Love Me Anyway

by Jared C. Wilson

There may be no more powerful desire in the human heart than to be loved. And not just loved, but loved anyway . In spite of what we've done or left undone, in spite of the ways we have failed or floundered. We long for an unconditional, lavish love that we know intrinsically we don't deserve.

If you are tired, sad, yet always longing, bestselling author Jared C. Wilson has incredible news for that kind of love actually exists, and it is actually something you can experience--whether or not you're in a romantic relationship. In his signature reflective, conversational, and often humorous style, Wilson unpacks 1 Corinthians 13 to show us what real love looks like. Through engaging stories and touching anecdotes, he paints a picture of an extravagant God who not only puts the desire for love into our very souls but fulfills those desires in striking, life-changing ways.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Audiobook, Nonfiction, Faith

256 pages, Paperback

Published September 21, 2021

About the author

Jared C. Wilson is the Director of Content Strategy for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Managing Editor of For The Church (ftc.co), and Director of the Pastoral Training Center at Liberty Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri. He is the author of numerous books, including "Gospel Wakefulness," "The Prodigal Church," and, most recently, "The Imperfect Disciple." Wilson blogs regularly at gospeldrivenchurch.com, hosted by The Gospel Coalition and is a frequent speaker at conferences and churches around the world.

Reviews

[Ronni Kurtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from JCW. This one was fun, creative, and stirred my soul. Be on the lookout for an upcoming episode covering the book on the FTC Podcast.

[Wes Van Fleet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the last 10 years, Wilson has become a dear friend to me. We’ve never met in person but his books continually act as a dear friend who knows what I most need to hear, the good and the ugly. This book was so comforting and challenging. Deep down I’ve always had a suspicion that God loves others but not me. Wilson lathers the gospel on thick as the main demonstration of God’s love towards sinners. Wilson gets really personal in one chapter about a dark season of his life. I found that chapter so helpful and assuring because those are often the places where Christ Himself loves to show off his love. Great book!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grateful for Jared's persistence in writing about God's abundant, overwhelming, freely given grace. This book about love is beautiful, vulnerable, and convicting and full of the grace of Jesus. If you struggle with loving others or feeling loved or both, this one is for you. Please read this gentle reminder of Who loves you and that His love will never end or disappear.

[David Cowpar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do your heart and soul a favour. Read this!

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughout this book, Jared C. Wilson writes in an engaging, personal style, sharing stories from his life to help illustrate his messages about love, our struggles to feel or express love, and the perfect love of God that can fulfill our deepest needs. I particularly appreciate how he balances our need for God's love with the necessity of human companionship, instead of suggesting that lonely people just need Jesus. I also appreciate how well he structures the book around 1 Corinthians 13, addressing common pitfalls to love such as envy and keeping a record of wrongs.

Love Me Anyway is practical and deep, and Wilson's writing is easy to follow. I would recommend this to both adults and to teenagers, especially since Wilson shares so many stories from his own teenage years with compassion and sensitivity to his younger self. This book wouldn't be encouraging or helpful to a lovelorn or misfit teen if he made jokes at his own expense or made light of the pain he experienced at that age, but because he is honest about his immaturity and failings while also honoring the very real suffering that he went through, this book can encourage and help readers who are much younger than his intended audience.

Love Me Anyway: How God's Perfect Love Fills Our Deepest Longing is an encouraging, helpful book for people in a variety of life situations. Wilson does a great job of speaking to our current cultural moment as well, writing about the toll that societal breakdown has taken on people's close relationships and wider networks on social media. This book is an inspiring reminder of why it is so important to genuinely love other people, as well as a reassuring reminder of God's perfect love, which is bigger and deeper than all of our mistakes, all of our sins, and all of our failures. This is a very helpful and refreshing book, and I would recommend it to both individual readers and church discussion groups.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Carter Hemphill · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Acknowledgements, the author says that he wrote the book while completing a dissertation about the same subject. It shows since this is a theologically deep book containing quotes from Christian philosophers and other reputable scholars. I found it dense and quotable -- reading this book too quickly would cause one to miss many powerful quotes that demand one pause and reflect.

While some chapters are more autobiographical, especially the author's rather candid period of year-long marital difficulties, other chapters are more abstract, with rich explorations of friendship, envy, selflessness, forgiveness, and kindness. The final chapters end strong in underlining the title's themes for accepting God's perfect love and not fleeing from God's restorative light. A deep and worthwhile read. I think this would be an ideal book for a group study.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

He is a compassionate writer. When I read his books, it seems like he’s saying, “I see your embarrassing parts and faults, and I understand. Here’s Jesus.” This book exposed ways I’ve misunderstood love and mis-given love, both human to human and human to God. I’m grateful for Jared Wilson taking us by the hand and showing us the path of grace.

[Albertus Minimus · Rating 5 out of 5]

“How does God’s love for us change the way we should love others?” This, I think captures the essence of this honest, insightful, and thought-provoking book. It made me ponder on the depth of his ideas and reflect on my own life.

This book not only fed my mind, but it truly touched my heart. Very well written.

[Daniel Arter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclosure: I received this book as a free gift from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Wilson’s current ministry).

This book is a breath of fresh air concerning the concept of love (in particular αγάπη) and is worth reading. Wilson is witty, easy-to-read, and accessible in his argument concerning the human desire for love and what it ultimately reveals about human nature.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book on love (God's for us and us for each other) is very good. Wilson is excellent at showing the gospel in his writing, and this book is no different from his others on that. The gospel leaps off every page. It is a very comforting book while also holding challenges to make sure we're not hiding from God or running from God.

[Katie Resch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this book by Jared C Wilson. He came and spoke at our church at the beginning of September and I have been slowly working through this one. It’s very well written, it’s funny and weaves truth in there in a great way that’s easy to understand. It tells a little more about Jared’s life and his own journey in discovering what love is and what it means when God loves us.

[Adam Kareus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wilson always has a way of turning the phrase in his books and this is no exception. Love Me Any Way dives into what love is and how we are all looking for love, a search that will only be truly satisfied in the love of God in Christ.

[Blake Western · Rating 4 out of 5]

As is typical of all his books, this book is interesting and has many personal stories. The book is worth purchasing just for Chapter nine. It is a much needed book to explain the real meaning of "love."

[Brandi Breezee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wilson does a good job exposing our sin when it comes to love. He does an even better job exposing God’s perfect love.

[nate]

Wilson continues to write needed and helpful books for Christians who are looking for more than easy answers. His compassion and conviction are evident on every page.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, relatable, encouraging

[Peyton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing,heartfelt, and truly beautiful 🥹

[Keller (Charles Hack) Hackbusch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable…conversational & helpful. Recommended

[Ben Potloff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really good book. In my opinion, it got better and better as it went on and the last chapter is phenomenal. I think I need to reread the last chapter often as it so powerfully and clearly shows God’s incredible love in Christ.

I’ve described Wilson’s books as “gospely” in the past. This book if not different. I think that is why is like them so much. Give us more of that “gospely” goodness, Jared!

[Ashley Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've ever preordered! I bought the kindle version, but this is going to be one that I would like to have in a hard copy as well. I look forward to reading it through over again. There's so much to read and digest and think on that I read it in spurts. It's definitely made it to one of my top 10 favorites!