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Lay It Down: Living in the Freedom of the Gospel
There’s Good News for the WearyCall it burnout, a spiritual breakdown, or a personal crisis, the toll of Bill Tell’s decades of successful ministry finally caught up with him. Incapacitated and depressed, he found that the road to recovery began at the cross. To his delight, healing opened new freedoms as he embraced the gospel in new ways.Lay It Living in the Freedom of the Gospel is a bold declaration of the overwhelming grace of God. More than merely saving us in our sin, by grace God delivers us from it, making us new creations and treating us accordingly—no matter what. For a generation of Christians who have learned a gospel of performance and striving, Lay It Down offers the good news of the grace that is already ours in Christ.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2015
18 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
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March 22, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up. Some of the book I didn’t agree with - especially on his definition of punishment vs. discipline.
The book was a little hard for me to work through due to his specific writing style, but there were many wonderful truths. I’ve read most of these truths in other books that I prefer (such as The Cure) but this one was still good.
Some good quotes:
The gospel of grace always eliminates performance as the basis of relationship. (P. 21)
Jeremiah 17:9 is no longer true of me as a believer! God has given me a new heart. I am a new creation. I have a new nature that Paul describes as being “created after the likeness of God” (Ephesians 4:24). I don’t have an evil heart; I have a good heart. (P. 23)
The gospel actually “devours the very motivation you have for sin.” The gospel gives us a new heart, a heart that does not want to sin. (P. 38)
We need to expose two lies that pervade Christendom. The first like is that it is our responsibility as believers to live in such a way that God is pleased with us. […] The second lie is the flip side of the first one: We are responsible to repair the relational distance between us and God created by our sin. (P. 41-42)
[In 1 John 5 the best paraphrase would be…] “Since you are somebody who already loves me because of what I have done in you, you know what you will want to do? You will want to keep my commandments. That’s what you are like. That’s you. (P. 44)
As a Christian, you will never hear condemnation from your Father. Never. (P. 62)
Our identity is no longer based on our behavior; it is based on the behavior of Jesus! This is why we are called “saints” (for example, Romans 1:7). Our identity is not that of sinners trying hard to become saints. We are saints. (P. 64)
Love and fear are incompatible. (P. 87)
If we fear God’s punishment, we obey out of self- protection; our “acts of obedience” are not acts of love but self-centered acts of self-defense. (P. 89)
We often do things not because we trust someone but because we fear their power and their ability to bring in consequences. […] But in obedience, rooted in a relationship of trust, we are free. […] We are free from having to work on sinning and we can now focus on living from a new and obedient heart. (P. 149)
The book was a little hard for me to work through due to his specific writing style, but there were many wonderful truths. I’ve read most of these truths in other books that I prefer (such as The Cure) but this one was still good.
Some good quotes:
The gospel of grace always eliminates performance as the basis of relationship. (P. 21)
Jeremiah 17:9 is no longer true of me as a believer! God has given me a new heart. I am a new creation. I have a new nature that Paul describes as being “created after the likeness of God” (Ephesians 4:24). I don’t have an evil heart; I have a good heart. (P. 23)
The gospel actually “devours the very motivation you have for sin.” The gospel gives us a new heart, a heart that does not want to sin. (P. 38)
We need to expose two lies that pervade Christendom. The first like is that it is our responsibility as believers to live in such a way that God is pleased with us. […] The second lie is the flip side of the first one: We are responsible to repair the relational distance between us and God created by our sin. (P. 41-42)
[In 1 John 5 the best paraphrase would be…] “Since you are somebody who already loves me because of what I have done in you, you know what you will want to do? You will want to keep my commandments. That’s what you are like. That’s you. (P. 44)
As a Christian, you will never hear condemnation from your Father. Never. (P. 62)
Our identity is no longer based on our behavior; it is based on the behavior of Jesus! This is why we are called “saints” (for example, Romans 1:7). Our identity is not that of sinners trying hard to become saints. We are saints. (P. 64)
Love and fear are incompatible. (P. 87)
If we fear God’s punishment, we obey out of self- protection; our “acts of obedience” are not acts of love but self-centered acts of self-defense. (P. 89)
We often do things not because we trust someone but because we fear their power and their ability to bring in consequences. […] But in obedience, rooted in a relationship of trust, we are free. […] We are free from having to work on sinning and we can now focus on living from a new and obedient heart. (P. 149)
June 26, 2017
A much needed and freeing application of the gospel to life and ministry, but one that unfortunately is rendered unusable for ministry because of a few fatal flaws.
The book shines in illuminating the freedom from performance found in the gospel through the use of personal stories and exposition of scripture. At times I found myself wondering if the author had been secretly watching my life and knew what I needed to hear in terms of letting go of baggage and trusting deeply in my right standing before God.
However, the book suffers from some fatal flaws that overshadow the positive aspects. The exposition of some verses has been massaged to fit the author's intent rather than the original meaning. This is most glaring in the use of Ezekiel 36, which the author uses to argue that we can trust our heart because we have been given a new heart of flesh. The actual intent of this verse is that those in Christ have a heart that is now responsive to God...not that our desires have been instantly changed. To tell readers to follow the desires of their heart is simply irresponsible. Instead readers should be urged to allow scripture and the Holy Spirit to mold the desires of their now responsive heart of flesh.
Additionally, the book lacks theological nuance in many other areas, and it is difficult to take seriously any book in which the author uses The Message as the basis for his exposition.
This is a book I so badly want to use in ministry and discipleship to help others discover the freedom of the gospel. In every chapter Bill Tell hits on key truths that I pray would sink deeply into the hearts of those I'm shepherding. However, there are fatal flaws that overshadow these strengths and prevent me from recommending this book to any readers who are younger in their faith and who may not be able to discern their way past these errors.
The book shines in illuminating the freedom from performance found in the gospel through the use of personal stories and exposition of scripture. At times I found myself wondering if the author had been secretly watching my life and knew what I needed to hear in terms of letting go of baggage and trusting deeply in my right standing before God.
However, the book suffers from some fatal flaws that overshadow the positive aspects. The exposition of some verses has been massaged to fit the author's intent rather than the original meaning. This is most glaring in the use of Ezekiel 36, which the author uses to argue that we can trust our heart because we have been given a new heart of flesh. The actual intent of this verse is that those in Christ have a heart that is now responsive to God...not that our desires have been instantly changed. To tell readers to follow the desires of their heart is simply irresponsible. Instead readers should be urged to allow scripture and the Holy Spirit to mold the desires of their now responsive heart of flesh.
Additionally, the book lacks theological nuance in many other areas, and it is difficult to take seriously any book in which the author uses The Message as the basis for his exposition.
This is a book I so badly want to use in ministry and discipleship to help others discover the freedom of the gospel. In every chapter Bill Tell hits on key truths that I pray would sink deeply into the hearts of those I'm shepherding. However, there are fatal flaws that overshadow these strengths and prevent me from recommending this book to any readers who are younger in their faith and who may not be able to discern their way past these errors.
April 11, 2020
Main theme: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
“So be free!” is an exhortation I need to preach daily to myself. A great book by a man who spent the better part of his adult Christian life working and laboring for the Lord, but did so in a way that was not free.
This book exposed a few lies I have believed. It doesn’t serve as a “how to” or “self-help” manual. It is a book that illuminates the ways that many of us still are bound by chains that we choose, one way or another, to wear. The book stops there. The rest is a journey we must undertake with God and with fellow believers.
Loved this book. I went into it simply to have a book to read during the COVID crisis. It has been sitting on my bookshelf for a couple years. Such a poignant message to pierce my soul.
“So be free!” is an exhortation I need to preach daily to myself. A great book by a man who spent the better part of his adult Christian life working and laboring for the Lord, but did so in a way that was not free.
This book exposed a few lies I have believed. It doesn’t serve as a “how to” or “self-help” manual. It is a book that illuminates the ways that many of us still are bound by chains that we choose, one way or another, to wear. The book stops there. The rest is a journey we must undertake with God and with fellow believers.
Loved this book. I went into it simply to have a book to read during the COVID crisis. It has been sitting on my bookshelf for a couple years. Such a poignant message to pierce my soul.
November 1, 2019
I would say that this book would be really good for, say, either a college age believer or an adult new believer. The author talks through what it means to be free in Christ in a very easy-to-read way. I think the author tends towards a Calvinistic bent but it's not pervasive or overpowering in this books and I found I agreed with almost all of his points. It's just always important to remember that our freedom does not mean freedom to live outside of what God intended for the Christian life. Nor does it mean we no longer have any responsibility. Certainly not as far as earning anything and definitely not when it comes to salvation, but we are challenged in Scripture to persevere, run the race well, etc. for a reason.
February 1, 2021
Freedom Is Here!
What a beautiful book. Bill shares his journey of discovery through the scriptures from religion & religious burn out to relationship with God through a revelation of grace in his life that showed him his true identity in Jesus!
What a beautiful book. Bill shares his journey of discovery through the scriptures from religion & religious burn out to relationship with God through a revelation of grace in his life that showed him his true identity in Jesus!
November 27, 2022
Bill Tell tells the reader how true the gospel is in the transformation process. This book refreshes the soul with truth in a very honest and loving way. True change happens on the level of identity. I recommend this book to all gospel lovers.
July 17, 2018
Great reminders of how our identity flows out of our relationship with God, as God embraces us as dearly loved children.
August 27, 2018
Awesome book about living free. If we struggle to live the way we want, the answer is t to try harder it is to live in grace, to understand the gospel, to lean into Christ.
December 3, 2019
Great truth on Gods grace
This book does a great job of unpacking the truth of God’s grace in our lives and what it means practically for believers in Christ.
This book does a great job of unpacking the truth of God’s grace in our lives and what it means practically for believers in Christ.
April 11, 2020
Life changing. Need to reread periodically.
September 13, 2020
A wonderfully description of Grace and how to live within it.
May 4, 2023
Loved it so much, I bought a copy for my collection and am immediately rereading with highlighter! I don’t reread much but this goes into my top ten.
February 21, 2016
Summary: Through a personal crisis, the author discovers the freedom of the gospel in terms of three miracles.
You are a successful ministry leader and suddenly experience a series of incapacitating panic attacks when facing ministry opportunities. After a season of rest you take the step of trying to find out what is going on and whether life can be different.
That is the situation Bill Tell faced as a senior leader in a prominent discipleship ministry. He discovered that deep down he struggled with issues of self-worth that went back to his childhood and that to cope, he had devoted himself to a life of achievement in ministry that had become an exhausting treadmill. He longed for freedom from such existence, and paradoxically discovered it in the message that he had proclaimed but had not really lived into for many years.
In a season of counselling and personal study, he discovered three miracles of surrounding the work of Christ that spelled freedom. The first of these was that God viewed him differently. The good news of the cross was of God's unconditional acceptance apart from any good behavior and in spite of any bad behavior. This meant he no longer needed to "perform" to merit God's love. He was freed from condemnation, punishment, and fear, and freed for living in peace and grace.
The second miracle was realizing that in Christ, God makes us different. The gospel transforms us from the inside out. We are freed from working on not sinning and to mature into who we are in Christ. This doesn't preclude effort, but he observes that "the gospel of grace is never opposed to effort--it is opposed to earning" (p. 140). We are freed to obey, to love, and to bear fruit, all of which emerge out of a relationship of being loved by Christ. He contends that:
"When we have a new heart, freedom does not make us want to run wild and sin more. It makes us want to walk with Jesus" (p. 107).
The final miracle is that God relates to us differently. We are adopted children, family, with Jesus as our brother. This frees us from an identity rooted in shame to one in which we are the beloved of God.
Martin Luther reportedly urged those around him to "preach the gospel to yourself every day" (source unknown). It seems to me that this is what Bill Tell has done compellingly in this book, beginning with his story of transformation from panic attacks and burnout as a senior ministry leader to one who discovered a new freedom in the gospel. What Tell writes in his chapters around the "three miracles" is simply a very clear and personal restatement of the basic Christian message--that we are saved by grace alone through the work of Christ alone, that we are transformed by Christ's indwelling presence that enables our loving obedience and growth in Christian character, and that we are adopted as God's beloved children. Meditating on this book chapter by chapter can be a good way to preach the gospel to oneself.
The only thing that would have made this book better for me would be if Tell would have woven more of his narrative subsequent to his crisis through the chapters on the three miracles, particularly in how this has shaped his ministry leadership, how life is different because of this transformed perspective, and how he applies this in mentoring emerging leaders. Perhaps that is too specific or too much for this book, but I hope he will address this in the future. What Tell has given us is a vulnerable account of his own personal crisis and how even Christian leaders can have distorted understandings of gospel, often because of deep wounds in one's own life. He points us to a kind of "second conversion" where the "truths" of the gospel become lived, and life-giving realities that are in fact the birthright of every believer.
_____________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
You are a successful ministry leader and suddenly experience a series of incapacitating panic attacks when facing ministry opportunities. After a season of rest you take the step of trying to find out what is going on and whether life can be different.
That is the situation Bill Tell faced as a senior leader in a prominent discipleship ministry. He discovered that deep down he struggled with issues of self-worth that went back to his childhood and that to cope, he had devoted himself to a life of achievement in ministry that had become an exhausting treadmill. He longed for freedom from such existence, and paradoxically discovered it in the message that he had proclaimed but had not really lived into for many years.
In a season of counselling and personal study, he discovered three miracles of surrounding the work of Christ that spelled freedom. The first of these was that God viewed him differently. The good news of the cross was of God's unconditional acceptance apart from any good behavior and in spite of any bad behavior. This meant he no longer needed to "perform" to merit God's love. He was freed from condemnation, punishment, and fear, and freed for living in peace and grace.
The second miracle was realizing that in Christ, God makes us different. The gospel transforms us from the inside out. We are freed from working on not sinning and to mature into who we are in Christ. This doesn't preclude effort, but he observes that "the gospel of grace is never opposed to effort--it is opposed to earning" (p. 140). We are freed to obey, to love, and to bear fruit, all of which emerge out of a relationship of being loved by Christ. He contends that:
"When we have a new heart, freedom does not make us want to run wild and sin more. It makes us want to walk with Jesus" (p. 107).
The final miracle is that God relates to us differently. We are adopted children, family, with Jesus as our brother. This frees us from an identity rooted in shame to one in which we are the beloved of God.
Martin Luther reportedly urged those around him to "preach the gospel to yourself every day" (source unknown). It seems to me that this is what Bill Tell has done compellingly in this book, beginning with his story of transformation from panic attacks and burnout as a senior ministry leader to one who discovered a new freedom in the gospel. What Tell writes in his chapters around the "three miracles" is simply a very clear and personal restatement of the basic Christian message--that we are saved by grace alone through the work of Christ alone, that we are transformed by Christ's indwelling presence that enables our loving obedience and growth in Christian character, and that we are adopted as God's beloved children. Meditating on this book chapter by chapter can be a good way to preach the gospel to oneself.
The only thing that would have made this book better for me would be if Tell would have woven more of his narrative subsequent to his crisis through the chapters on the three miracles, particularly in how this has shaped his ministry leadership, how life is different because of this transformed perspective, and how he applies this in mentoring emerging leaders. Perhaps that is too specific or too much for this book, but I hope he will address this in the future. What Tell has given us is a vulnerable account of his own personal crisis and how even Christian leaders can have distorted understandings of gospel, often because of deep wounds in one's own life. He points us to a kind of "second conversion" where the "truths" of the gospel become lived, and life-giving realities that are in fact the birthright of every believer.
_____________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
January 2, 2016
How does our sin effect our relationship with God? This is a huge question. We all struggle with sin. It is an unfortunate part of being human. Those who care are often burdened by their lack of victory over sinful behavior. Those who don't care. continue to sin without a care in the world. This book is written for those who are burdened by their lack of moral perfection.
Bill Tell starts off by setting the stage with his own personal journey in grace. He tells of how his performance driven life led him to burn out as he came to see the impossibility of pleasing everyone. If we are unable to please mere mortals, how much more are we unable to please a morally perfect and holy God? This book is about Bill Tell's journey toward grace and his discovery of the beautiful doctrines which have come to characterize the Reformed faith. In short, the author discovered that as children of God, we are declared righteous by our faith apart from our works. In Christ, God is pleased to find favor with us; unconditional favor.
There are parts of this book which I struggled with. This is especially true of the beginning chapters. At times, it seemed as if Tell was advocating a soft antinomianism which encouraged the view that our behavior is irrelevant. Despite this, it was clear throughout the book that he views the believers behavior as important and that he was not advocating a lifestyle free from the constraints of God's revealed law. This was a little confusing at first. As I persisted through the first few chapters it became apparent that he was not teaching lawlesness at all. He was simply stating what reformed theology has always taught-- that grace is precisely what enables the believer to say no to sin! Grace doesn't merely save is, it is n enabling power at work within those who have faith. This is most clearly seen in Titus 2:11-12 in which we are told that the grace of God teaches (literally: trains) us to renounce ungodliness and to live self controlled, upright and godly lives. So Bill Tell does not teach that we can live ungodly lives. Rather, he teaches us that grace enables us to stop living in the flesh, trying to merit favor by working hard, and to start relying on the transforming power of the gospel in our lives.
If I have any complaints at all it is Tell's use of some rather loose Bible translations. There are times when he uses The Message and the translation completely misses the point of the passage where a more literal translation would have served to bolster support for the very point he was making. This aside, I do not believe that he misused scripture or twisted the meaning of any passages to fit the theme of the book.
This was a good book. Tell does a good job highlighting the transforming power of the gospel message. His message of letting go of our efforts (relying on them to merit favor with God) is a critical message for today and one which everyone would gain from hearing over and over.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publshing in exchange for an online review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Bill Tell starts off by setting the stage with his own personal journey in grace. He tells of how his performance driven life led him to burn out as he came to see the impossibility of pleasing everyone. If we are unable to please mere mortals, how much more are we unable to please a morally perfect and holy God? This book is about Bill Tell's journey toward grace and his discovery of the beautiful doctrines which have come to characterize the Reformed faith. In short, the author discovered that as children of God, we are declared righteous by our faith apart from our works. In Christ, God is pleased to find favor with us; unconditional favor.
There are parts of this book which I struggled with. This is especially true of the beginning chapters. At times, it seemed as if Tell was advocating a soft antinomianism which encouraged the view that our behavior is irrelevant. Despite this, it was clear throughout the book that he views the believers behavior as important and that he was not advocating a lifestyle free from the constraints of God's revealed law. This was a little confusing at first. As I persisted through the first few chapters it became apparent that he was not teaching lawlesness at all. He was simply stating what reformed theology has always taught-- that grace is precisely what enables the believer to say no to sin! Grace doesn't merely save is, it is n enabling power at work within those who have faith. This is most clearly seen in Titus 2:11-12 in which we are told that the grace of God teaches (literally: trains) us to renounce ungodliness and to live self controlled, upright and godly lives. So Bill Tell does not teach that we can live ungodly lives. Rather, he teaches us that grace enables us to stop living in the flesh, trying to merit favor by working hard, and to start relying on the transforming power of the gospel in our lives.
If I have any complaints at all it is Tell's use of some rather loose Bible translations. There are times when he uses The Message and the translation completely misses the point of the passage where a more literal translation would have served to bolster support for the very point he was making. This aside, I do not believe that he misused scripture or twisted the meaning of any passages to fit the theme of the book.
This was a good book. Tell does a good job highlighting the transforming power of the gospel message. His message of letting go of our efforts (relying on them to merit favor with God) is a critical message for today and one which everyone would gain from hearing over and over.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publshing in exchange for an online review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
November 28, 2015
Freedom. Freedom to be what God intended us to be. Freedom to rest in Him. Freedom to let God work. Freedom.
Lay It Down is about Gospel freedom. Lay It Down is not about performance ... it's about freedom to live abundantly in all that we were created to be ... it's about freedom to live in Christ Jesus.
Bill Tell, a leader in The Navigators for decades, writes of his walk from burnout to freedom in the Gospel. Tell had to unlearn certain beliefs he had about the Gospel, and in his reconsideration, he found the true grace of the Gospel.
He found that
' ... the Son of God lived and died so we could begin experiencing the glories of eternal life now and the radical life-changing freedom of the gospel today! It is a freedom that changes everything about us; it's a change we desperately need.' p. XV
Tell writes of three miracles about our relationship with God.
1. The unconditional Good News. God views His children differently. That means that our performance does not win God's love. God views us through the performance and sacrifice of Jesus. God views us differently than some have been conditioned to view themselves.
2. The transformational Good News. God makes His children different. His children are free to obey, love, and bear fruit.
3. The relational Good News. God relates to His children differently. Because God's children are free from shame, they are free to be loved and to accept that love.
In Lay It Down, Tell demonstrates what Jesus told His disciples.
"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5
Those who belong to Jesus, must lay down their performance, their independence, their shame, their ego, and let Jesus work in them.
Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of Lay It Down: Living in the Freedom of the Gospel for my honest review.
Lay It Down is about Gospel freedom. Lay It Down is not about performance ... it's about freedom to live abundantly in all that we were created to be ... it's about freedom to live in Christ Jesus.
Bill Tell, a leader in The Navigators for decades, writes of his walk from burnout to freedom in the Gospel. Tell had to unlearn certain beliefs he had about the Gospel, and in his reconsideration, he found the true grace of the Gospel.
He found that
' ... the Son of God lived and died so we could begin experiencing the glories of eternal life now and the radical life-changing freedom of the gospel today! It is a freedom that changes everything about us; it's a change we desperately need.' p. XV
Tell writes of three miracles about our relationship with God.
1. The unconditional Good News. God views His children differently. That means that our performance does not win God's love. God views us through the performance and sacrifice of Jesus. God views us differently than some have been conditioned to view themselves.
2. The transformational Good News. God makes His children different. His children are free to obey, love, and bear fruit.
3. The relational Good News. God relates to His children differently. Because God's children are free from shame, they are free to be loved and to accept that love.
In Lay It Down, Tell demonstrates what Jesus told His disciples.
"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5
Those who belong to Jesus, must lay down their performance, their independence, their shame, their ego, and let Jesus work in them.
Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of Lay It Down: Living in the Freedom of the Gospel for my honest review.
May 17, 2016
Lay It Down came into my life at the most perfect time. I couldn’t believe how perfectly well another person could express the thoughts and emotions I’ve been dealing with for the past few years.
Bill Tell emphasizes the idea that we can stop trying to please God and instead embrace the forgiveness He’s offered to us. This idea goes against what western culture teaches us. We study hard in order to get into good schools. Practice makes perfect in order to excel. Want a promotion? – work longer, harder, better than your peers. The idea that we can do nothing, be ourselves exactly as we are, and God still loves us enough to forgive us is HUGE. It puts the action in God’s hands, our trust in His capabilities, our brokenness in His love. If you don’t feel spiritual enough, or never can do anything right – Lay It Down basically cries “STOP thinking that way!!” – God’s love is not based on a level of spiritual identity that you try to obtain, its not based on your performance. God’s love for people is solely based on HIM; out of the abundance of His heart he loves us. Its such a simple and pure and radical notion!
If you’re burnt out or struggling with your identity in Christ, I highly recommend Lay It Down. I’m still working my way through this book, but its already a game changer in how I view myself as God sees me: wholly complete and a new creation because of His goodness.
I was graciously provided a free hard-copy of this novel from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.
Bill Tell emphasizes the idea that we can stop trying to please God and instead embrace the forgiveness He’s offered to us. This idea goes against what western culture teaches us. We study hard in order to get into good schools. Practice makes perfect in order to excel. Want a promotion? – work longer, harder, better than your peers. The idea that we can do nothing, be ourselves exactly as we are, and God still loves us enough to forgive us is HUGE. It puts the action in God’s hands, our trust in His capabilities, our brokenness in His love. If you don’t feel spiritual enough, or never can do anything right – Lay It Down basically cries “STOP thinking that way!!” – God’s love is not based on a level of spiritual identity that you try to obtain, its not based on your performance. God’s love for people is solely based on HIM; out of the abundance of His heart he loves us. Its such a simple and pure and radical notion!
If you’re burnt out or struggling with your identity in Christ, I highly recommend Lay It Down. I’m still working my way through this book, but its already a game changer in how I view myself as God sees me: wholly complete and a new creation because of His goodness.
I was graciously provided a free hard-copy of this novel from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.
October 21, 2016
Lay it Down by Bill Tell reminds those nearing burn out of the hope and freedom found in the gospel. Personal confession, those of us in the ministry are often prone to living our Christian lives based upon our performance losing sight of the fact that we stand based upon Christ's performance for us. In the first two chapters Tell shares his personal experience with this problem and how he found hope. He sums up the problem simply when he says, "We are held captive to what we sense are the expectations, standards, and values of others (15)."
The first section brings the reader back to Calvary reminding us of God's unconditional demonstrated on the cross and addresses the areas in our life where a clear knowledge and experience of the gospel bring freedom. The second section reminds us of the transforming power of the gospel and the divine assistance given in the process of growing in Christlikeness. The third and final section addresses how the gospel changes how we relate to others.
This book reminds us of the beautiful freedom promised to us in the gospel. If you're in ministry and nearing burnout and growing weary please get this book.
Disclosure: I received this book free through Tyndale Blog Network for review purposes. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.
The first section brings the reader back to Calvary reminding us of God's unconditional demonstrated on the cross and addresses the areas in our life where a clear knowledge and experience of the gospel bring freedom. The second section reminds us of the transforming power of the gospel and the divine assistance given in the process of growing in Christlikeness. The third and final section addresses how the gospel changes how we relate to others.
This book reminds us of the beautiful freedom promised to us in the gospel. If you're in ministry and nearing burnout and growing weary please get this book.
Disclosure: I received this book free through Tyndale Blog Network for review purposes. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.
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November 22, 2017Such a freeing book! As someone who grew up going to church, it's so easy to know the gospel, and let the truth of Jesus' sacrifice for us become a mundane reality that's taken for granted. Oftentimes, when the magnitude of our forgiveness is forgotten, the freedom for which we have been set free is likewise no longer a part of our lives and a servitude to being a "good Christian" and doing "the right thing" results- in essence, a work-based faith becomes the basis of our relationship with God. Yet in Lay it Down, Bill Tell reminds the reader of the glorious weightlessness of the relationship we were meant to have with God, and the different aspects of freedom we have in Christ's forgiveness. Freedom from guilt, freedom from performance, freedom from shame, freedom from so many chains that I clung to. Tell challenged me to reevaluate the basis upon which I related to God, and the long-held misconceptions I had about how God viewed me. No matter what I do, good or bad, God cannot love me more or less because He sees Christ when he looks at me! I HIGHLY recommend this book, especially for long-time Christians who might be feeling a little luke-warm.
May 12, 2016
If there were six stars to give this book I'd gladly give them. Some books have such a needed message, you want to get it in as many hands as possible. This is such a book. The author speaks with such honesty and credibility, and the message resonates with any believer of Christ because of our hell-bent tendency to have self-determined faith. This is a plea to rediscover the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ, based on His merit alone. The difference it makes to lay down all our baggage containing whatever else we've collected as proof of faith is the release of guilt and shame of never measuring up to God's standard of holiness.
November 13, 2015
Very powerful book for Christians and those who want to know God. Bill shows how to be free from condemnation, for sin, from past mistakes and lies of the enemy. How God sees us when we fall and don’t feel spiritual? What does God do when we sin and when we imperfect? Bill shares his revelations on how God views us, how He makes us different, and His relations with us.
What a life to be free from condemnation, fear, punishment, sin, and how God transform us to be holly, peaceful, full of joy, full of love, full of good fruit.
What a life to be free from condemnation, fear, punishment, sin, and how God transform us to be holly, peaceful, full of joy, full of love, full of good fruit.
December 15, 2015
Bill Tell explains beautifully God's complete love for us in his book, Lay It Down. By writing about his own spiritual burnout, it makes the reader look at their own life and shows you that you don't have to go-go-go, be the best Christian who's into the most activities and have a non-stop spiritual life. God won't love you any less. And the good news is you can't earn your spot in heaven! Mr. Tell goes in depth to show you this. A great read for new and old Christians who might be on their way to spiritual burnout.
November 16, 2015
A good primer on what the gospel offers after salvation. A little too much usage of The Message to explain points, but a book I would recommend nonetheless.
December 18, 2015
This was a great book! The entire book is organized in the context of what we are "free from" and "free to" in light of the gospel.
June 12, 2025
We always have access to the same infinite love… there’s nothing more you can do to “earn” it… but are you currently aware & receiving it? Kroger parking lot
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