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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 1, 2025
I came across this book when Kay Arthur mentioned it in one of her studies, and while If is such a tiny book, it’s packed with gospel truth you rarely hear nowadays. Each line felt like a mirror held up to the heart — simple, piercing, and deeply anchored in God’s truth.
This short work isn’t a typical devotional; it’s a poetic meditation on what true Christlike love looks like, especially when tested. Amy Carmichael frames every line with the quiet challenge of “If I…” — drawing you to consider what it really means to walk as Jesus did. The language is beautiful and spare, yet it cuts through self-deception with grace and conviction.
I was especially struck by how Carmichael’s words move you beyond sentiment into self-examination. It’s not condemning — just deeply honest. It invites you to look at your responses, your pride, your compassion, your patience, and to measure them not against others, but against the love of Christ.
Though it can be read in one sitting, this is the kind of book that asks to be read slowly, maybe even prayerfully — one “if” at a time. Like a quiet whisper from another century, it reminds us that holiness isn’t outdated, and humility never loses its beauty.
Other readers have called it “a tiny book with eternal weight,” and I couldn’t agree more. It’s one of those rare works that stays with you, gently shaping your thoughts long after you close it.
This short work isn’t a typical devotional; it’s a poetic meditation on what true Christlike love looks like, especially when tested. Amy Carmichael frames every line with the quiet challenge of “If I…” — drawing you to consider what it really means to walk as Jesus did. The language is beautiful and spare, yet it cuts through self-deception with grace and conviction.
I was especially struck by how Carmichael’s words move you beyond sentiment into self-examination. It’s not condemning — just deeply honest. It invites you to look at your responses, your pride, your compassion, your patience, and to measure them not against others, but against the love of Christ.
Though it can be read in one sitting, this is the kind of book that asks to be read slowly, maybe even prayerfully — one “if” at a time. Like a quiet whisper from another century, it reminds us that holiness isn’t outdated, and humility never loses its beauty.
Other readers have called it “a tiny book with eternal weight,” and I couldn’t agree more. It’s one of those rare works that stays with you, gently shaping your thoughts long after you close it.
April 25, 2024
Short but convicting!
May 17, 2024
I will definitely read this again, my requirement for a 5-star review.
Having just finished a long, detailed Bible study, I chose this one because it's short and because I recognized the author, as having rescued girls in India and run an orphanage for them.
Even if it's a short read, each of her "if" statements are well worth contemplating. These are for any Christians trying to love other people, but I can't help but think of ones involved in serving others, whether in ministry or elsewhere.
Amy Carmichael wrote this upon feeling like she had failed to reach someone and was hurting over that person's choices.
The consensus among the other reviewers is that it's a convicting book.
The last section of the book talks about two reasons that "the adversary attacks love." 1) Because without love, people can't hear us. We become like "a clanging symbol" - 1 Corinthians 13:3 and 2) we might hurt some sensitive soul.
There is one point at which I'm not sure if I agree. Or maybe, I agree up to a point, but I'm not sure where that point is. It's the idea of tough love:
"IF I cannot bear to be like the father who did not soften the rigors of the far country; if, in this sense, I refuse to allow the law of God (the way of transgressors is hard) to take effect, because of the distress it causes me to see that law in operation, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
I wrote at length about that topic in my review of Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest", and I will include that snippet of that review at the bottom of this one, after my favorite quotes from "IF."
It may be telling about our society, or theirs of the past, if they were more willing to allow tough love.
There are too many good quotes in this book to ponder, but I'll put the most convicting ones for me and the ones that stand out to me most here, the ones I've seen done poorly or well.
Favorite quotes/quotes to ponder:
On prodigals, wanderers, and friends:
"IF in dealing with one who does not respond, I weary of the strain, and slip from under the burden, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I do not give a friend 'the benefit of the doubt,' but put the worst construction instead of the best on what is said or done, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I slip into the place that can be filled by Christ alone, making myself the first necessity to a soul instead of leading it to fasten upon Him, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I have not the patience of my Savior with souls who grow slowly; if I know little of travail (a sharp and painful thing) till Christ be fully formed in them, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF something I am asked to do for another feels burdensome; if, yielding to an inward unwillingness, I avoid doing it, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF the love that 'alone maketh light of every heavy thing, and beareth evenly every uneven thing' is not my heart's desire, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I sympathize weakly with weakness, and say to one who is turning back from the Cross, Pity thyself; if I refuse such a one the sympathy that braces and the brave and heartening word of comradship, then I know nothing of Calvary Love."
"IF I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points; if I adopt a superior attitude ... then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, think an unkind thought without grief and shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I can rebuke without a pang, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I am perturbed by the reproach and misunderstanding that may follow action taken for the good of the souls for whom I must give an account; if I cannot commit the matter and go in peace and in silence, remembering Gethsemane and the Cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, 'You do not understand,' or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; if I put my own good name before the other's highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I am soft to myself and slide comfortably into the vice of self-pity and self-sympathy; if I do not by the grace of God practice fortitude, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
On Pride:
"IF, when I am able to discover something which has baffled others, I forget Him who revealeth the deep and secret things, and knoweth what is in the darkness and showeth it to us; if I forget that it was He who granted that ray of light to His most unworthy servant, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I feel injured when another lays to my charge things that I know not, forgetting that my Saviour trod this path to the end, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I want to be known as the doer of something that has proved to be the right thing, or as the one who suggestes that it should be done, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I do not forget about such a trifle as personal success, so that it never crosses my mind, or if it does, is never given a moment's room there; if the cup of spiritual flattery tastes sweet to me, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF by doing some work which the undiscerning consider 'not spiritual work' I can best help others, and I inwardly rebel, thinking it is the spiritual for which I crave, when in truth it is the interesting & exciting, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF the praise of man elates me and his blame depresses me; if I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself; if I love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
On trials and being devoted to God:
"IF there be any reserve in my giving to Him who so loved that He gave His Dearest for me; if there be a secret 'but' in my prayer, 'anything but that, Lord,' then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I wonder why something trying is allowed, and press for prayer that it may be removed; if I cannot be trusted with any disappointment, and go on in peace under any mystery, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I ask to be delivered from trial rather than from deliverance out of it, to the praise of His glory; if I forget that the way of the cross leads to the Cross and not to a bank of flowers; if I regulate my life on these lines, or even unconsciously my thinking, so that I am surprised when the way is rough and think it strange, though the word is, "Think it not strange, Count it all joy,' then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF, when an answer I did not expect comes to a prayer which I believed I truly meant, I shrink back from it, if the burden my Lord asks me to bear be not the burden of my choice, and I fret inwardly and do not welcome His will, then I know nothing of Calvary's love."
That last one reminds me of Oswald Chamber's "But never decide the place of your own martyrdom," about the call to be faithful and obedient regardless of whether that was the hill you would've chosen to die on. His point, I think, was that if we are truly God's servants, we wouldn't pick and choose what is important, we would just obey, and let God choose.
Speaking of Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest", here's the snippet from my review on withholding compassion that I indicated towards the beginning of this review that I would share as well.
- - - - - - -
When I first started reading it [Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest"], I didn't like portions of it in which compassion for others was devalued. In fact, I quit reading it in the middle. A DNF. But, then I picked it back up when I was with my dad during his illness, and I found the remainder to be very powerful. So many people I respect list it as a favorite that I decided, years later, with a cooler head, to give it another try, and to figure out what is wrong with the portions that rang false, and what is right with those that rang true. Even so, it's taken me two attempts to get through it this second time around. It's a lot of thinking.
In my original read-through, it was several passages decrying compassion that bothered me. There is so much vast poverty and heartache in the world that I don't think God wants us to ignore. Chambers doesn't want us rescue people whom God is working through hardship to reach, in tough-love.
And, as with anything, there is some validity to that. "A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again." - Proverbs 19:19 Sometimes we learn things through hardship or negative consequences that we cannot learn any other way. But, I think the greater horror would be overlooking those that God intends for us to help.
Chambers said, "It is sympathy with ourselves or with others that makes us say, 'I will not allow that thing to happen.' And instantly we are out of that vital connection with God." (May 3) "And no saint should ever dare to interfere with the lesson of suffering being taught in another saint's life... sympathy only serves to weaken us." (Aug 10) "... and the so-called Christian sympathy of others helps us do our deathbed." (Nov 1) "Never be sympathetic with a person whose situation causes you to conclude that God is dealing harshly with him." (Dec 19) "If you think you are helping lost people with your sympathy and understanding, you are a traitor to Jesus Christ." (Dec. 20)
Jesus' healing ministry "interfered" with the lesson of suffering.
Having just finished a long, detailed Bible study, I chose this one because it's short and because I recognized the author, as having rescued girls in India and run an orphanage for them.
Even if it's a short read, each of her "if" statements are well worth contemplating. These are for any Christians trying to love other people, but I can't help but think of ones involved in serving others, whether in ministry or elsewhere.
Amy Carmichael wrote this upon feeling like she had failed to reach someone and was hurting over that person's choices.
The consensus among the other reviewers is that it's a convicting book.
The last section of the book talks about two reasons that "the adversary attacks love." 1) Because without love, people can't hear us. We become like "a clanging symbol" - 1 Corinthians 13:3 and 2) we might hurt some sensitive soul.
There is one point at which I'm not sure if I agree. Or maybe, I agree up to a point, but I'm not sure where that point is. It's the idea of tough love:
"IF I cannot bear to be like the father who did not soften the rigors of the far country; if, in this sense, I refuse to allow the law of God (the way of transgressors is hard) to take effect, because of the distress it causes me to see that law in operation, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
I wrote at length about that topic in my review of Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest", and I will include that snippet of that review at the bottom of this one, after my favorite quotes from "IF."
It may be telling about our society, or theirs of the past, if they were more willing to allow tough love.
There are too many good quotes in this book to ponder, but I'll put the most convicting ones for me and the ones that stand out to me most here, the ones I've seen done poorly or well.
Favorite quotes/quotes to ponder:
On prodigals, wanderers, and friends:
"IF in dealing with one who does not respond, I weary of the strain, and slip from under the burden, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I do not give a friend 'the benefit of the doubt,' but put the worst construction instead of the best on what is said or done, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I slip into the place that can be filled by Christ alone, making myself the first necessity to a soul instead of leading it to fasten upon Him, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I have not the patience of my Savior with souls who grow slowly; if I know little of travail (a sharp and painful thing) till Christ be fully formed in them, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF something I am asked to do for another feels burdensome; if, yielding to an inward unwillingness, I avoid doing it, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF the love that 'alone maketh light of every heavy thing, and beareth evenly every uneven thing' is not my heart's desire, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I sympathize weakly with weakness, and say to one who is turning back from the Cross, Pity thyself; if I refuse such a one the sympathy that braces and the brave and heartening word of comradship, then I know nothing of Calvary Love."
"IF I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points; if I adopt a superior attitude ... then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, think an unkind thought without grief and shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I can rebuke without a pang, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I am perturbed by the reproach and misunderstanding that may follow action taken for the good of the souls for whom I must give an account; if I cannot commit the matter and go in peace and in silence, remembering Gethsemane and the Cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, 'You do not understand,' or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; if I put my own good name before the other's highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I am soft to myself and slide comfortably into the vice of self-pity and self-sympathy; if I do not by the grace of God practice fortitude, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
On Pride:
"IF, when I am able to discover something which has baffled others, I forget Him who revealeth the deep and secret things, and knoweth what is in the darkness and showeth it to us; if I forget that it was He who granted that ray of light to His most unworthy servant, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I feel injured when another lays to my charge things that I know not, forgetting that my Saviour trod this path to the end, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I want to be known as the doer of something that has proved to be the right thing, or as the one who suggestes that it should be done, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I do not forget about such a trifle as personal success, so that it never crosses my mind, or if it does, is never given a moment's room there; if the cup of spiritual flattery tastes sweet to me, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF by doing some work which the undiscerning consider 'not spiritual work' I can best help others, and I inwardly rebel, thinking it is the spiritual for which I crave, when in truth it is the interesting & exciting, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF the praise of man elates me and his blame depresses me; if I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself; if I love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
On trials and being devoted to God:
"IF there be any reserve in my giving to Him who so loved that He gave His Dearest for me; if there be a secret 'but' in my prayer, 'anything but that, Lord,' then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I wonder why something trying is allowed, and press for prayer that it may be removed; if I cannot be trusted with any disappointment, and go on in peace under any mystery, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF I ask to be delivered from trial rather than from deliverance out of it, to the praise of His glory; if I forget that the way of the cross leads to the Cross and not to a bank of flowers; if I regulate my life on these lines, or even unconsciously my thinking, so that I am surprised when the way is rough and think it strange, though the word is, "Think it not strange, Count it all joy,' then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"IF, when an answer I did not expect comes to a prayer which I believed I truly meant, I shrink back from it, if the burden my Lord asks me to bear be not the burden of my choice, and I fret inwardly and do not welcome His will, then I know nothing of Calvary's love."
That last one reminds me of Oswald Chamber's "But never decide the place of your own martyrdom," about the call to be faithful and obedient regardless of whether that was the hill you would've chosen to die on. His point, I think, was that if we are truly God's servants, we wouldn't pick and choose what is important, we would just obey, and let God choose.
Speaking of Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest", here's the snippet from my review on withholding compassion that I indicated towards the beginning of this review that I would share as well.
- - - - - - -
When I first started reading it [Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest"], I didn't like portions of it in which compassion for others was devalued. In fact, I quit reading it in the middle. A DNF. But, then I picked it back up when I was with my dad during his illness, and I found the remainder to be very powerful. So many people I respect list it as a favorite that I decided, years later, with a cooler head, to give it another try, and to figure out what is wrong with the portions that rang false, and what is right with those that rang true. Even so, it's taken me two attempts to get through it this second time around. It's a lot of thinking.
In my original read-through, it was several passages decrying compassion that bothered me. There is so much vast poverty and heartache in the world that I don't think God wants us to ignore. Chambers doesn't want us rescue people whom God is working through hardship to reach, in tough-love.
And, as with anything, there is some validity to that. "A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again." - Proverbs 19:19 Sometimes we learn things through hardship or negative consequences that we cannot learn any other way. But, I think the greater horror would be overlooking those that God intends for us to help.
Chambers said, "It is sympathy with ourselves or with others that makes us say, 'I will not allow that thing to happen.' And instantly we are out of that vital connection with God." (May 3) "And no saint should ever dare to interfere with the lesson of suffering being taught in another saint's life... sympathy only serves to weaken us." (Aug 10) "... and the so-called Christian sympathy of others helps us do our deathbed." (Nov 1) "Never be sympathetic with a person whose situation causes you to conclude that God is dealing harshly with him." (Dec 19) "If you think you are helping lost people with your sympathy and understanding, you are a traitor to Jesus Christ." (Dec. 20)
Jesus' healing ministry "interfered" with the lesson of suffering.
February 19, 2021
This took me awhile to read. I was warned, and the warning held true. I could only read bits at a time as I was convicted to stop and pray about what the Lord was revealing to me about myself in this book. Great book, but not one you just read and set aside.
March 16, 2023
Not for the faint of heart. This book challenges the things within an individual that are not inspired by the Holy Spirit.
It could be a useful tool if that is your goal.
I gave it four stars, not five, because it was a book comprised of only questions and not all that memorable to me.
It could be a useful tool if that is your goal.
I gave it four stars, not five, because it was a book comprised of only questions and not all that memorable to me.
March 30, 2021
This was an interesting read that focuses on Calvary Love. It is reminiscent of 1 Corinthians 13. I don't agree with all the conclusions drawn, but it is one that forces the reader to think about what Scripture says.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2019
Very very convicting!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews