If

by Amy Carmichael

What do you know of Calvary Love? This amazing booklet will help you meditate on God's love and become a channel through which God can disburse His love in the world. A little book with huge understanding about what Calvary love truly means in our everyday life. A classic.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Devotional, Poetry, Theology, Faith

84 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1938

About the author

Amy Wilson Carmichael was a Protestant Christian missionary in India, who opened an orphanage and founded a mission in Dohnavur. She served in India for 55 years without furlough and wrote many books about the missionary work there.

Reviews

[Lee Anne Cavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! An easy read in terms of time commitment but not so easy in terms of reflection on my heart. Love to read and reread.
For a taste...
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, forgetting "Who made thee to differ? And what hast thou that thou hast not received?" then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If the ultimate, the hardest, cannot be asked of me; if my fellows hesitate to ask it and turn to someone else, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

[Dhanaraj Rajan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a small book with superb reflections on Love.....

The reflections start with the conditional clause IF and ends with the same conclusion.

Two Examples:

1.
"If I say, 'Yes, I forgive, but I cannot forget,'
as though the God,
who twice a day washes all the
sands on all the shores of all the
world,
could not wash such memories
from my mind,
then I know nothing of Calvary love."

2.
"If I covet any place on earth but the
dust at the foot of the cross,
then I know nothing of Calvary love."

The book can be read in one sitting. But a person using it as a spiritual guide can profit from it immensely by reading each page and thus meditating on it for the entire day. That was the intention of the book.

[Glorious · Rating 5 out of 5]

So humbling and grounding. It's very short but should be a lifelong companion. I can imagine certain "If"s speaking to me later in my life more than they do now. And just, after making my way through the list, my own love feels so inadequate and imperfect in comparison. During and afterwards you just completely acknowledge your dependence on the Source.

[Lydia Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book has been a dear companion these days. “There is no need to plead that the love of God shall fill our heart as though He were unwilling to fill us: He is willing as light is willing to flood a room that is opened to its brightness; willing as water is willing to flow into an emptied channel. Cease to resist, and instantly love takes possession.”

[Marcia Richards]

This short "essay" challenges my walk of love...it makes the prayer of the Apostle Paul all the relevant; "..... That they may know what is the breadth and depth and height; and to know the love of God, which passeth all knowledge......" This is asking me, do you really know what Calvary love is?? If you do, do you realize that in essence, love is humble? I would recommend this book to every serious believer. It is a good early morning read just before going out to face the day..you will be forced to check your heart's response to each challenge that that day will bring...next to Calvary love...

This short "essay" challenges my walk of love...it makes the prayer of the Apostle Paul all the more relevant; "..... That they may know what is the breadth and depth and height; and to know the love of God, which passeth all knowledge......" This is asking me, do you really know what Calvary love is?? If you do, do you realize that in essence, love is humble? I would recommend this book to every serious believer. It is a good early morning read just before going out to face the day..you will be forced to check your heart's response to each challenge that that day will bring...next to Calvary love...

[Taneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book convicted me in so many ways and in so many areas. I decided to put a sticky note on the "ifs" that were especially meaningful to me, so that I can go through later and be reminded.

"If" is a book about true love. Not mushy, gushy, feel-good love, but hard and overwhelming love that brings victory.

Were I to give this book as a gift, I would bundle it together with The Greatest Thing In the World by Henry Drummond. If you want to learn more about love, these two books are a wonderful place to start.

[Paige Cuthbertson| Turning_Every_Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiny book... but must be read in small portions. This is deep, convicting material.

[Daniel Woodworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wasn't intended to be read cover-to-cover. I did anyway--I expect I'll revisit it in the manner it was meant to be read, but it is excellent, either way.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

One to cherish. I will be tucking this into the back of my journal.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple devotional book to be read slowly.

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 find myself taking lapses for granted, “Oh, that’s what they always do,” “Oh, of course she talks like that, he acts like that,” 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 do not feel far more for the grieved Savior than for my worried self when troublesome things occur, 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 perturbed by the reproach and misunderstanding that may follow action taken for the good of souls of whom I must give account, if I cannot commit the matter and go on in peace and silence, remembering Gethsemane and the cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very convicting short devotional book.

Quotes:
If my attitude be one of fear, not faith, about one who has disappointed me; if I say, “Just what I expected,” if a fall occurs, 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.

If I myself dominate myself, if my thoughts revolve round myself; if I am so occupied with myself I rarely have “a heart at leisure from itself,” 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 feel injured when another lays to my charge things that I know not, forgetting that my Sinless Saviour trod this path to the end, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first glance this small book appears to be something like a poem collection but it is so much more. Throughout the second section of the book are many brief thoughts of Amy's that challenge you quickly and force you to evaluate your motives for loving others. It is a very quick read but one that will challenge you in many ways more than others that are much longer. I encourage the reader to set aside a good two or three hour period of time to read and ponder Amy's words. This book is one that I plan to return to time and again and use it as a way of evaluating my work in church ministries. It's that powerful.

[Richale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this when you're confused as to how to go about being a follower of Christ in a world so indifferent to His love. This work on how our faith in God should point to Him, not to us, is the best I've read so far.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

a beautiful little booklet pointing out the ugliness of self while showing us the wondrous love displayed on the Cross at Calvary

[Kaytlen Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Treasure of a book! Immensely convicting and encouraging in every best way

[Kristen Helm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenging yet beautiful; cuts straight to the heart.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this booklet as a gift and will always treasure it. I want to read another book by Amy Carmichael. She is extraordinary! I think I will read Mimosa.

[DevotedToHope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!!! Wow! I sure hope I can make the time to read this every month! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Olivia Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

So powerful, insightful, and easy to read.

[Amanda Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! I intend to read this every year if I can!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short but powerful read. I was a hot mess after this book. It is one I will want to revisit over and over again.

[Kimmie Martocci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heart-rending exhortation for the deepest, utter abandonment to love with Calvary love fills my heart up, breaks it down, and produces in me a yearning to love others ever more deeply, though "the way of love is never the easy way...we must be prepared to suffer." Amy Carmichael illuminates the thoughts and intentions of the heart with care and discernment, allowing for fruitful conviction. She draws intimately near the worn and weary heart which loves with this deepest love yet receives hurt in return. What a blessing.

[Stephanie Sanford · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If I ask to be delivered from trial rather than for 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. “

a biblical look at love and 1 Cor 13….what do I know of Calvary love?!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If I forget that the way...leads to the cross and not to a bank of flowers, then I know nothing of Calvary love...Love is that which inspired My life, and led Me to My cross, and held me on My cross. Love is that which will make it My joy to lay down My life for the brethren. Blessed are they which do not hunger and thirst after love, for they shall be filled." This pocket-sized book packs a treasure trove of truth. A must read for your billfold and your bookshelf.

[Chloe Shearer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good. Insanely convicting but completely necessary. I need to print out some of the if testaments and hang them everywhere because they are so good. Reading this I realized how often I act and speak in ways that do not reflect the love Jesus has shown me on Calvary. 🥹😭

[Danielle Swartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, yet profound. Amy Carmichael’s words cut deep but are so necessary to reflect on as we seek to bear more fruit in response to the precious gift of Calvary.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series of Short Poems of Lifelong missionary to India, Amy Carmichael that make this the most powerfully convicting book I have ever read bar none next to the Bible. The works are too powerful to ever make this a quick read. Don't read this book if you aren't prepared to see your naked, wretched, human fragility and selfishness that hopefully will drive you to your knees in prayer crying out to a merciful Savior! This is #2 on my Top Twn All Time Favorite Books List.

[Kristiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This small book is a convicting punch to the gut if you claim to have the love of God. Three "ifs" in, my eyes were strangely wet. I know nothing of Calvary love.

[Joe Koehler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow - lots to process here. Carmichael takes a magnifying glass to every corner of our life and asks whether the Calvary love of Jesus has shaped that corner of our life. There are some profound reflections here (1 example below)

"If I feel bitterly towards those who condemn me, as it seems to me, unjustly, forgetting that if they knew me as I know myself they would condemn me much more, then I know nothing of Calvary love."

[Nathan Good]

The other Sunday, about a month ago, when we had prayer for healing I came up and was prayed over. I don't remember who, but someone prayed that I would receive a word from God, or something to that extent. After she finished her request, she left a second or two of silence and the word “Love” reverberated in my head. I knew that it was God speaking to me (this,actually, was the point in the prayer where I began to cry, that single word “love” brought the tears flowing) but I didn't know why. Was he trying to say that I needed to get love? That I didn't have His love? That I did have His love? That I was exhibiting it? I spent time in prayer asking God why this was the word he had placed in my heart and in my mind and he revealed to me that it is because I don't understand His love. I don't fully understand what it means, what it entails. I want His love; I want to receive it and I want it to fill me so as to overflow to others, but this can't happen till I understand what His love means.
I write all this to say that this book was very meaningful to me. I felt that it showed very clearly some key points in understanding God's love. Some of the statements contained in this book had more of an impact on me than others, but the book as a whole showed me more of what God's love really looks like. In the end we need to look to the Bible to grasp spiritual truths, but sometimes books such as this help to bring out things that we otherwise might not have noticed.

Below I've included some of the If statements that were especially meaningful to me:

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's love.



If I myself dominate myself, if my thoughts revolve around myself,
if I am so occupied with myself I rarely have “a heart at leisure from itself,”
then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I feel bitterly towards those who condemn me,
as it seems to me, unjustly,
forgetting that if they knew me as I know myself
they would condemn me much more,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I become entangled in any “inordinate affection”;
if things or places or people hold me back from obedience to my Lord,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If in the fellowship of service I seek to attach a friend to myself,
so that others are caused to feel unwanted;
if my friendships do not draw others deeper in, but are ungenerous
(i.e., to myself, for myself),
then I know nothing of Calvary love.