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Impossible Commands
Discover how obeying Jesus can be both possible and joyful. "Rejoice always." "Don’t be afraid." "Give cheerfully." What do we do when God’s commands sound impossible? Most of us find opt-outs and excuses, or pretend we’re doing better than we are. Author Jonty Allcock calls this "the madness of our lives" and "the slavery of the impossible". There is a better way. What if obedience could be a life-giving joy rather than a job, a delight instead of a duty? In this book, Jonty shows us that by facing up to the impossible commands of Jesus, we come to the end of our own will and determination, and end up at Jesus’ feet. We find ourselves in the hands of a God who can do all things. Where we fail to obey, there is grace. Where we succeed in obeying, there we find the miracle of the Spirit active within us. This book takes us through four steps - I can’t, I’m sorry, please help and let’s go - that will help us look to ourselves less and depend on God more, enabling a spirit-led joyful obedience.
192 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2019
24 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Jonty Allcock
8 books3 followersJonty Allcock is pastor at the Globe Church in central London. He is married to Linda and loves being a dad to three sons. Jonty is the author of Impossible Commands, Lost, Hero and Fearless.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
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October 6, 2021A través del libro Mandamientos imposibles, Jonty Allcock —pastor de The Global Church en Inglaterra— nos enfrenta a los mandamientos principales que contienen las Escrituras, llevándonos constantemente a reflexionar en cómo podemos obedecerlos con una actitud de gozo en vez de evadirlos.
Lee la reseña completa a Coalición por el Evangelio.
Lee la reseña completa a Coalición por el Evangelio.
June 9, 2020
I really needed this book to come along right now because this topic has been on my mind. I like the way Jonty deals with these "impossible" commands and doesn't get overly pious, but rather is honest about how we often will fail.
There's some good practical advice but the message for me was stop trying to carry around "Christian traits" in a legalistic way, reset your focus (on Christ), and set out to joyfully follow Him by heavily relying on Jesus and not your actions.
I think this text early in the book spoke to me most: "We fail every time we try to obey in our own strength. We fail every time we get proud and self-reliant...We will fail when God's word is not a delight to us. But for every time we fail there is forgiveness...We return to Him on our knees and ask Him for the power to go again. That's a prayer He loves to answer."
There's some good practical advice but the message for me was stop trying to carry around "Christian traits" in a legalistic way, reset your focus (on Christ), and set out to joyfully follow Him by heavily relying on Jesus and not your actions.
I think this text early in the book spoke to me most: "We fail every time we try to obey in our own strength. We fail every time we get proud and self-reliant...We will fail when God's word is not a delight to us. But for every time we fail there is forgiveness...We return to Him on our knees and ask Him for the power to go again. That's a prayer He loves to answer."
December 25, 2022
Brilliantly convicting - a great guide to 10 commands and what they mean. He expounds well and keeps the message gospel-centred, while challenging the reader to purge their lives of sin. Easy to read and well worth it. I'll be referring to it for months to come :D
January 27, 2023
This is a book I want to buy so I can read it over and over.
A book that sounds like it will make you feel bad and shame you for not following all of God’s commands, is in fact one of the most freeing books I have ever read.
This is a gospel rich book that points over and over to God’s mercy and grace and the Holy Spirit’s promise of help.
A book that sounds like it will make you feel bad and shame you for not following all of God’s commands, is in fact one of the most freeing books I have ever read.
This is a gospel rich book that points over and over to God’s mercy and grace and the Holy Spirit’s promise of help.
March 11, 2023
Very good and insightful. Would recommend, has many an important note for Christians struggling with the Bible's commands
November 26, 2019
Trust and Obey was one of the first songs I learned as a child. “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey.” A simple tune with profound truth. But reflecting on the lyrics now that I am older, I am caught in a significant dilemma. I definitely want to obey Jesus, but it sometimes seems impossible to do so. How can I obey Christ completely when his commands seem so impossible?
It Really Is Impossible
Author Jonty Allcock leans into this problem by acknowledging that, yes, Jesus’ commands are impossible to follow and obey. Who can really love God with everything all the time? How can we always rejoice in the Lord? How can we not be afraid in this troubled world?
Thankfully, Allcock does not leave us without a Savior. In the opening chapters, he points us to Jesus who is the founder and perfector of our faith. And he gives us a four-step process (I can’t, I’m sorry, please help and let’s go) to help us depend on God.
Doing the Impossible
He walks us through this process and tackles the impossible commands we find in God’s Word. In addition to what I mentioned above, he looks at the commands to be perfect, devote yourself to prayer, love one another, give cheerfully, serve wholeheartedly, keep meeting together, and make disciples.
While giving anecdotes from his own life, Allcock helps us begin the process of obeying God’s commands. Because obeying these commands will be unique in every person’s situation, he paints in broad strokes. He calls us to commit to specific Bible verses. He gives us advice on how to pray. And he gives practical suggestions for many of life’s problems.
With God All Things are Possible
Reading this book did not dissuade or discourage me from wanting and striving to obey these seemingly impossible commands. Instead, I am pointed to the Savior who helps me see my inadequacy and need to trust and live in such a way that I can serve in the strength that God supplies. And by trusting and obeying, I know I can find my true joy and happiness in Jesus.
I was provided a complimentary copy of Impossible Commands in exchange for an honest review.
It Really Is Impossible
Author Jonty Allcock leans into this problem by acknowledging that, yes, Jesus’ commands are impossible to follow and obey. Who can really love God with everything all the time? How can we always rejoice in the Lord? How can we not be afraid in this troubled world?
Thankfully, Allcock does not leave us without a Savior. In the opening chapters, he points us to Jesus who is the founder and perfector of our faith. And he gives us a four-step process (I can’t, I’m sorry, please help and let’s go) to help us depend on God.
Doing the Impossible
He walks us through this process and tackles the impossible commands we find in God’s Word. In addition to what I mentioned above, he looks at the commands to be perfect, devote yourself to prayer, love one another, give cheerfully, serve wholeheartedly, keep meeting together, and make disciples.
While giving anecdotes from his own life, Allcock helps us begin the process of obeying God’s commands. Because obeying these commands will be unique in every person’s situation, he paints in broad strokes. He calls us to commit to specific Bible verses. He gives us advice on how to pray. And he gives practical suggestions for many of life’s problems.
With God All Things are Possible
Reading this book did not dissuade or discourage me from wanting and striving to obey these seemingly impossible commands. Instead, I am pointed to the Savior who helps me see my inadequacy and need to trust and live in such a way that I can serve in the strength that God supplies. And by trusting and obeying, I know I can find my true joy and happiness in Jesus.
I was provided a complimentary copy of Impossible Commands in exchange for an honest review.
January 10, 2024
Application matters so much. Of course the God’s commands are humanly impossible to follow. But does that then necessarily mean we shove them all aside, thinking sin doesn’t matter so much since Jesus has already died for our sins & freely forgives us?
The following quote from the final chapter of the book sums this book up really well. A great and important read overall.
“Walking the road of obedience can be a little like that. On one side is the steep slope of joyless obedience. This would often be called "legalism".
This emphasises obedience in a way that makes it feel like a crushing burden. Legalism says it's our responsibility to obey God's commands, and we need to work hard. It leads to pride and self-righteousness when things are good, but shame and despair when we fail. There is little grace here.
But if you stumble the other way, you can easily tumble down the slope into careless disobedience. On this side of the mountain, we allow the message of God's grace to drive us to the conclusion that our obedience is not really that important. So it's nice if you can obey a little bit, but don't feel bad. Don't worry about sin because Jesus has forgiven you and loves you anyway.
Each of us will tend to fall into one of these errors. Some of us will even fall one way on one day, and then the other on the next. Many churches also have a tendency towards one of these mistakes. We need to be constantly alert to both dangers and instead seek to follow the path along the top of the mountain.
That's the path we've tried to explore in this book. It's the path of joyful obedience. It takes God's commands very seriously—but it also delights in God's grace and forgiveness for when we fail.”
The following quote from the final chapter of the book sums this book up really well. A great and important read overall.
“Walking the road of obedience can be a little like that. On one side is the steep slope of joyless obedience. This would often be called "legalism".
This emphasises obedience in a way that makes it feel like a crushing burden. Legalism says it's our responsibility to obey God's commands, and we need to work hard. It leads to pride and self-righteousness when things are good, but shame and despair when we fail. There is little grace here.
But if you stumble the other way, you can easily tumble down the slope into careless disobedience. On this side of the mountain, we allow the message of God's grace to drive us to the conclusion that our obedience is not really that important. So it's nice if you can obey a little bit, but don't feel bad. Don't worry about sin because Jesus has forgiven you and loves you anyway.
Each of us will tend to fall into one of these errors. Some of us will even fall one way on one day, and then the other on the next. Many churches also have a tendency towards one of these mistakes. We need to be constantly alert to both dangers and instead seek to follow the path along the top of the mountain.
That's the path we've tried to explore in this book. It's the path of joyful obedience. It takes God's commands very seriously—but it also delights in God's grace and forgiveness for when we fail.”
October 26, 2023
Isn’t Christianity about following the rules to get to heaven? Well, no. But God does command the people he has saved to live in the best way on their way to heaven. Yet, we still fail. We still fall. And some are just impossible: rejoice always, be fully humble, love one another, do not be anxious.
‘Impossible Commands’ takes you through some of those, expands out what the command means, and helps you to plot a way forward to be able to obey with joy. It’s challenging, realistic, yet full of hope and help to live how God calls us to live - which is best for us and gives him the glory he deserves.
‘Impossible Commands’ takes you through some of those, expands out what the command means, and helps you to plot a way forward to be able to obey with joy. It’s challenging, realistic, yet full of hope and help to live how God calls us to live - which is best for us and gives him the glory he deserves.
July 25, 2019
This is an absolutely brilliant book. Jonty focuses on some of the commands Jesus makes and how for us they are impossible to obey perfectly this side of heaven. But rather than excusing us from obedience the author reminds the reader how to pursue joyful obedience through Christ. It starts with acknowledging that we cannot keep these commands in our own strength, repenting, asking for Gods help and then making every effort to joyfully obey. This book is full of grace and biblical encouragement. A must read for all Christians.
October 12, 2019
A helpful and practical guide for Christians who are struggling to be obedient and equally torn by the slippery and tempting slope towards sin and easy living. Jonty offers a heartfelt and encouraging approach towards obedience, one that is not rooted in legalism but instead, a joyful one. A must-read.
July 5, 2020
Crisp writing. Takes important concepts, and explains it very simply and logically.
Even my 12 year old daughter, who read the first chapter, was able to understand.
Nothing that you will find new here, if you are a more mature Christian. But it is a good read, as the author writes well, and makes his explanation very clear.
Even my 12 year old daughter, who read the first chapter, was able to understand.
Nothing that you will find new here, if you are a more mature Christian. But it is a good read, as the author writes well, and makes his explanation very clear.
December 29, 2020
I found this a most helpful book. The guide for how to tackle these commands was useful and easy to remember ( I can't, Sorry, Help me, Go for it!) The examples demonstrated how to use these guidelines and I am sure will be of use to me in the future.
July 4, 2022
Fantastic book!
April 5, 2025
Nice sobering reminder that without God we can't fulfill our purpose to joyfully serve God through our thoughts and actions.
Would recommend
Would recommend
October 14, 2024
Deeply grateful for this joyful view of God's commands.
May 28, 2020
Could not put this book down
The spiritual food in this book made me realize my hunger.
Will give this book to my friends.
Thank you
The spiritual food in this book made me realize my hunger.
Will give this book to my friends.
Thank you
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews