Grâce infinie

by Bryan Chapell

Une puissance qui libère du péché et transforme de l’intérieur

Nous parlons si souvent de la « grâce de Dieu » que nous en oublions parfois sa puissance surnaturelle. Par sa grâce, Dieu ferme la porte à toutes nos tentatives de lui être agréables pour éviter sa colère ou gagner sa faveur. Mais cela va bien plus loin.

Comment la grâce de Dieu modifie-t-elle nos motivations et nos affections ? Comment s’appuyer sur elle pour fuir le péché et obéir enfin de tout coeur comme Dieu l’attend de nous ?

Ce livre fourmille de références aux Écritures qui vous permettront de saisir pourquoi vous devez vous appuyer sur cette ressource infinie. Plus vous puiserez en elle, plus l’Évangile produira en vous une joie qui transformera votre vie de l’intérieur. Non seulement vous désirerez mieux connaître Dieu et ses plans, mais vous serez aussi libres de lui obéir sans compromis.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Religion, Faith

208 pages, Unknown Binding

First published October 1, 2016

About the author

Bryan Chapell is the president of Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, the denominational seminary of the Presbyterian Church in America. He began teaching at Covenant in 1984 after ten years in pastoral ministry. Chapell has a BSJ from Northwestern University, an MDiv from Covenant Theological Seminary, and a PhD in speech communication from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Before becoming president in 1994, he served for six years as vice president for academics and dean of faculty. He is a speaker in churches and conferences around the country, preaching and lecturing on topics including grace, marriage, and journalism. Chapell's online broadcast ministry, Living Christ 360, contains additional resources in his areas of expertise.

Reviews

[Fernando Peña · Rating 5 out of 5]

Al terminar el libro me quedo la sensación de haber analizado, meditado y aprendido sobre la gracia de Dios en todos los ángulos posibles. Es un libro de explicación clara y concreta, me hizo ver con mayor amplitud la gracia que vemos y podemos buscar en la Biblia.

[Imani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will probably read this book once a year, at least part one of it. I have struggled with the concept of grace for so much of my life in general but specifically in my relationship with Jesus. Bryan covered what felt like every possible misconception about grace very graciously. At first I felt like he said the same thing over and over but that's what made it so clear and impactful. So good!! Dense though.

[Ashley McKnight · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an easy to read, popular-level book on the necessity of grace in the life of the Christian.
I appreciated Chappell's emphasises on changing the affections, how the heart must be stirred in order to motivate change in the life of the believer. It is not by imposing rules and to-do lists. I was glad he tackled some common misconceptions of how we view "heroes" of the bible, pointing out that there One Hero - Jesus. These stories are not there to tell us to pull ourselves up by our boot straps but pointing to the One who would save us. He also spends some time giving some practical advice on reading the scriptures, how we do we approach them and see the grace of God in them, when they do not appear to speak of grace, and discussing the law and grace distinction.
The material is accessible and engaging. It would be good for someone struggling with legalism or someone new to the faith. Personally, I would have preferred more depth but the book seems to be aimed at someone who may be engaging with some of these concepts for the first time, and for that, I think it is well written. It is short enough not to be off-putting, especially to those who are not readers, while long enough to deal with the topic.

[Remibelio Matos · Rating 5 out of 5]

«Gracia sin límites» es un libro bastante sencillo y práctico que expone verdades fundamentales de la gracia salvadora, desde el momento que experimentamos y hasta hoy, la gracia salvadora sigue siendo la dinámica del corazón que nos libera del pecado y el combustible de la vida cristiana.
Totalmente recomendado 📚🔥

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do Christians really need yet another book on grace? The answer is yes. Why? Because I think Christians struggle daily--whether they are aware of it or not--with living in the knowledge of the grace they profess. Another good reason, I think, is that everywhere--in and out of church, in and out of "Christian" circles--Christians hear mixed messages about grace. Accepting, understanding, embracing grace doesn't come naturally or easily to us. We're wired to act and live in such a way that opposes notions of grace. We're wired to think that we earn God's approval, we merit heaven; that our standing with God is dependent on US and only us. Sad but true, that surface-only, "cultural" Christians actually think that they get into heaven because of good works. So essentially there are plenty of reasons as to why "yet another" book about grace needs to be published.

This book has THREE parts. In the first part, "this book takes us on the journey to discover how grace not only frees us from the guilt and shame of sinful lives but also provides daily fuel for the joy that is the strength of Christian living." In the second part, this book "explains how preachers, teachers, counselors, mentors, parents, and all others who share God’s Word can find grace in every portion of Scripture. My hope is that everyone will be able to see that grace is not a sidebar in the Bible but the consistent theme that culminates in the ministry and message of Jesus." In the third part, this book "attempts to answer the common questions people ask about how to find grace, and how to keep from abusing its blessings."

I loved, loved, loved this one. I found it to be a great read. I would definitely recommend this one to new believers especially. Though the older and rustier Christian could probably benefit greatly as well!! I'm just thinking I really wish someone had told me the great news of the good news when I was a new believer!!!

Favorite quotes:

You cannot claim as “Christian” any message denying that the grace of God is greater than all our sin and always available to cover it.

New obedience and daily living in harmony with Christ’s standards may enable us to experience God’s forgiveness, but we never earn it. God is not waiting for us to get good enough to deserve his mercy and pardon.

The most powerful human motivation is love. Guilt is not stronger. Fear is not stronger. Gain is not stronger. What drives a mother back into a burning building? Love for her children. Such love is stronger than self-protection, self-promotion, or self-preservation. Such love finds its highest satisfaction and greatest fulfillment in protecting, promoting, and preserving its object. A Christian for whom love of God is the highest priority is also the person most motivated and enabled to serve the purposes of God.

Our love will be as strong as our realization of the guilt of sin and the hell of consequences from which we have been rescued.

Our reception with God is a consequence of his grace, not of our works. Most Christians nod at this familiar truth, but fail to come to grips with its everyday implications.

Sanctification is about being holy as a consequence of being justified. Justification echoes the language of a courtroom to help us understand how Jesus’s provision frees us from guilt. Sanctification echoes the language of the Old Testament temple to help us understand how Jesus’s provision makes us pure, or holy.

Sanctification is about being made pure for a purpose: to further holiness in us and others. God makes us pure for his use in the world about us.

Our identity determines what we do; what we do does not determine our identity.

The message that Jesus loves us because we are good denies that the cross was either necessary or sufficient. The child who obeys Jesus to secure his love will be the adult who doubts Christ’s love when life’s temptations and challenges make it all too clear that we are not always his good little boys and girls.

Through that union, I have the identity of Christ and cannot be loved more, because I am already loved as infinitely as he. And because of that union, I will not be loved less, because Christ’s life, not mine, is the basis of God’s love.

Knowledge is power. We cannot do our Savior’s will if we do not know what he wants. Teaching grace in such a way that God’s people are left ignorant or insensitive to God’s standards actually denies God’s people their heart’s desire.

While, it is true that our obedience to God’s law is not the basis of his love for us, that does not mean that God’s standards are bad, irrelevant, or to be ignored.

Living in accord with God’s standards—no matter what else may challenge or tempt us—ultimately demonstrates that we believe that walking closely with our Savior is better than anything this world can offer. He is more lovely than anything else, and separating ourselves from anything that would distance or dishonor him brings us joy.

We do not become or remain God’s children because of how good we are or how much we know.

Knowing ourselves—our strengths, weaknesses, inclinations, susceptibilities—is also necessary to walk the path God has designed to bless our lives.

The first thing we need to know about ourselves is that we are human. I know that seems obvious, but without facing the implications of being human, we will be unprepared for the challenges of staying on God’s path. The first implication of being human is that we are vulnerable to temptation. We may think that our character, background, training, or resolve would make us impervious to the assaults of Satan that others experience, but that would be a grave error.

Because we are new creations, spiritual change is possible in our lives. Tomorrow doesn’t have to be like yesterday.

If you do not believe that spiritual change is possible, you will not strive for it. Knowing we can change keeps our hearts engaged and our hopes alive.

the answer to “Why do we sin?” is “Because we love it.” We sin because we love it. Consider this: if sin did not attract us, it would have absolutely no power over us. We yield to sin because we find it attractive, beneficial, pleasurable, or advantageous (John 3:19; James 1:13–14).

So, if our love of a sin is what grants the sin power over us, how do we get rid of that love? The scriptural answer is plain: with a greater love. No motivation is stronger than love. Guilt is not stronger. Fear is not stronger. Personal gain is not stronger. While each of these can motivate people for both good and evil, none is stronger than love. Through grace we experience the love that ignites ours.

Our disciplines do not make us acceptable to God because they are long enough, deep enough, or frequent enough.

The love we show is the love we know. In expressing his love selflessly and sacrificially, we sense more of the reality and depth of his love for us and, consequently, love him more (Matt. 22:36–40; 1 John 3:14–19; 4:12).

Our goal as faithful Bible readers is not to try to make Jesus magically appear in every text, but to see where every text fits in this redemptive epic.

Grace emerges on the page whenever God provides for people who cannot provide for themselves.

By simply asking, “What does this text teach about God and me, we will see something distinctive about his nature and ours—something that separates us unless he unites us to himself—something we require that he alone can provide. The provision may be specifically named in the text, or we may need to discern it by identifying the human need that requires God’s aid. The result will be the same: inevitably these lenses will help us see that God alone supplies the grace we need but cannot provide for ourselves. Even if there is no direct mention of Jesus—and most of the time there will not be—the text will lead us forward in our understanding of the grace that our Redeemer must supply (Acts 20:24; 1 Cor. 2:2; Gal. 3:24). Gospel glasses . Together these lenses (the two key questions) function as gospel glasses to help us see basic truths of unfolding grace (e.g., God is holy and we are not, God is sovereign and we are vulnerable, God is merciful and we require his mercy). Such reading glasses always make us aware of our need of God’s grace to compensate for our sin and inability.

Christianity cannot be found on any spectrum of beliefs where our behavior is the basis of our relationship with God.

Repentance does not cause forgiveness. If either God’s present love or his eternal forgiveness of us is determined by the presence or quality of our repentance, we are all in terrible danger. Because our hearts and understanding are yet imperfect, we remain blind to sins we will see only with further maturity—and perhaps not until eternity (Ps. 19:12).

[Irina Storozuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro sencillo pero profundo sobre cómo la gracia de Dios es lo que impulsa nuestra santidad.

El pecado que abunda vs. la gracia que sobreabunda es un tema constante en la vida del cristiano. Este libro nos presenta una visión bíblica de esto. No luchamos contra el pecado para ser mejores personas sino porque Dios derramó Su gracia sobre nosotros.

La primera parte nos presenta lo que el autor denomina la dinámica del corazón: el cambio real y duradero en nosotros viene de un amor profundo por Dios debido a la gracia que derramó en nosotros.

En una segunda parte, más breve, se nos presenta la forma de ver esta dinámica del corazón en la Biblia. Es una buena guía para tener en mente al momento de estudiar la Palabra y estar atentos a los destellos de gracia en los distintos contextos y géneros literarios.

Finalmente, encontramos unos últimos capítulos con respuestas a preguntas relacionadas con varios temas como legalismo, aplicación práctica, nuestras motivaciones y la confesión.

Me gustó mucho y considero que es una lectura interesante tanto para nuevos creyentes como para aquellos que ya llevamos años en este camino. Quizás es un poco repetitivo pero creo que es necesario taladrar esta verdad en nuestro corazón porque tenemos la tendencia a caer en extremos, ninguno de ellos bíblico. Los capítulos cortos y la forma de escritura sencilla nos ayudan a quedarse rumiando estos temas tan relevantes.

"Nuestros esfuerzos están escondidos detrás de los de Cristo, y esas son más buenas noticias porque las obras de personas muertas son inútiles ante Dios" (58)

[Phoebe Nugent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I should have written the review as soon as I finished the book - but here we are!

Really enjoyed this - challenging to consider all of life through the lens of grace and to read the Bible in the context of grace as well.
This book was recommended to me to help with preparing talks and sermons and it definitely gave so many good tips and pointers - although that's not the point of the book.

I keep being reminded time and time again that we don't earn God's love or grace, it's already ours. This book has been one of those reminders.

[Joshua Chatman · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A recommander en particulier pour chaque personne qui enseigne (prédicateurs, responsables de GDJ, enseignants école du dimanche) - et pour chaque chrétien en général !

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basing our identity on what we do is not the the gospel. The good news that Jesus came to share with us that our identity is determined not by how well we follow God's imperatives but by the relationship his grace provides. To echo the gospel principles that I believe and want others to believe, we have to change our words to say. For example, in sharing the gospel with our children , we would say, Don't do that your are my son/Daughter and I love you. I want their actions to be based on their identity, ( the son/daughter I love) not for their identity to be based on their actions. Their actions would vary, their family identity would not. They would always be my son or daughter. It is that reality you want to conform their heart to follow the father's ways. You don't want what they did to determine who they are, you want who he/she is to determine what he/she they did. That is grace in action.

Grace is one those things we cannot completely grasp because of sin. It is like jello in our hands may times. We either go from one extreme to the other. A license to sin or it can lead to despair knowing that nothing that we can do is enough. A biblical grace comes to our rescue.

It is the misunderstanding of justification and sanctification- the "who/do order". What is our responsibility and what is Gods. Is in this misunderstanding that many deal with guilt, resentment and insecurity. Do you struggle with confidence in what God has done and who He is? We can struggle with the works ethics without even realizing it. It is in experiencing the grace of God that it is never about us but about who God is. The struggle is to look what I have done and not what Christ has done. Not by my merit but because of God's mercy.

The study walks you through the stumbling blocks of grace and how you apply the gospel. If you are in despair, it may be because you are not applying the gospel. Grace always leads us down the path of humility.

Maybe one the stumbling blocks of grace is How? We know what to do, we know who God is, but how do we get there. What keeps us away from utilizing Grace in our walk? I would have to say that the how is not a "How to" but more of what keeps us from grace. From our motivation to understanding of the gospel and how it is applied. Love that is displayed thru gratitude. Grace is more of a response and not a ideology of Christianity. It is a response of our relationship with the creator and savior. It is replacing passions, desires for something that is lasts for eternity.

It is always good to read a study on grace. This is one that re-adjust our stinkin thinking for hope and love. That we forget ourselves and remember the goodness of God.

A Special Thank you to Crossway Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

[Becky Hintz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ashley McKnight's review of this is dead-on, so I won't repeat here what she already said.

Bryan Chapell's earlier book, Holiness by Grace, addresses a lot of these same ideas, but in a much more raw and thought-provoking way, with bold, arresting statements that send the reader scurrying to Scripture to test whether these things are so. I was disappointed to find Unlimited Grace lacking this depth and punch, but it seems to be geared toward a broader readership and I celebrate that. This is a message that should be read and embraced by as many people as possible.

[Danny Burr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very clear on its intent to explain the need for grace, but seemed to only stay on the surface. A lot of times it seemed that he would dive a little deeper into this or that point, but would suddenly move on to another point that seemed to say the same thing as the last but with slightly different wording. Some good nuggets in there, but would have liked to have seen more explanation of practical means of living out the grace we have access to through Jesus.

[Joshua Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Te ayuda a ampliar y conocer a mayor profundidad la gracia, sin embargo se me hace un libro bastante circular, debido a que siento que a veces fuerza mucho la idea con total de tocar el tema.

[Danx Daniel Bravo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Práctico, honesto, fácil de leer.

[Chrys Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlimited Grace by Bryan Chapell is an excellent book written to discuss the working of God’s unlimited grace in the life of Christians. This book is a breath of fresh air in a day in which many evangelicals either live under the crushing weight of legalism or false freedom of licentiousness. Upon reading the title, one might write this book off as a book which seeks to do away with holiness for the embrace of licentiousness and liberalism. However, what Chapell presents is true freedom in Christ through the unlimited grace offered to those who have faith in Christ.

Heart chemistry is a term Chapell uses to discuss the internal nature of God’s work in the lives of His children. Chapell states that heart chemistry "ignites devotion that is more compelling and enabling than any mental math endlessly computing personal risk/reward formulas.” The first section of the book (which covers nearly half of it’s pages) explains what this heart chemistry is all about and why it is vital for true Christlikeness. For Christians, it is essential that God changes our heart chemistry. Otherwise, we will never have the power required to live God-honoring, Christ-exalting, holy lives. The gospel—through the work of the Holy Spirit—brings about heart change, and Chapell presents readers with a pursuit of holiness and righteousness that can only be lived in light of this heart change. In this first section, Chapell discusses some important concerns regarding grace and sanctification, false security, union with Christ, the impact of love on our behavior, and the only power source for our obedience to God’s commands. This first section is worth the price of the entire book alone!

The second section focuses on finding grace throughout the whole of scripture. This section is a two-chapter lesson on gospel-centered bible study which seek to find Christ in all of scripture without abusing it in the process. Chapell says:
“Our goal as faithful Bible readers is not to try to make Jesus magically appear in every text, but to see where every text fits in this redemptive epic. Jesus is the culmination and climax of the whole story. So the stage is set for him; all that transpires on the stage relates to him; and we do not fully understand anything on the stage until we have identified its relation to him.”
Grace is found in every book of the Bible as God saves His people, heals the sick, clothes the poor, forgives the sinful, keeps His promises, etc., and Chapell presents readers with a framework for how to find these aspects of the gospel as we read the scriptures. These two chapters are vital for daily bible reading, bible study, teaching, preaching, and counseling. Without “gospel glasses”, we will miss the treasures of the gospel found through all of scripture.

The final section of the book drives home the application of the gospel principles taught in the previous two section to our lives. He walks through how to apply the gospel in view of God’s commands, the relationship between law and grace, and our motivations for obedience to God’s Word and commands. Based on the two greatest commandments, Chapell states, "If we ignore the grace, we unplug the ultimate power of obedience: a supreme love for Christ.” He emphasizes that love for God, love for others, and love for self (in the sense that we care about the temporal and eternal outcomes of our actions) form the primary motivations for obedience. He finishes by discussing that love is not the only motivation, and that fear of God, the threat of hell, and the impact of sin on our relationships with God should also motivate us to pursue holiness—though none of these other motivations will ever be enough without genuine love for God.

If you’ve ever struggled with legalism or licentiousness, Unlimited Grace will be a great resource to help you focus on the true essence of God’s grace. As God’s people, we must deepen our love for Christ, and fight to rest in His grace as we pursue the holiness without which we cannot see God. I highly recommend this book for all saints, but especially bible teachers, pastors, and counselors as it addresses some very important struggles found in our churches.

[Bill Pence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bryan Chapell, was the President of Covenant Theological Seminary for most the time I attended the school. He served there for three decades in teaching and administration. He is now the Senior Pastor at Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria, Illinois. Unlimited Grace is his latest book and it’s a gem, perhaps my top book of the year, right up there with The Whole Christ by Sinclair Ferguson.

Chapell writes of how he has been on a journey together with the people of Grace Presbyterian Church to discern how the grace of the gospel can transform a church by freeing people from sin and fueling their lives with new hope and joy. He states that this book is an effort both to reflect what they have learned together and to teach the values that he hopes will guide those who join on this gospel endeavor.

The book is divided into three parts. The first part takes the reader on a journey to discover how grace not only frees us from the guilt and shame of sinful lives but also provides daily fuel for the joy that is the strength of Christian living. The second part explains how preachers, teachers, counselors, mentors, parents, and all others who share God’s Word can find grace in every portion of Scripture. And the final part attempts to answer the common questions people ask about how to find grace, and how to keep from abusing its blessings. The author states that the aim of the book is to identify not only how these truths of grace affect our understanding of God’s acceptance at the end of our lives, but also how they empower our efforts to honor God every day of our lives.

Dr. Chapell states that the essence of grace is that God provides for us what we could not provide for ourselves. In this book he addresses many helpful concepts such as legalism, our identity, performance, behavior, holiness and motivation towards obedience, God’s acceptance of us, sin and repentance, the distinction between justification and sanctification, biblical fear of God and His judgement.

It took me longer than usual to read this book because of the number of passages I highlighted. I highly recommend this book. Read it and share the wonderful message of God’s grace with others.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bryan Chapell's "Unlimited Grace" unfolds as a captivating exploration into the expansive landscape of divine grace, seamlessly blending theological depth with practical insights. Chapell, a luminary in theological circles, skillfully navigates the nuances of grace with clarity and finesse. The book to get you out of legalism in bible reading, worship, and your daily life.

The book delves into the multifaceted dimensions of God's grace, addressing foundational theological concepts with scholarly rigor but completely accessible to even young teens. What sets Chapell's work apart is his unwavering commitment to grounding the discussion in biblical truth, creating resonance for both seasoned scholars and the broader Christian readership.

Chapell's unique contribution lies in his vivid portrayal of the boundless nature of divine grace. Drawing upon a diverse array of biblical passages, historical perspectives, and contemporary relevance, he constructs a compelling narrative that illuminates the transformative power of grace in the believer's journey. "Unlimited Grace" beckons readers to a profound encounter with grace, inviting them to reflect on its life-altering implications and embrace a deeper understanding of God's unbounded love.

The prose in "Unlimited Grace" is not only informative but also engaging, making it an accessible and enriching read for individuals across various backgrounds. Each chapter unfolds with precision, contributing to a cohesive and comprehensive exploration of the subject matter. Whether you are well-versed in theological discourse or a curious seeker, Chapell's book serves as an invaluable resource, deepening your appreciation for the foundational concept of grace.

In essence, "Unlimited Grace" gives you grace-filled glasses to view all of life under the gracious care of the Triune God. Chapell's work beckons readers to immerse themselves in the vast expanse of God's grace, fostering a renewed commitment to living in the freedom and transformative power that grace abundantly provides. This book stands as an essential read, offering profound insights into the enduring significance of grace and its profound impact on the Christian journey.

[Isaac Butterworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bryan Chapell's book, Unlimited Grace, is a treasure. I trust God's sovereignty in meeting my needs in His own time, but there is a part of me that wishes that this book had been available to me years ago. How easy it is to believe in grace and yet exempt myself from it because I attribute its effectiveness to some condition I have to meet! This is a grand irony. Bryan Chapell helps his readers to gain a clearer view of grace, which God does not withhold because we do not deserve it. (Otherwise, it would not be grace!)

We may wonder then about obedience. If God is extravagant in His grace, how are we to be motivated to live righteous lives. One of the author's key concepts is "heart chemistry," and he applies it to this issue with great skill. Asking why we sin, he concludes that we sin because we love sin. What is needed if we are ever to abandon sin is a greater love for God. And it is when we grasp the fullness of His grace that our love for Him displaces our love for sin.

I encourage you to read this book. You will enjoy Bryan Chapell's ability to "turn a phrase" -- and he is very good at it! -- but even more you will benefit from his treatment of grace.

[Mike Jorgensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for a paid assignment so it isn't necessarily a book that I would have picked up on my own. That being said, I studied under Chapell for my master's degree and held him in high regard.

This book is an introductory-level guide to Christian living and dealing with antinomianism. It is very good at that and drives home key points with repetition and effective analogies. As he comes from a more conservative tradition, it isn't surprising that he spends most of his time on the individual experience at the cost of addressing systemic issues. That being said, he does deal with charitable work, mercy ministry, and even the importance of racial reconciliation, but these issues are significantly downplayed.

I'm giving this book four stars because I would commend it to someone looking for this book. My issues with the book probably say more about me than it does about the book. I would like him to have addressed more issues and things bigger than a single person, but that isn't what he aimed to do so it isn't really fair to grade the book on the criteria that I imposed.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short little book has encouraged and grown my understanding of God’s grace that fuels the Christian life. The author continues to repeat, rephrase, and explain his premise: we do not obey God to earn His love; we obey God because He has graciously poured out His love on us already. This is a theme that I need to hear again and again and again.

About 3/4 the way through, the author spends several chapters hashing out how one teaches these principles to others. While the application of those chapters are especially helpful for those who teach and preach the Bible regularly, non-teacher readers will need to persevere through this section. The effort is well worth it to get to the final (and some of the best) chapters in the book.

[Drew Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bryan Chapell touches on something in this book that I’ve often wrestled with. If salvation is by grace, that is, if God does not love us because we are good, then why be good? If our good works don’t affect our relationship with God, then what motivates our obedience? Chapell’s (profound) answer is, the relationship itself - loving God and enjoying communion with him and wanting to please him. There is no greater motivation for obedience than love. The only way to obey God is to come to love Him. It is the message of the gospel, not the demands of the law, that create the “heart chemistry” for obedience. A great explanation of the impetus in my own ministry.

[Lee Gerrietts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: Bryan Chapell is the pastor at my church.

I think this is a good book to really understand the nature and extent of the Grace of God. Especially for Christians who grew up in the faith, particularly nominal Christians from a liberal perspective. Or for people who have found their identity in their 'performance' and success.

The point is really driven home throughout the book. So much so that personally, I found the book to be a little repetitive by the end so I skimmed the last couple chapters.

[Lisa Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took this book in sips, mostly a chapter a day, in order to allow myself time to process and time to let the ideas flesh out in my own mind. Chapell writes in an easily accessible style but the ideas he is communicating are deep and important. Most Christians have struggled with understanding the interplay between God’s grace and their own sin. Chapell builds understanding of what grace is, then how to see it - both in the world and in scripture. The last chapter on sin is one I will read over and over for a while at least.

[Lil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I never would have thought this book would make me reckon with how I view Gods love but here we are! What a truly empathetic and theologically sound work! I’m forever greatful for the friend who recommended this book to me as it instructs a biblical view of grace, AND how that looks in life, in the concepts of hell, in sinning, in the difference of relationship and fellowship!! Praise the Gracious Father who knew what we needed before we could even ask, this book glorify a Hod, and all we can do is worship Him who made all things, the Graacious and Just Father! Glory to God!

[PD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Content is 5 stars but editorial choices disappointed me. At times, it seemed rushed to print.

The content is a distillation of Dr. Chappell's teaching, preaching, and writing career. In many places it is a distillation of his preaching textbook and his preaching lectures.

This book would be great for a young believer or a believer wrestling with the relationship between God's grace and God's commands.

[David Holl · Rating 5 out of 5]

To live a grace filled life sounds so easy and yet if we're honest with ourselves, it is the greatest challenge we face. Bryan Chapell does an excellent job in showing us how it is our greatest need and how, by God's grace we can accomplish this. "We are ultimately controlled by what we love the most."

[Lauri Hogle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down

This book has given me clear understanding of God's grace in a practical and powerful way. My heart was stirred to create notes with Scriptures and prayer journal outlines, based on ideas in this book. I am utterly grateful to have read this book as it has already enriched my relationship with our Father. Thank you, Bryan Chapell!

[Colleen McFadden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to strengthen my Bible teaching. It helped immensely with thinking about how texts connect to the gospel, but also how to apply texts because of the gospel. I'm walking away with a love for God's grace that moves me to obedience. One caveat: I don't completely agree with his brief comments on repentance at the end. But otherwise, it's a stellar book.

[Danielle Frisque · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good topic, I didn’t particularly love reading this book, it felt dry and repetitive but with a message that never gets old.
Love this quote on the last page “If we faithfully confess our sin and then sin again, we should never hesitate to confess again, and again, and again - until our souls sicken of whatever is coming between us and the God who never sickens of our coming to him”

[Daniel Addo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace Explosion

In this book, grace explodes in all its ramification. Saving grace, securing grace, sanctifying grace! My heart is stirred with the knowledge of God’s love for me, which empowers me to love Him and all those He loves. Great book!