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God Impulse
For Jesus, truth and mercy went hand in hand. Where he preached he also healed. He didn't outsource one or the other to biblical scholars or nonprofit ministries. He presented the truth of the gospel through his words and his actions, and he did it all in a hands-on, relational way. And the reaction was the same wherever he went--people were amazed.
Today we seem to have lost this powerful pattern of self-giving love, focusing on truth at the expense of mercy or on mercy at the expense of truth, and often failing to build genuine, lasting relationships with the people around us.
In The God Impulse, Jack Alexander helps us recover Jesus's model, showing through biblical and modern real-life stories that God's first impulse toward us is mercy. He then sets forth a pattern for us to follow--to see, go, do, and endure--that not only spreads truth and love to those around us who are suffering but also causes them to gasp in amazement and consider the claims of the gospel for themselves.
Today we seem to have lost this powerful pattern of self-giving love, focusing on truth at the expense of mercy or on mercy at the expense of truth, and often failing to build genuine, lasting relationships with the people around us.
In The God Impulse, Jack Alexander helps us recover Jesus's model, showing through biblical and modern real-life stories that God's first impulse toward us is mercy. He then sets forth a pattern for us to follow--to see, go, do, and endure--that not only spreads truth and love to those around us who are suffering but also causes them to gasp in amazement and consider the claims of the gospel for themselves.
256 pages, Paperback
Published July 31, 2018
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575 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 15, 2018
The God Impulse is a powerful, thought-provoking, convicting and encouraging read. In many ways it blurs the line between the definitions of mercy, compassion, and love. In truth, they all come hand-in-hand as a part of God's character that we are able to emulate and hopefully make a part of our own character. Human nature is to think selfishly, but to be Christ-like is to put others before self.
The book defines mercy as "not getting the punishment I deserve," or "as judgement withheld" (Pg 35), but it also says its much much more than that. I really like how the introduction makes the point that "Biblical love is truth marinated in mercy" (Pg 22). Forgive me for calling out long-time church goers (I'm including myself here), but how often are we quick to judge others who are not like us and condemn them instead of having mercy on them to draw them to Christ? When we see someone living a sinful life, do we write them off or do we go to them and plant seeds for the Lord to water? "Sometimes we need to see and feel mercy before we can see and feel truth" (Pg 82). Can I get an Amen??
The book spends a significant amount of time on the story of the good Samaritan. I find this fitting for the topic. The author shares that "the point of mercy, quite simply, is to take someone in need--someone who's hurting or in trouble--and bring them to a place of safety. To help them to a sheltering inn like we read in the story of the Good Samaritan" (Pg 75). It's not enough to see a person in need, but we need to then "go" and "do" for them. The Good Samaritan not only saw the man in trouble, but he tended him to his wounds, took him to a place of safety, provided for his needs, and even followed up on him. The author makes a strong point that it's not enough to write a check to the needy. There is a relational piece that is vital to what real mercy is all about. People don't often need to be told they are doing wrong. But when we reach out to them in love with mercy, it can do a world of wonders to help change the heart.
There is also some time spent on the truth that sometimes the more merciful thing to do is to do nothing at all. There is discernment that is needed when to reach out and when we need to step back. For example, when mercy becomes a crutch. If we help someone out and our support is abused, then in the end we aren't really helping them. We need to have wisdom and seek the Lord's guidance with our mercy.
As I've mentioned before, I am someone who will often underline and write notes in studies like this. I did a whole heap of both in this one. It shares a powerful message and practical ways of putting that message to real use in our lives. The real-life stories shared were both shocking and awe-inspiring. I felt both convicted and encouraged throughout. This is one that I would definitely recommend. It's a great reminder for us to look to God's Word and what it says about mercy and how as we grow in Christ, our mercy should grow as well.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Books Publishing. I was not required to give a positive review. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
The book defines mercy as "not getting the punishment I deserve," or "as judgement withheld" (Pg 35), but it also says its much much more than that. I really like how the introduction makes the point that "Biblical love is truth marinated in mercy" (Pg 22). Forgive me for calling out long-time church goers (I'm including myself here), but how often are we quick to judge others who are not like us and condemn them instead of having mercy on them to draw them to Christ? When we see someone living a sinful life, do we write them off or do we go to them and plant seeds for the Lord to water? "Sometimes we need to see and feel mercy before we can see and feel truth" (Pg 82). Can I get an Amen??
The book spends a significant amount of time on the story of the good Samaritan. I find this fitting for the topic. The author shares that "the point of mercy, quite simply, is to take someone in need--someone who's hurting or in trouble--and bring them to a place of safety. To help them to a sheltering inn like we read in the story of the Good Samaritan" (Pg 75). It's not enough to see a person in need, but we need to then "go" and "do" for them. The Good Samaritan not only saw the man in trouble, but he tended him to his wounds, took him to a place of safety, provided for his needs, and even followed up on him. The author makes a strong point that it's not enough to write a check to the needy. There is a relational piece that is vital to what real mercy is all about. People don't often need to be told they are doing wrong. But when we reach out to them in love with mercy, it can do a world of wonders to help change the heart.
There is also some time spent on the truth that sometimes the more merciful thing to do is to do nothing at all. There is discernment that is needed when to reach out and when we need to step back. For example, when mercy becomes a crutch. If we help someone out and our support is abused, then in the end we aren't really helping them. We need to have wisdom and seek the Lord's guidance with our mercy.
As I've mentioned before, I am someone who will often underline and write notes in studies like this. I did a whole heap of both in this one. It shares a powerful message and practical ways of putting that message to real use in our lives. The real-life stories shared were both shocking and awe-inspiring. I felt both convicted and encouraged throughout. This is one that I would definitely recommend. It's a great reminder for us to look to God's Word and what it says about mercy and how as we grow in Christ, our mercy should grow as well.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Books Publishing. I was not required to give a positive review. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
September 26, 2018
Jack Alexander offers a prophetic call to the church in "The God Impulse." This prophetic call comes in the nature of many Old Testament prophets who call the people of God to be a people of mercy and justice! Alexander speaks to the church through the wonderful story of The Good Samaritan. While this is an often heard story and has certainly provided inspiration for acts of mercy in the past, Alexander breathes new life into the story, thus strengthening the prophetic calling he has been give by God to challenge the church. In exploring this familiar parable from our Lord, Alexander challenges the church to see, go, do, and endure as we respond to the mercy of Jesus Christ, offering mercy to others. Alexander rightly points out that we have received an extreme gift of mercy from our Lord and in response we need to be people of mercy. A basic characteristic of God is that He is merciful. In imaging God, we too must be a merciful people. Read this wonderful text and discover the challenge to see, go, do and endure in your acts of mercy. See the needs around you! Go to those in need of mercy! Don't stop with going though, also engage with the needy--form relationships! Then endure by continuing in relationship and being a merciful person for the long haul.
I received this book as part of Baker Publishing's Blogging Program.
I received this book as part of Baker Publishing's Blogging Program.
July 26, 2018
This is a Goodreads win review. When I see the news every day it seems all we see is violence, twitter fighting, trashing the President, global disasters. It is very depressing to see the World like this. So this book is a breath of fresh air to me. This book talks about the ministry of Jesus and how he combined mercy and truth in his teachings. However i think modern society has gotten way far away from this principle. Jesus taught hope and healing and love and if we could follow this more we would not have so much conflict. I have always gone through life with an open heart which people can hurt, bit at least it is open and I try to be a blessing to others.
September 2, 2018
This book goes into great detail about how we should be showing mercy to this world. Jesus displayed this through the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke. The author divides mercy into four parts including: see, go, do and endure. I think that the author did a great job of bringing in Scripture references to relate with real world problems. This book would be very helpful to Christians who are in any form of ministry, whether it is in a church, missions or their own neighborhoods and family. This book reminds us how the world is looking for us to show mercy the same way that Jesus did.
August 18, 2018
This book had great powerful writing with a compelling storing. This book will be of immense interest to conservative Christians who tend, by a reductionist packaging of the gospel, not to see or go to human need because the gospel story is made much to vertical. But the book will be equally of immense interest to liberal Christian. I highly recommend to everyone must to read this book. “ I receive complimentary a copy of this book from Baker Books Bloggers for this review “.
March 20, 2019
What I love most about this book is that Alexander begins most chapters with a story, a story of someone who is the best example the message he is trying to convey to readers. I think in doing that, I was able to relate to the message of mercy even more and feel connected to those who have experienced mercy from God or from others. Definitely a good read!!
March 21, 2021
The book does an excellent job about really pressing it’s message into your heart. With stories, illustrations, and ample amounts of scripture. It’s not riveting - you’ll be able to set it down and ruminate a while...which perhaps I would once have counted as a vice. But for this book it was definitely a strength. The book sits with you and burrows it’s truth into your heart. A worthy read.
December 28, 2021
A practical guide driven by history, anecdotes, and scriptures that make a case for the act of mercy. The author balances explaining our capacity for love and mercy, while proposing manners in which we may activate it in real life. The rationale made is compelling and despite a few humblebrags details the impact that have resulted.
August 6, 2018
The God Impulse shares the ministry of Jesus through his teachings he combined mercy and healing. A book that is full of scripture and reflection that shows how Jesus taught love and hope. An inspiring read that shows what a blessing it is to help others.
April 27, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. It taps into the very heart and motivations of God.
October 21, 2020
Such an honest approach to real living. 💕
November 27, 2023
I read this at the beginning of my faith and found Alexander's perspective to be incredibly helpful and refreshing as I stepped into a new walk of life!
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August 6, 2018The God Impulse: The Power of Mercy in an Unmerciful World by Jack Alexander and Walter Brueggemann is an insightful and eye-opening read that is full of scripture and reflection. A book that is sure to stay with you long after reading.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews