peace, they make it."
"Joy isn't escapism, it's defiance."
"God doesn't microwave saints, he slow roasts them."
Thank you to HCCP & HCF Audio and NetGalley for this ARC!
Becoming Like Jesus begins with a thorough Bible study through The Beatitudes from Matthew 5:1-12, but the book is so much more than just a Sunday sermon. Chandler uses the whole Bible to refine readers into a clearer picture of Jesus with his real and raw personal experiences, that make us feel safe enough to open our own hearts for vulnerable introspection.
The audiobook is a bit of a sanctifying firehouse: the personally applicable Truths, conviction, and hope just kept coming! Chandler lovingly floods readers with weighty tidbits of wisdom and life changing advice. I am thankful to have the audiobook so I can listen again and again in the car, at home, and to lull me to sleep.
Some notable quotes:
"The beatitudes are not for the ambitious, but for the yielded."
Seeing sin more clearly (is sanctification).
"... back in the 1900's" ☠️
"The eyes of God aren't those of a judge, but the eyes of a physician."
"Real peacemaking risks pain... We don't enter conflict because we like it, we enter because Jesus entered ours."
"Comfort isn't wrong, but ... we become people who keep the peace at all by cost. Peacemakers don't keep the peace, they make it."
"Joy isn't escapism, it's defiance."
"God doesn't microwave saints, he slow roasts them."
Thank you to HCCP & HCF Audio and NetGalley for this ARC!
September 2, 2026
A very deep book of what really means to be like Lord Jesus and how He is faithful and the incredible way He will change you if you let Him!
August 12, 2026
A must read
August 22, 2026
Finishing this book drinking polite coffee with my wife in front of me was a sweet end to a book that added so much fuel to my journey with Jesus. Reading through hundreds of pages to be reminded at every turn to not grow weary of doing good is just what I need. I’m also just reflecting that we must know Jesus and who He’s made us to be. Live out the kingdom, live as He guides us, and know every season has purpose. Thankful for this read and recommend it to all, especially those whose seasons like more like fall and winter than summer and spring.
July 25, 2026
I read this book with my Bible Study group. I definitely enjoyed the experience of reading this book with community. It was helpful to process all that I had read and get others’ perspectives to enrich my experience as well. This book really helped me understand the Beatitudes and the journey of the our sanctification journey in a much richer and fuller way.
I enjoyed how easy to read this book was and the way it was laid out was really helpful. His concept of a flat coil rather than a stair case going up for the path of spiritual growth really helped me change the way I see my own journey. It’s not that I am going backwards it’s that God is taking it deeper. I enjoyed the way he also took us to the roots of some of the original Aramaic words in the Beatitudes, it definitely helped me understand the meaning of some of them. The last chapter, I felt could have been a book in and of itself, so many good things there for us. Overall, I really enjoyed this book!
I recommend this book if you are looking for a book to encourage you on the seasons of our spiritual journey and the different aspects that we will constantly be working throughout our lives. There is a Bible Study to accompany the book, though I did not use that resource, but my group enjoyed working through it together.
I enjoyed how easy to read this book was and the way it was laid out was really helpful. His concept of a flat coil rather than a stair case going up for the path of spiritual growth really helped me change the way I see my own journey. It’s not that I am going backwards it’s that God is taking it deeper. I enjoyed the way he also took us to the roots of some of the original Aramaic words in the Beatitudes, it definitely helped me understand the meaning of some of them. The last chapter, I felt could have been a book in and of itself, so many good things there for us. Overall, I really enjoyed this book!
I recommend this book if you are looking for a book to encourage you on the seasons of our spiritual journey and the different aspects that we will constantly be working throughout our lives. There is a Bible Study to accompany the book, though I did not use that resource, but my group enjoyed working through it together.
August 30, 2026
I love Matt Chandler and was excited to read this book, but I don’t know if this book said anything that hasn’t been said before. If you’re looking for a book filled with personal short stories, illustrations, and famous quotes, this book is for you. I think I was hoping to read something more about Jesus.
October 11, 2026
Matt Chandler takes a unique look at the Beatitudes as a blueprint for becoming more like Jesus. He outlines an approach of cycling through each blessing in an ongoing, lifelong faith journey that continues to move us closer to our Lord and Savior. I will read this book again in the future as a terrific resource for getting back to Christian basics.
August 19, 2026
If I could give this 10 stars I would! Highly recommend. I’ll be reading this one again. Best book I’ve read this year.
June 29, 2026
I initially wanted to read/listen to this book because I thought it would be good for me. Good for my brain, good for my heart, good for my soul. I was not wrong. But I didn’t expect it to grip me or be as engaging as it was. Read by the author. So so good. 5 ⭐️ for Christian nonfiction
May 31, 2026
Becoming Like Jesus by Matt Chandler ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an excellent walk through the Beatitudes. It was a very practical and biblical explanation. It definitely shows how these teachings of Jesus are meant to shape our everyday lives. The author does a great job of explaining difficult concepts in a way that is easy to understand while still challenging readers to grow in their faith. I really enjoy his books and this is another one I know I will come back to.
This was an excellent walk through the Beatitudes. It was a very practical and biblical explanation. It definitely shows how these teachings of Jesus are meant to shape our everyday lives. The author does a great job of explaining difficult concepts in a way that is easy to understand while still challenging readers to grow in their faith. I really enjoy his books and this is another one I know I will come back to.
May 7, 2026
Matt Chandler’s Becoming Like Jesus is outstanding. The content is genuinely top-notch—deeply biblical, convicting, and practical. Chandler does an excellent job unpacking what it actually looks like to be conformed to the image of Christ in everyday life. I walked away encouraged and challenged.
The writing can feel a bit choppy at times, and some of the stories feel slightly forced or tangential, but those are minor distractions that don’t detract from the overall power of the book. Highly recommend it for anyone serious about spiritual growth. Worth every minute.
The writing can feel a bit choppy at times, and some of the stories feel slightly forced or tangential, but those are minor distractions that don’t detract from the overall power of the book. Highly recommend it for anyone serious about spiritual growth. Worth every minute.
May 11, 2026
This book felt like it was around 50 to 60 pages too long; that's about when I tired of the longwindedness but I pressed on. So much of the content of this book felt like it was written to be quotable, if that makes sense. While the idea of of viewing sanctification as a coil was interesting, although not radically different from other analogies, little else in this book felt fresh.
I had previously read Chandler's The Overcomers and I remember coming away from it similarly. I donated that book shortly after I finished, seeing no real re-readability to it. I'll be passing this book on, as well, and will probably skip future releases from Chandler. It seems like he's on a trajectory, like a lot of "celebrity" pastors, to release a book every couple years. Personally, I think that I've had my fill of these sort of "Pop Christian" books.
I had previously read Chandler's The Overcomers and I remember coming away from it similarly. I donated that book shortly after I finished, seeing no real re-readability to it. I'll be passing this book on, as well, and will probably skip future releases from Chandler. It seems like he's on a trajectory, like a lot of "celebrity" pastors, to release a book every couple years. Personally, I think that I've had my fill of these sort of "Pop Christian" books.
July 17, 2026
Over ten years ago I did a couple of Bible studies with Lauren Chandler (Matt's wife) which helped me grow spiritually. I heard of Matt's book on a podcast, in fact he was the guest that day. After the podcast was over I immediately bought the book knowing it was going to be great! I wasn't disappointed.
Being a Christian isn't easy, there are hills and valleys. It takes courage, perseverance and you must make the choice everyday to walk the path.
Matt takes the beatitudes and explains, gives personal examples followed by scripture and tells us how they apply to our Christian walk and spiritual growth.
I highlighted almost the entire book. I am going to get the audio and listen and read together. This book will kindle a fire in you! Highly recommend!
Favorite for 2926. ❤️
Being a Christian isn't easy, there are hills and valleys. It takes courage, perseverance and you must make the choice everyday to walk the path.
Matt takes the beatitudes and explains, gives personal examples followed by scripture and tells us how they apply to our Christian walk and spiritual growth.
I highlighted almost the entire book. I am going to get the audio and listen and read together. This book will kindle a fire in you! Highly recommend!
Favorite for 2926. ❤️
August 17, 2026
A really encouraging book for me to be reminded of the long journey of abiding with Jesus. It’s worth holding on. It’s worth pressing in. By far, my favorite chapters were 9 and 10- peacemakers and persecuted for righteousness.
Some of his writing is choppy at times so there were a few moments where I struggled to follow him.
Some of his writing is choppy at times so there were a few moments where I struggled to follow him.
Read
August 26, 2026“What if I told you that becoming like Jesus is more like a coil laid horizontally…, where every high and every low is moving you forward and being used by God to transform you into the blessed people we read about in the Beatitudes?”, p. 12
June 24, 2026
Great audiobook! A bit repetitive, but my guess is that was intentional. It was encouraging to be reminded of the long, slow, and glorious work of God making his people more and more like Jesus.
July 24, 2026
what good and beautiful reminders that a life following after Jesus is so wildly worth it
July 24, 2026
Wow. Just so incredibly good. Will be going on my “read this periodically over and over” list.
August 13, 2026
Listened. The book breaks down the beatitudes. Would have preferred to read a hard copy to retain more and write things down. There were some good thought provoking points.
October 4, 2026
Going into fav books I’ve ever read category !! This book felt like an exhale & invitation to release & abide. It reminded me that I don’t have to live up or earn anything with the Lord, I have no power to become any of these things on my own. But tethered to Him, I am becoming what He wants me to be. That no matter if I’m experiencing highs or lows, it is all pushing me forward towards God & being used to transform me.
Finishing this book feeling thankful for the undeserved grace & kindness & forgiveness & patience I have received from the Lord and amazed that He keeps me & continues to conform me to His image in ways I can’t always notice or appreciate. “Becoming like Jesus is not marked by perfection, but by perseverance.”
Walking through the beatitudes, it was cool how Matt Chandler explained that “these are not eight different kinds of people; they are eight things Jesus is committed to growing in each of our lives” and “Jesus didn’t come to find these kinds of people but rather to make them over time.” That feels comforting to me and frees my mind from the agenda/time table I feel like I have sometimes. God’s timing is perfect! I don’t want to miss the formation!
Fav words (there are a lot #sorry this is for my memory)
🚘 “I know at times we can feel abandoned or alone, and maybe that's how you feel holding this book right now, but feelings make beautiful passengers and terrible drivers."
🌀Horizontal coil - every high & low moving you forward and being used by God to transform you
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit :
“This isn’t regression, it’s refinement. We don’t graduate from our need; we just come to recognize it more quickly & surrender to it more deeply”
“He delights in your becoming”
“It takes pride to be anxious — I am not wise enough to know how my life should go”
2. Blessed are those who mourn :
“His presence comforts us now — but His promises give us strength for the journey ahead.”
“God is accomplishing things in our souls. He's not wasting our mourning. He redeems our sorrow, using it to shape us, grow us, & reveal His goodness"
3. Blessed are the meek :
"To grow in humility requires us to receive the confrontation, submit to the power of God to conform us, and strive toward the promises of God in Jesus Christ."
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness:
“Right relatedness means we come to Him with empty hands, knowing we can’t perform our way into His favor, but we long to live in His presence and underneath His rule. That longing, that hunger is the beginning of satisfaction.”
“You can’t rightly love others if you despise yourself, nor can you walk in righteousness if your identify is built on shame, performance, or comparison.”
5. Blessed are the merciful :
Being merciful is not a personality trait, it’s a gospel product.
At its core mercy is about seeing others through the lens of what you’ve received from God: unearned kindness, costly forgiveness, undeserved welcome. The gospel breaks the back of self righteousness by confronting us with just how spiritually bankrupt we are apart from Christ.
Mercy begins with not just seeing the wrongs done but the image of God in the one who wronged you. We give mercy not because someone deserves it but because we’ve been shaped by a mercy we could never deserve ourselves.
Mercy is hard. It runs against every instinct of self preservation, pride, and pain. Mercy costs you something… And when you have been deeply wounded, mercy can feel like betrayal, as if showing kindness to the one who hurt you is somehow minimizing what they did… It’s in this moment that we must look back to the cross and the agony of Jesus as He moved toward us while we were at our worst.
Mercy doesn’t ignore the offense, it acknowledges it and still chooses to bless.
Mercy goes against our deep longing for fairness and accountability. When someone wounds us, everything in us cries out for repayment, for balance to be restored. But mercy disrupts that equation by offering release instead of revenge. It feels like letting someone off the hook, especially when they show no remorse or when the damage is lasting. Mercy seems to ignore the pain and skip over justice- but in truth, it entrusts justice to God, who sees and will make all things right…Mercy feels unjust until we remember how unjust grace was for us.
Mercy does not deny the wound; it chooses to absorb it for the sake of love.
Mercy flows from mercy… the more we extend it, the more we understand it. Mercy multiplies. Mercy received becomes mercy given!
6. Blessed are the pure in heart :
"to be pure in heart is to have no duplicity, mixed motives, or secret life walled off from the light of God's presence"
“You don’t become pure by learning more about facts. You become pure when your affections are reordered. When what you want begins to shift because who you love begins to deepen. That’s what makes spiritual formation more than education.”
"This is why the fragmented soul finds no rest. Living multiple lives creation tension the soul was never meant to bear. We might impress others, but we cannot find peace in pretense. And the God who sees through every version of us offers the very wholeness we're pretending to have.”
“The refusal to be known is the refusal to be healed” - ray ortlund
7. Blessed are the peacemakers :
The peacemaker has been brought to peace by the blood of the cross (Colossians 1:20) and now carries that cross into every relational war zone
When we make peace, we are never more like Him… Jesus’ ministry was a mission of cosmic peacemaking.
Peacemakers hold both conviction and compassion. They speak the truth in love, stay at the table when things get tense, and absorb relational cost for the sake of redemptive witness. They know peace doesn’t come through control — it comes through courage. (& reconciliation)
Real peace is always costly. It requires sacrifice, humility, and a willingness to absorb wounds rather than return them.
Small spirit empowered choices to bless instead of blame, to listen instead of react , & to move toward rather than away from.
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness :
Life requires countless ‘little’ deaths — occasions when we are given the chance to say to self and yes to God” - Elisabeth elliot
“We’re information rich, but transformation poor”
End :
John 15 - “Jesus doesn’t say ‘produce much fruit’, but ‘abide in me’. He’s not calling us to hustle harder; He’s inviting us to remain rooted. The branches do not strain to bear fruit; they simply stay attached to the Vine. That connection is the source of all transformation… The reason the work of formation is so deep is because it starts internally, not externally.”
The more you abide, the more you become.
We live in a culture obsessed with shortcuts, but holiness has never had one. I know a woman who came to faith at age twenty, and now in her seventies, even though she still wrestles with envy, she can name it more quickly, surrender it faster, and trust Jesus more deeply. That’s not regression; that’s formation. You’re not supposed to be done. You’re supposed to be being made… this is the long arc of obedience. BIG!!
Winter is the season no one wants but every saint needs. The Christian life is not about perpetual bloom — it’s about abiding, even when all the branches are bare
Summer teaches you that sanctification isn’t always about change, it’s often about constancy. !!!!
God uses fall to peel back the illusion that we’re in control
“So keep going… the One who began this work in you will be faithful to complete it” TYG!
Finishing this book feeling thankful for the undeserved grace & kindness & forgiveness & patience I have received from the Lord and amazed that He keeps me & continues to conform me to His image in ways I can’t always notice or appreciate. “Becoming like Jesus is not marked by perfection, but by perseverance.”
Walking through the beatitudes, it was cool how Matt Chandler explained that “these are not eight different kinds of people; they are eight things Jesus is committed to growing in each of our lives” and “Jesus didn’t come to find these kinds of people but rather to make them over time.” That feels comforting to me and frees my mind from the agenda/time table I feel like I have sometimes. God’s timing is perfect! I don’t want to miss the formation!
Fav words (there are a lot #sorry this is for my memory)
🚘 “I know at times we can feel abandoned or alone, and maybe that's how you feel holding this book right now, but feelings make beautiful passengers and terrible drivers."
🌀Horizontal coil - every high & low moving you forward and being used by God to transform you
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit :
“This isn’t regression, it’s refinement. We don’t graduate from our need; we just come to recognize it more quickly & surrender to it more deeply”
“He delights in your becoming”
“It takes pride to be anxious — I am not wise enough to know how my life should go”
2. Blessed are those who mourn :
“His presence comforts us now — but His promises give us strength for the journey ahead.”
“God is accomplishing things in our souls. He's not wasting our mourning. He redeems our sorrow, using it to shape us, grow us, & reveal His goodness"
3. Blessed are the meek :
"To grow in humility requires us to receive the confrontation, submit to the power of God to conform us, and strive toward the promises of God in Jesus Christ."
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness:
“Right relatedness means we come to Him with empty hands, knowing we can’t perform our way into His favor, but we long to live in His presence and underneath His rule. That longing, that hunger is the beginning of satisfaction.”
“You can’t rightly love others if you despise yourself, nor can you walk in righteousness if your identify is built on shame, performance, or comparison.”
5. Blessed are the merciful :
Being merciful is not a personality trait, it’s a gospel product.
At its core mercy is about seeing others through the lens of what you’ve received from God: unearned kindness, costly forgiveness, undeserved welcome. The gospel breaks the back of self righteousness by confronting us with just how spiritually bankrupt we are apart from Christ.
Mercy begins with not just seeing the wrongs done but the image of God in the one who wronged you. We give mercy not because someone deserves it but because we’ve been shaped by a mercy we could never deserve ourselves.
Mercy is hard. It runs against every instinct of self preservation, pride, and pain. Mercy costs you something… And when you have been deeply wounded, mercy can feel like betrayal, as if showing kindness to the one who hurt you is somehow minimizing what they did… It’s in this moment that we must look back to the cross and the agony of Jesus as He moved toward us while we were at our worst.
Mercy doesn’t ignore the offense, it acknowledges it and still chooses to bless.
Mercy goes against our deep longing for fairness and accountability. When someone wounds us, everything in us cries out for repayment, for balance to be restored. But mercy disrupts that equation by offering release instead of revenge. It feels like letting someone off the hook, especially when they show no remorse or when the damage is lasting. Mercy seems to ignore the pain and skip over justice- but in truth, it entrusts justice to God, who sees and will make all things right…Mercy feels unjust until we remember how unjust grace was for us.
Mercy does not deny the wound; it chooses to absorb it for the sake of love.
Mercy flows from mercy… the more we extend it, the more we understand it. Mercy multiplies. Mercy received becomes mercy given!
6. Blessed are the pure in heart :
"to be pure in heart is to have no duplicity, mixed motives, or secret life walled off from the light of God's presence"
“You don’t become pure by learning more about facts. You become pure when your affections are reordered. When what you want begins to shift because who you love begins to deepen. That’s what makes spiritual formation more than education.”
"This is why the fragmented soul finds no rest. Living multiple lives creation tension the soul was never meant to bear. We might impress others, but we cannot find peace in pretense. And the God who sees through every version of us offers the very wholeness we're pretending to have.”
“The refusal to be known is the refusal to be healed” - ray ortlund
7. Blessed are the peacemakers :
The peacemaker has been brought to peace by the blood of the cross (Colossians 1:20) and now carries that cross into every relational war zone
When we make peace, we are never more like Him… Jesus’ ministry was a mission of cosmic peacemaking.
Peacemakers hold both conviction and compassion. They speak the truth in love, stay at the table when things get tense, and absorb relational cost for the sake of redemptive witness. They know peace doesn’t come through control — it comes through courage. (& reconciliation)
Real peace is always costly. It requires sacrifice, humility, and a willingness to absorb wounds rather than return them.
Small spirit empowered choices to bless instead of blame, to listen instead of react , & to move toward rather than away from.
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness :
Life requires countless ‘little’ deaths — occasions when we are given the chance to say to self and yes to God” - Elisabeth elliot
“We’re information rich, but transformation poor”
End :
John 15 - “Jesus doesn’t say ‘produce much fruit’, but ‘abide in me’. He’s not calling us to hustle harder; He’s inviting us to remain rooted. The branches do not strain to bear fruit; they simply stay attached to the Vine. That connection is the source of all transformation… The reason the work of formation is so deep is because it starts internally, not externally.”
The more you abide, the more you become.
We live in a culture obsessed with shortcuts, but holiness has never had one. I know a woman who came to faith at age twenty, and now in her seventies, even though she still wrestles with envy, she can name it more quickly, surrender it faster, and trust Jesus more deeply. That’s not regression; that’s formation. You’re not supposed to be done. You’re supposed to be being made… this is the long arc of obedience. BIG!!
Winter is the season no one wants but every saint needs. The Christian life is not about perpetual bloom — it’s about abiding, even when all the branches are bare
Summer teaches you that sanctification isn’t always about change, it’s often about constancy. !!!!
God uses fall to peel back the illusion that we’re in control
“So keep going… the One who began this work in you will be faithful to complete it” TYG!
August 6, 2026
Becoming Like Jesus by Matt Chandler is a thoughtful guide to spiritual formation that centers on the Beatitudes from Matthew 5. Chandler begins by challenging the common idea that following Jesus should feel like a steady climb upward. Instead, he describes the journey as more like a coil laid out horizontally, where highs and lows, victories and setbacks, all move a person forward toward becoming more like Christ. This image sets the tone for the entire book, reassuring readers that their messy, uneven experiences with faith are not signs of failure but part of how God shapes them over time.
The core of the book walks through each of the Beatitudes as qualities that Jesus is actively forming in those who follow him. Chandler explains that Jesus did not come simply to find people who already possessed poverty of spirit, mourning, meekness, hunger for righteousness, mercy, purity of heart, peacemaking, or perseverance under persecution. Rather, he came to create these traits in his people through the ordinary and difficult circumstances of life. Each beatitude receives careful attention, showing how these characteristics are not a checklist but a portrait of the kind of person God is committed to shaping. Chandler draws on personal stories and biblical insight to make the descriptions feel reachable rather than distant ideals.
Throughout the book, Chandler emphasizes three essential elements that make this transformation possible. The first is deep work, which goes beyond surface-level habits like a quick morning devotional. It involves abiding in Jesus, sitting with Scripture until it sinks into the heart, practicing silence and solitude, and bringing honest struggles into prayer. The second element is time. Chandler stresses that there are no quick fixes or overnight changes in the kingdom of God. Growth happens gradually across years of highs and lows, and he encourages readers to be patient with themselves instead of quitting during difficult seasons. The third element is community. Becoming like Jesus cannot happen in isolation. It requires walking alongside others who are also pursuing deep work over time, offering accountability, encouragement, and shared experiences of both joy and pain.
Chandler keeps returning to the reality that spiritual formation involves the whole of life. He talks openly about how God uses both the beautiful and the brutal moments to form character. Seasons of sorrow, confusion, or failure are not wasted but become places where the Holy Spirit does some of the most significant work. At the same time, he highlights the importance of staying connected to Jesus through regular rhythms of prayer, Scripture meditation, and honest self-examination. These practices help believers remain rooted rather than letting the pace of daily life pull them away from what matters most.
The book closes with a hopeful reminder that God is faithful to complete the work he has begun. Chandler points readers back to the promise that the one who started a good work in them will carry it on to completion. He leaves them with the practical invitation to lean into the three components of deep work, time, and community while trusting that every part of their story is being used to make them more like Jesus. The tone throughout is warm and honest, acknowledging the frustrations and doubts that come with following Christ while pointing consistently to the steady, patient love of God. In the end, the book offers both comfort and challenge, inviting readers to see their entire lives as the setting where Jesus is quietly and faithfully at work.
The core of the book walks through each of the Beatitudes as qualities that Jesus is actively forming in those who follow him. Chandler explains that Jesus did not come simply to find people who already possessed poverty of spirit, mourning, meekness, hunger for righteousness, mercy, purity of heart, peacemaking, or perseverance under persecution. Rather, he came to create these traits in his people through the ordinary and difficult circumstances of life. Each beatitude receives careful attention, showing how these characteristics are not a checklist but a portrait of the kind of person God is committed to shaping. Chandler draws on personal stories and biblical insight to make the descriptions feel reachable rather than distant ideals.
Throughout the book, Chandler emphasizes three essential elements that make this transformation possible. The first is deep work, which goes beyond surface-level habits like a quick morning devotional. It involves abiding in Jesus, sitting with Scripture until it sinks into the heart, practicing silence and solitude, and bringing honest struggles into prayer. The second element is time. Chandler stresses that there are no quick fixes or overnight changes in the kingdom of God. Growth happens gradually across years of highs and lows, and he encourages readers to be patient with themselves instead of quitting during difficult seasons. The third element is community. Becoming like Jesus cannot happen in isolation. It requires walking alongside others who are also pursuing deep work over time, offering accountability, encouragement, and shared experiences of both joy and pain.
Chandler keeps returning to the reality that spiritual formation involves the whole of life. He talks openly about how God uses both the beautiful and the brutal moments to form character. Seasons of sorrow, confusion, or failure are not wasted but become places where the Holy Spirit does some of the most significant work. At the same time, he highlights the importance of staying connected to Jesus through regular rhythms of prayer, Scripture meditation, and honest self-examination. These practices help believers remain rooted rather than letting the pace of daily life pull them away from what matters most.
The book closes with a hopeful reminder that God is faithful to complete the work he has begun. Chandler points readers back to the promise that the one who started a good work in them will carry it on to completion. He leaves them with the practical invitation to lean into the three components of deep work, time, and community while trusting that every part of their story is being used to make them more like Jesus. The tone throughout is warm and honest, acknowledging the frustrations and doubts that come with following Christ while pointing consistently to the steady, patient love of God. In the end, the book offers both comfort and challenge, inviting readers to see their entire lives as the setting where Jesus is quietly and faithfully at work.
August 28, 2026
Is our attention being discipled by something other than Jesus?
In his book “Becoming Like Jesus”, Matt Chandler walks readers through the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5.
He challenges readers to keep going in their walk of faith and persevere through the failures that may come. “The Christian life isn’t about perpetual bloom it’s about abiding even when all the branches are bare”.
I found this book to be just okay for the majority of it. A solid 3*. But then the final chapter came along and it was worth the entire read and will be a chapter that I go back to and read again and again. I loved all the season analogies he walks us through. I also really appreciated his chapters on peace-keeping and relationships.
I listened to this as an audio and struggled with Chandler’s narration. I think if I had the physical copy to read I would have enjoyed it more before the final chapter. There are also so many good nuggets that I’d love to go back and highlight.
Some favourite quotes:
“Becoming like Jesus asks for your calendar. The loud urgent demands of the day will not shape you into Christ. What shapes you are quiet, consistent “yeses” to Jesus over time.
“If we don’t fight for margin, silence and focus we’ll miss the slow miracle of transformation all together.
Sabbath won’t just happen. Deep prayer won’t emerge accidentally. Listening for God’s voice will require turning down the volume of every other one. The good news? Jesus doesn’t compete for your attention. He waits for it. But you’ll have to come away from the crowd to hear Him”.
“Any version of discipleship that skips abiding will eventually collapse under the weight of performance. The more you abide the more you become. “
“Summer teaches you that sanctification isn’t always about change it’s often about constancy. About staying in the field God planted you in. It’s about trusting that what you tend in obedience he will bring to fruition in time.”
“Every relational bump enables us to ask “Jesus, how are you forming me right now?”. We thank God for not only the easy relationships, but the hard ones too.
It’s not easy to be known deeply. The church is messy because people are messy. The friction isn’t failure it’s formation.”
Thank you NetGalley and HCCP & HCF Audio for the opportunity to review.
In his book “Becoming Like Jesus”, Matt Chandler walks readers through the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5.
He challenges readers to keep going in their walk of faith and persevere through the failures that may come. “The Christian life isn’t about perpetual bloom it’s about abiding even when all the branches are bare”.
I found this book to be just okay for the majority of it. A solid 3*. But then the final chapter came along and it was worth the entire read and will be a chapter that I go back to and read again and again. I loved all the season analogies he walks us through. I also really appreciated his chapters on peace-keeping and relationships.
I listened to this as an audio and struggled with Chandler’s narration. I think if I had the physical copy to read I would have enjoyed it more before the final chapter. There are also so many good nuggets that I’d love to go back and highlight.
Some favourite quotes:
“Becoming like Jesus asks for your calendar. The loud urgent demands of the day will not shape you into Christ. What shapes you are quiet, consistent “yeses” to Jesus over time.
“If we don’t fight for margin, silence and focus we’ll miss the slow miracle of transformation all together.
Sabbath won’t just happen. Deep prayer won’t emerge accidentally. Listening for God’s voice will require turning down the volume of every other one. The good news? Jesus doesn’t compete for your attention. He waits for it. But you’ll have to come away from the crowd to hear Him”.
“Any version of discipleship that skips abiding will eventually collapse under the weight of performance. The more you abide the more you become. “
“Summer teaches you that sanctification isn’t always about change it’s often about constancy. About staying in the field God planted you in. It’s about trusting that what you tend in obedience he will bring to fruition in time.”
“Every relational bump enables us to ask “Jesus, how are you forming me right now?”. We thank God for not only the easy relationships, but the hard ones too.
It’s not easy to be known deeply. The church is messy because people are messy. The friction isn’t failure it’s formation.”
Thank you NetGalley and HCCP & HCF Audio for the opportunity to review.
June 18, 2026
The long journey home is how most Christians feel as we wind through the ups and downs of a life committed to carrying our own cross. Matt’s book, “Becoming Like Jesus” , grounded in the beatitudes of Matthew 5, normalizes the daily difficulties of life by orienting the reader towards a future hope. I am closer to that future reality now than I was when I started writing this review.
It’s easy to read the beatitudes and immediately feel disqualified from the life that we’re called to; but what if Jesus actually came to shape us into what these verses describe instead of accusing us in our shortcoming? What if my savior in heaven knew that I was broken and came to make me whole? How might my outlook on this present challenge change if I knew in my heart of hearts that it’s all a part of my progressive sanctification? Reading this book feels like listening to one of Matt’s sermons - strikingly relatable and offering me something more.
Truly knowing God creates a weird satisfaction and a hunger that exist simultaneously. When I wake in the morning and feel and angst in my soul it is because I hunger and thirst for this inexhaustible well. There is more of him for me to experience today - now the lie of my sinful heart would tell me that I must work, perform, and make him proud in my day today to reach that next part of his glory yet all that is truly needed is submission to his Lordship in my life. I can freely enjoy him forever.
I would recommend this book to any believer or unbeliever no matter what season of life they find themselves in. Matt’s writing style is an easy read but one that will seek to reveal where in your own heart God wants to be let in.
It’s easy to read the beatitudes and immediately feel disqualified from the life that we’re called to; but what if Jesus actually came to shape us into what these verses describe instead of accusing us in our shortcoming? What if my savior in heaven knew that I was broken and came to make me whole? How might my outlook on this present challenge change if I knew in my heart of hearts that it’s all a part of my progressive sanctification? Reading this book feels like listening to one of Matt’s sermons - strikingly relatable and offering me something more.
Truly knowing God creates a weird satisfaction and a hunger that exist simultaneously. When I wake in the morning and feel and angst in my soul it is because I hunger and thirst for this inexhaustible well. There is more of him for me to experience today - now the lie of my sinful heart would tell me that I must work, perform, and make him proud in my day today to reach that next part of his glory yet all that is truly needed is submission to his Lordship in my life. I can freely enjoy him forever.
I would recommend this book to any believer or unbeliever no matter what season of life they find themselves in. Matt’s writing style is an easy read but one that will seek to reveal where in your own heart God wants to be let in.
August 3, 2026
I've long appreciated Matt Chandler's clear, gospel-centred teaching, and Becoming Like Jesus was no exception. Rather than presenting spiritual growth as a list of things to do, Chandler continually points the listener back to the transforming work of Christ. The focus isn't on striving harder—it's on being shaped by the Holy Spirit into the likeness of Jesus.
One of the things I appreciated most was the reminder that spiritual maturity is a lifelong process. Chandler writes with honesty and humility, acknowledging that none of us arrive overnight, yet encouraging us that God is faithfully at work in us. His teaching is deeply rooted in Scripture while remaining practical and accessible for everyday life.
The audiobook is easy to listen to and thoughtfully paced, making it ideal for a commute, a walk, or quiet moments throughout the day. It challenged me to examine not just what I do as a Christian, but who I am becoming. It was a timely reminder that the goal of the Christian life isn't simply knowing more about Jesus—it's becoming more like Him.
What I loved: Its grace-filled, Scripture-rich approach to spiritual transformation that continually points back to Christ.
What it stirred: A renewed desire to pursue Christ not out of obligation, but from the security of being loved by Him and transformed by His Spirit.
Who it's for: Christians who want to grow deeper in their faith, whether they're new believers or have been walking with Jesus for many years. If you're longing for encouragement to become more like Christ without falling into performance-based faith, this is well worth listening to.
Thank you to HCCP & HCF Audio and NetGalley for this ARC.
One of the things I appreciated most was the reminder that spiritual maturity is a lifelong process. Chandler writes with honesty and humility, acknowledging that none of us arrive overnight, yet encouraging us that God is faithfully at work in us. His teaching is deeply rooted in Scripture while remaining practical and accessible for everyday life.
The audiobook is easy to listen to and thoughtfully paced, making it ideal for a commute, a walk, or quiet moments throughout the day. It challenged me to examine not just what I do as a Christian, but who I am becoming. It was a timely reminder that the goal of the Christian life isn't simply knowing more about Jesus—it's becoming more like Him.
What I loved: Its grace-filled, Scripture-rich approach to spiritual transformation that continually points back to Christ.
What it stirred: A renewed desire to pursue Christ not out of obligation, but from the security of being loved by Him and transformed by His Spirit.
Who it's for: Christians who want to grow deeper in their faith, whether they're new believers or have been walking with Jesus for many years. If you're longing for encouragement to become more like Christ without falling into performance-based faith, this is well worth listening to.
Thank you to HCCP & HCF Audio and NetGalley for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book was tremendous! I haven’t read a ton of books this year so far, but this sets the mark for book of the year for me. Matt is such a great author. I’ve read some of his other books and done the Bible studies that accompany them, this might be my favorite to date! The information he gives on the beatitudes is so good. Even going beyond them just connecting in a down to Earth manner, makes it such an easy and understandable read. The stories of his life and illustrations used help to explain so well. Not just saying “you need to do this” but actually using real life examples of how it is done he does so well. He explains it without shying away from how hard it is and how we fail over and over. His story is one that many can relate to on some level. His experiences are so relatable and from them he is able to give wisdom to help you when you go through it. This is one of those books when you are finished you have more highlighted than you don’t! Highly recommend!
I was given this book #sponsored through NetGalley by W Publishing Group a part of Thomas Nelson, to read early in exchange for an honest review. This however will be a book I purchase myself to have my own personal copy. I would like to thank Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the opportunity to review and all my opinions are my own.
I was given this book #sponsored through NetGalley by W Publishing Group a part of Thomas Nelson, to read early in exchange for an honest review. This however will be a book I purchase myself to have my own personal copy. I would like to thank Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the opportunity to review and all my opinions are my own.
August 31, 2026
Really good; encouraging, hopeful, practical and real. An exploration of the beatitudes and how they deepen our walk in becoming more like Jesus and ultimately mark the Christian life on this long journey home.
“Merciful people become safe people. Not soft, but safe. They carry truth without arrogance, correction without condemnation. They can sit in sorrow without fixing it. They can hold tension without breaking. Why? Because they have been with Jesus. Because they know the cost and power of mercy.”
“To see God is the fulfillment of what we were created for. It is the healing of every fracture, the homecoming of every ache…. And Job, after all his suffering doesn’t ask for explanations; he beholds God and says, ‘Now my eyes have seen you’ (Job 42:5).”
“In winter, God teaches us to love Him not for His gifts but for Himself. You don’t see much, but you begin to sense He’s still near — though even that is often by faith, not feeling. These are the seasons of unanswered prayers, still mornings, and silent progress. The temptation is to assume He’s gone silent. But make no mistake, winter is not God’s absence; it’s His deep presence, cloaked in shadow, doing interior work that can’t be rushed. The Christian life is not about perpetual bloom — it’s about abiding, even when all the branches are bare. Winter faith is quiet faith, tenacious faith, tested faith.”
“Merciful people become safe people. Not soft, but safe. They carry truth without arrogance, correction without condemnation. They can sit in sorrow without fixing it. They can hold tension without breaking. Why? Because they have been with Jesus. Because they know the cost and power of mercy.”
“To see God is the fulfillment of what we were created for. It is the healing of every fracture, the homecoming of every ache…. And Job, after all his suffering doesn’t ask for explanations; he beholds God and says, ‘Now my eyes have seen you’ (Job 42:5).”
“In winter, God teaches us to love Him not for His gifts but for Himself. You don’t see much, but you begin to sense He’s still near — though even that is often by faith, not feeling. These are the seasons of unanswered prayers, still mornings, and silent progress. The temptation is to assume He’s gone silent. But make no mistake, winter is not God’s absence; it’s His deep presence, cloaked in shadow, doing interior work that can’t be rushed. The Christian life is not about perpetual bloom — it’s about abiding, even when all the branches are bare. Winter faith is quiet faith, tenacious faith, tested faith.”
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Even though we do not live in the Dallas area, my family watches The Village Church each week to listen to Pastor Matt Chandler. One of my favorite passages of scripture is The Sermon on the Mount (which opens with The Beatitudes). What could go wrong with mixing the teaching of Pastor Chandler and The Beatitudes? Nothing. It’s more like, “What could go right?” and the answer to that is, “Everything.”
Chandler does a masterful job of breaking down The Beatitudes in the original language and how it applies to our lives today. In breaking each one down, Chandler challenges to be more like Jesus every day. He gives real life examples and some funny stories/analogies/pop culture references to boot.
Matt Chandler has proven himself to masterfully teach the scriptures. He does so with his personality sprinkled in. It makes for an easy, but challenging read. This is not shallow. Your toes are going to be sore after each chapter. And in the end, the focus is not to follow the author’s teaching, it is to follow our Savior’s teaching. And to become more like Jesus.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
Chandler does a masterful job of breaking down The Beatitudes in the original language and how it applies to our lives today. In breaking each one down, Chandler challenges to be more like Jesus every day. He gives real life examples and some funny stories/analogies/pop culture references to boot.
Matt Chandler has proven himself to masterfully teach the scriptures. He does so with his personality sprinkled in. It makes for an easy, but challenging read. This is not shallow. Your toes are going to be sore after each chapter. And in the end, the focus is not to follow the author’s teaching, it is to follow our Savior’s teaching. And to become more like Jesus.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Becoming Like Jesus is a gospel centered book to view our spiritual growth by not just the rule of the Bible but a lifelong transformation on the Holy Spirit can give. The book breaks down the Beatitudes from Matthew 5 and sets the framework of Christlikeness is formed in our everyday moments not just religious moments.
I do think that Chandler has a way in presenting the book where it feels like a friend conversation and makes it easy to read chapter by chapter without feeling overwhelmed. I really like how Chandler puts such a huge emphasis on grace and realism. Instead of perfection, he constantly points back to the dependence we have on Christ. This allows us to see our struggles and progress in light of God's work.
Overall its encouraging and filled with lots of scripture to back up the context of what Chandler is saying. It is a great read for one who may want to understand discipleship more or grow more into a Christlike character without feeling pressured by some performance based method.
Overall. I would read this book again and share with a friend.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing me an advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
I do think that Chandler has a way in presenting the book where it feels like a friend conversation and makes it easy to read chapter by chapter without feeling overwhelmed. I really like how Chandler puts such a huge emphasis on grace and realism. Instead of perfection, he constantly points back to the dependence we have on Christ. This allows us to see our struggles and progress in light of God's work.
Overall its encouraging and filled with lots of scripture to back up the context of what Chandler is saying. It is a great read for one who may want to understand discipleship more or grow more into a Christlike character without feeling pressured by some performance based method.
Overall. I would read this book again and share with a friend.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing me an advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews