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The Beautiful Fight: Surrendering to the Transforming Presence of God Every Day of Your Life
In a groundbreaking book that rethinks spiritual formation, Gary Thomas argues that the contemporary church is in danger of accepting Christianity as a historical reality but not as a present power. Is the grace that pardons powerful enough to transform? Answering with a resounding yes, Thomas presents a compelling picture of what it means to be a "God oasis" in a God-forgetting world."The first chapter alone is worth reading many times. This is beauty and struggle. This is the death that leads to life."John Ortberg, Pastor and Author, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church"Set this book down ... slowly ... turn around ... and run away ... unless you hunger for a deeper vision of faith and thirst for genuine life transformation ... if you do, read on."Kevin Harney, Pastor and Author"Once again, Gary Thomas challenges me to live passionately for God and to apply his transforming power to my daily decisions."Kay Warren, Executive Director, HIV/AIDS Initiative, Saddleback ChurchThe Beautiful Fight will energize your life and your church. It will inspire you, equip you, and challenge you to delve ever deeper into what it means to be a truly holy believer, transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. Discover just how radical Christian transformation can be, as you learn to see with new eyes, think with a new mind, and feel with a new heart. Thomas rallies you to the Beautiful Fight--the struggle to fully express the wonder and life-changing power of Christ in this world through every aspect of who you are.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2007
61 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
About the author
Gary L. Thomas
61 books645 followersGary Thomas is a bestselling author and international speaker whose ministry brings people closer to Christ and closer to others. He unites the study of Scripture, church history, and the Christian classics to foster spiritual growth and deeper relationships within the Christian community.
Gary is the author of 20 books, including "Sacred Marriage" and "Cherish", that together have sold over two million copies, have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and won numerous awards . His writings have established him as a thought-leader in the areas of marriage, parenting, and spiritual formation.
Gary holds a B.A. in English Literature from Western Washington University, an MA degree in systematic theology from Regent College (Vancouver, BC), and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Western Seminary (Portland, OR).
He serves on the teaching team (and as Writer in Residence) at Second Baptist Church, Houston—a congregation with six campuses and 70,000 members—and is an adjunct faculty member at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon and Houston Theological Seminary in Houston Texas.
Gary’s speaking ministry has led him to speak in 49 states and nine different countries, and on numerous national television and radio programs, including multiple appearances on Focus on the Family and Family Life Today. Gary’s interviews on Focus on the Family have been chosen among the “Best of 2013,” “Best of 2014” and “Best of 2017.” Gary is a lifelong advocate of using the Christian classics to bring people closer to Christ.
Gary enjoys running in his spare time and has completed 14 marathons, including the Boston Marathon three times. He and his wife Lisa have been married for 35 years and they have three adult children and the smartest, cutest, most adorable granddaughter on the planet.
Gary Thomas – Bringing people closer to Christ and closer to others.
Gary is the author of 20 books, including "Sacred Marriage" and "Cherish", that together have sold over two million copies, have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and won numerous awards . His writings have established him as a thought-leader in the areas of marriage, parenting, and spiritual formation.
Gary holds a B.A. in English Literature from Western Washington University, an MA degree in systematic theology from Regent College (Vancouver, BC), and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Western Seminary (Portland, OR).
He serves on the teaching team (and as Writer in Residence) at Second Baptist Church, Houston—a congregation with six campuses and 70,000 members—and is an adjunct faculty member at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon and Houston Theological Seminary in Houston Texas.
Gary’s speaking ministry has led him to speak in 49 states and nine different countries, and on numerous national television and radio programs, including multiple appearances on Focus on the Family and Family Life Today. Gary’s interviews on Focus on the Family have been chosen among the “Best of 2013,” “Best of 2014” and “Best of 2017.” Gary is a lifelong advocate of using the Christian classics to bring people closer to Christ.
Gary enjoys running in his spare time and has completed 14 marathons, including the Boston Marathon three times. He and his wife Lisa have been married for 35 years and they have three adult children and the smartest, cutest, most adorable granddaughter on the planet.
Gary Thomas – Bringing people closer to Christ and closer to others.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 26, 2014
THOUGHTS
'Twas a really good book. Lots of nuggets. I'm in agreement with his thesis - that transformation occurs we live in surrender to the inner spirit of Christ within us (Gal 2:20) - and I enjoyed his use of both modern day and ancient examples. I would say that this is quite a wordy book - if one were in a rush they could likely get a fair amount out of simply reading through the summaries that Thomas helpfully provides at the end of each chapter. A book that comes to mind as a great complement to this work would be "The Hole in our Holiness" by Keven de Young.
QUOTES
“ ...church as we define it today is often structured around “discussing” issues, praying about them, and feeling inspired at the thought of them. We need to become like [St.] Francis [the author had mentioned his example of kissing the lepers he once despised], finding ways to enflesh - live out and apply - the stretching truths of our faith.” pg. 22
“Evangelicalism has spent the last several decades making the apologetic and historical case for Jesus. We have published books, offered seminars, and filled magazine with the historical claims and compelling intellectual arguments for the Christian faith. Thank God for this important work - but sadly, some of us have neglected the experiential case for the Christian faith, a case that may be even more persuasive with younger generations.” pg. 28
“I am in no arguing for anti-intellectualism; our faith is based on the authority of an intellectually accurate understanding of Scripture. What I am trying to challenge is the sense of “either/or” that often fuels the debate. Why must we choose between good theology and experiential living? They are not competitors but allies… there are two ways to witness: teaching the Word of God and ‘comporting [ourselves] as Christians without arguing or quarrelling with anyone.’” pg. 28
“Rodney Stark: “typically people do not seek a faith; they encounter one through their ties to other people who already accept this faith.” If we don’t stress experience as well as reason, people will never encounter the reality of our faith, because they simply cannot read our minds.”
Ephesians 4:17-10 - “the futility of their thinking”
“I have seen men who don’t practice holiness start preaching nothing but grace - forgetting all about real change and transformation. I have also seen men who are deeply convicted about unrepented sin preach with anger and venom, forgetting all about forgiveness and mercy. Both camps miss totality of God's grace, because they it from only one side. They are led into either misunderstanding God’s forgiveness, which exalts “tolerance”: over transformation, or misunderstanding God’s judgment, which leads only to condemnation. Because their souls have grown weak their minds cannot grasp the full reality of grace that pardons and transforms.
What we do affects how we think. There is no getting around this truth. Right living supports right doctrine; vice versa. We desperately need both.” pg. 111
“Teacher must give their minds to God so that God can give his thoughts to the congregation.” pg. 113
“Do we have the same passion [of a disciplined writer such as Hemingway], the same gaurdedness, the same zeal, to join the Beautiful Fight of cultivating the mind of Christ? Since, in Christ, such a pursuit is possible, how faithfully are we taking advantage of it? Are we so steeped in cultural amusements that we allow ourselves to get lazy?” pg. 117
“It’s not as if I’m called to find out the will of God and then accomplish it in my own strength. On the contrary, not only does God call me; he also equips me, sustains me, and empowers me. Anything less is a Christless Christianity.” pg. 128
“The real danger is not just the sin [he’s highlighting materialistic and sexual sin here], but the fact that the sin has so intoxicated us that we don’t even know we’re intoxicated. This sin inebriation starts to feel normal.” pg. 144
“Jesus said the problem arises not when our hearts become totally blackened but when ou hearts become calloused. That’s what stops us from hearing, seeing, and understanding. A callus builds up over time; it doesn’t appear instantaneously.” pg. 145
“ The fear of God is what is left of the storm when you have a safe place to watch it right in the middle of it.
…. And so we get an idea of how we feel both hope and fear at the same time. Hope turns fear into a happy trembling and peaceful wonder; and fear takes everything trivial out of hope and makes it serious. The terrors of God make the pleasures of his people intense. The fireside fellowship is all the sweeter when the storm is howling outside the cottage.”
John Piper, pg. 148
“Here’s the well-known trap: temporal pleasures can easily crowd out eternal ones. We are told to let go of cheap substitutes for the same reason that our parents told us not to eat a bag of potato chips a half hour before dinner. If we want to truly relish genuine spiritual nutrition, we must be willing to grow just a little bit hungry without immediately running toward a sin substitute.” pg. 151
“One of the great dangers of sin is that it keeps us selfishly preoccupied and shut up to the reality of God’s working in and through our lives SOme people become preoccupied with sin by becoming addicted; they get to the point where they can't think of anything else. They’re not available to be used by God, because their fight is focused on their own plight - will I or won’t I fall? pg. 167
“God didn’t design us to feel captivated by sobriety, chastity, or financial responsibility; he created us to be captivated by him.” pg. 167
“Public ministry.. doesn’t necessarily require a corresponding life… But private ministry is different. Spontaneous, God-directed private ministry doesn’t usually come to me when I’m not spiritually healthy. By “tuning in” to God, God tunes me in to people, bringing them my way.
pg. 170
“One reason it is so essential for my faith to take root in my behavior is so that those who hear about my faith don’t turn away through my lack of example.” pg. 185
“...when I refuse to face the pain of transformation [the beautiful fight], eventually I must endure the misery of my immaturity.” pg. 199
“”Not knowing God puts you at the mercy of your passions - and they have no mercy without God.” John Piper, pg. 199
“Perhaps one of the reasons we so feebly bear the mark of Christ’s promised transforming work in our lives is that we refuse to pay such a high price. We want to be delivered from troubles instead of being delivered from our sin.” pg. 207
“...for while God loves the addict, he hates the addiction and would rather have us suffer than remain slaves to anything but him.” pg. 208 (fear of God, humility--> grace, surrender, perseverance, gratitude) pg. 208
“Grace is opposed to earning, not effort… Some people mistake “letting go and letting God” as a call to simply stop trying.But grace doesn’t remove human effort; it focuses it and empowers it.” pg. 224
“Transformation is never about winning his favor but rather about revealing his presence.” pg. 233
'Twas a really good book. Lots of nuggets. I'm in agreement with his thesis - that transformation occurs we live in surrender to the inner spirit of Christ within us (Gal 2:20) - and I enjoyed his use of both modern day and ancient examples. I would say that this is quite a wordy book - if one were in a rush they could likely get a fair amount out of simply reading through the summaries that Thomas helpfully provides at the end of each chapter. A book that comes to mind as a great complement to this work would be "The Hole in our Holiness" by Keven de Young.
QUOTES
“ ...church as we define it today is often structured around “discussing” issues, praying about them, and feeling inspired at the thought of them. We need to become like [St.] Francis [the author had mentioned his example of kissing the lepers he once despised], finding ways to enflesh - live out and apply - the stretching truths of our faith.” pg. 22
“Evangelicalism has spent the last several decades making the apologetic and historical case for Jesus. We have published books, offered seminars, and filled magazine with the historical claims and compelling intellectual arguments for the Christian faith. Thank God for this important work - but sadly, some of us have neglected the experiential case for the Christian faith, a case that may be even more persuasive with younger generations.” pg. 28
“I am in no arguing for anti-intellectualism; our faith is based on the authority of an intellectually accurate understanding of Scripture. What I am trying to challenge is the sense of “either/or” that often fuels the debate. Why must we choose between good theology and experiential living? They are not competitors but allies… there are two ways to witness: teaching the Word of God and ‘comporting [ourselves] as Christians without arguing or quarrelling with anyone.’” pg. 28
“Rodney Stark: “typically people do not seek a faith; they encounter one through their ties to other people who already accept this faith.” If we don’t stress experience as well as reason, people will never encounter the reality of our faith, because they simply cannot read our minds.”
Ephesians 4:17-10 - “the futility of their thinking”
“I have seen men who don’t practice holiness start preaching nothing but grace - forgetting all about real change and transformation. I have also seen men who are deeply convicted about unrepented sin preach with anger and venom, forgetting all about forgiveness and mercy. Both camps miss totality of God's grace, because they it from only one side. They are led into either misunderstanding God’s forgiveness, which exalts “tolerance”: over transformation, or misunderstanding God’s judgment, which leads only to condemnation. Because their souls have grown weak their minds cannot grasp the full reality of grace that pardons and transforms.
What we do affects how we think. There is no getting around this truth. Right living supports right doctrine; vice versa. We desperately need both.” pg. 111
“Teacher must give their minds to God so that God can give his thoughts to the congregation.” pg. 113
“Do we have the same passion [of a disciplined writer such as Hemingway], the same gaurdedness, the same zeal, to join the Beautiful Fight of cultivating the mind of Christ? Since, in Christ, such a pursuit is possible, how faithfully are we taking advantage of it? Are we so steeped in cultural amusements that we allow ourselves to get lazy?” pg. 117
“It’s not as if I’m called to find out the will of God and then accomplish it in my own strength. On the contrary, not only does God call me; he also equips me, sustains me, and empowers me. Anything less is a Christless Christianity.” pg. 128
“The real danger is not just the sin [he’s highlighting materialistic and sexual sin here], but the fact that the sin has so intoxicated us that we don’t even know we’re intoxicated. This sin inebriation starts to feel normal.” pg. 144
“Jesus said the problem arises not when our hearts become totally blackened but when ou hearts become calloused. That’s what stops us from hearing, seeing, and understanding. A callus builds up over time; it doesn’t appear instantaneously.” pg. 145
“ The fear of God is what is left of the storm when you have a safe place to watch it right in the middle of it.
…. And so we get an idea of how we feel both hope and fear at the same time. Hope turns fear into a happy trembling and peaceful wonder; and fear takes everything trivial out of hope and makes it serious. The terrors of God make the pleasures of his people intense. The fireside fellowship is all the sweeter when the storm is howling outside the cottage.”
John Piper, pg. 148
“Here’s the well-known trap: temporal pleasures can easily crowd out eternal ones. We are told to let go of cheap substitutes for the same reason that our parents told us not to eat a bag of potato chips a half hour before dinner. If we want to truly relish genuine spiritual nutrition, we must be willing to grow just a little bit hungry without immediately running toward a sin substitute.” pg. 151
“One of the great dangers of sin is that it keeps us selfishly preoccupied and shut up to the reality of God’s working in and through our lives SOme people become preoccupied with sin by becoming addicted; they get to the point where they can't think of anything else. They’re not available to be used by God, because their fight is focused on their own plight - will I or won’t I fall? pg. 167
“God didn’t design us to feel captivated by sobriety, chastity, or financial responsibility; he created us to be captivated by him.” pg. 167
“Public ministry.. doesn’t necessarily require a corresponding life… But private ministry is different. Spontaneous, God-directed private ministry doesn’t usually come to me when I’m not spiritually healthy. By “tuning in” to God, God tunes me in to people, bringing them my way.
pg. 170
“One reason it is so essential for my faith to take root in my behavior is so that those who hear about my faith don’t turn away through my lack of example.” pg. 185
“...when I refuse to face the pain of transformation [the beautiful fight], eventually I must endure the misery of my immaturity.” pg. 199
“”Not knowing God puts you at the mercy of your passions - and they have no mercy without God.” John Piper, pg. 199
“Perhaps one of the reasons we so feebly bear the mark of Christ’s promised transforming work in our lives is that we refuse to pay such a high price. We want to be delivered from troubles instead of being delivered from our sin.” pg. 207
“...for while God loves the addict, he hates the addiction and would rather have us suffer than remain slaves to anything but him.” pg. 208 (fear of God, humility--> grace, surrender, perseverance, gratitude) pg. 208
“Grace is opposed to earning, not effort… Some people mistake “letting go and letting God” as a call to simply stop trying.But grace doesn’t remove human effort; it focuses it and empowers it.” pg. 224
“Transformation is never about winning his favor but rather about revealing his presence.” pg. 233
March 14, 2016
I love Thomas' writing, as it is clearly wrought of his life as much as his study. This book was not exactly what I was expecting, as it focused much more on the first half of the title (the beautiful fight) than the latter. He certainly clearly emphasized the seldom realized Truth that it is only by living in God's presence that we are able to fight and win the beautiful fight, but the practical outworking of that living is not a primary focus of this book.
As I work in full-time ministry, I find most often that people are lost on what abiding, living with God, looks like, as it is so often referenced in church but not described. I would recommend readers going to WITH by Skye Jethani, followed by SACRED RHYTHMS by Ruth Haley Barton before coming to this work, which focuses primarily on growing into the righteousness imputed to us at salvation as we live our lives in His presence.
As I work in full-time ministry, I find most often that people are lost on what abiding, living with God, looks like, as it is so often referenced in church but not described. I would recommend readers going to WITH by Skye Jethani, followed by SACRED RHYTHMS by Ruth Haley Barton before coming to this work, which focuses primarily on growing into the righteousness imputed to us at salvation as we live our lives in His presence.
January 16, 2020
I Am Speechless After Reading This Book!
Gary Thomas is truly anointed by God! I just finished reading Holy Available and I am on fire. I realize how much I lack in this area but, whatever it takes the Holy Spirit to do inside of me so I can surrender more of me to God for His purpose, I WANT IT!!!!!!!
I highly recommend this book for those who are serious in wanting God to use them!
God bless you, Brother Gary...
Gary Thomas is truly anointed by God! I just finished reading Holy Available and I am on fire. I realize how much I lack in this area but, whatever it takes the Holy Spirit to do inside of me so I can surrender more of me to God for His purpose, I WANT IT!!!!!!!
I highly recommend this book for those who are serious in wanting God to use them!
God bless you, Brother Gary...
October 20, 2025
The Beautiful Fight surprised me! I have always loved Gary Thomas' books, but being that this one didn't have the word "Sacred" in its title and it didn't have anything to do with marriage, I wondered if this would live up to the level of impact as the other ones. But wow, was it a GREAT read! I found that the book had a clear vision in it, and the theological conversations around Christ's incarnation and ascension were especially powerful. While I wouldn't say this was my favorite Gary Thomas book, it is definitely up there as one of them.
Rating: 9/10, five stars!
Rating: 9/10, five stars!
February 6, 2017
I much prefer the new title, "Holy Available: What If Holiness Is about More Than What We Don’t Do?" I think that captures the theme of the book better, and certainly is what I got out of the book.
March 15, 2017
Profound
A book to make one think and open one's eyes. A thoughtful and doable path to cooperate with God to allow holy change to come. To become wholly and holy available. A very clear and understandable inspiring read.
A book to make one think and open one's eyes. A thoughtful and doable path to cooperate with God to allow holy change to come. To become wholly and holy available. A very clear and understandable inspiring read.
March 9, 2017
Gary Thomas is one of my favorite authors. He's set the bar really high for himself. I found this book a little less engaging than his others that I've read, but that's not to say I didn't get a lot out of it. I did. I just didn't connect quite as much with the subject matter of this book.
March 23, 2009
This is a great book to remind Christians that just being in church is not enough. One of my favorite images that Gary evokes is that going to church or spending time praying are like a lunch break--they can be used to rest and restore people. But when the relaxing is done, it's time to go back to "work."
What is "work," in this case? It's continually evaluating our inner state and making ourselves available to God. It's learning to see with his eyes, hear with his ears, and be his hands and feet in the world. We can't be arrogant or hateful and be living Christ-centered, transformed lives at the same time.
The other important issue Gary brings up is that Christians often focus far too much on the words "don't" or "shouldn't" and not on the words "do" or "should." Understanding that we have a loving God should inspire us to do the same for others--mere moralism is not enough. We have all failed to do good to other people and to ourselves too many times to judge other people for failing in the same ways.
Something that annoyed me about the book: It seemed that at least once per chapter, the author made a "please don't take this the wrong way" kind of disclaimer. His writing felt defensive to me because of this, as though he had to justify everything.
Overall, though, this book brings some great insights into how Christians should be treating other people on a daily basis, and what it means to do "the will of God" (it doesn't have to mean becoming a pastor or a missionary--it could mean just doing what you enjoy most and allowing God to shine through you in it).
What is "work," in this case? It's continually evaluating our inner state and making ourselves available to God. It's learning to see with his eyes, hear with his ears, and be his hands and feet in the world. We can't be arrogant or hateful and be living Christ-centered, transformed lives at the same time.
The other important issue Gary brings up is that Christians often focus far too much on the words "don't" or "shouldn't" and not on the words "do" or "should." Understanding that we have a loving God should inspire us to do the same for others--mere moralism is not enough. We have all failed to do good to other people and to ourselves too many times to judge other people for failing in the same ways.
Something that annoyed me about the book: It seemed that at least once per chapter, the author made a "please don't take this the wrong way" kind of disclaimer. His writing felt defensive to me because of this, as though he had to justify everything.
Overall, though, this book brings some great insights into how Christians should be treating other people on a daily basis, and what it means to do "the will of God" (it doesn't have to mean becoming a pastor or a missionary--it could mean just doing what you enjoy most and allowing God to shine through you in it).
Read
June 4, 2020Chapters two and seven were my personal favorites. In chapter two, Thomas confronts the church (particularly those that tend to be more doctrinal) with its need of experiencing God. His observations and assessment was, in my opinion, on point. Thomas notes that some are much too suspicious of anything that appears to be “mystical” because of its connection to the Eastern, non-Christian varieties. However, Thomas stresses that we can consider the term in its classical sense – simply connoting direct experience with God (p. 25). He warns in chapter seven that such skepticism can endanger a believer “into falling into a practical atheism” (p. 89). Such language was refreshingly honest from a man I perceive to be speaking from more doctrinally emphasized circles.
The book had its very strong moments; however it lacked an overall cohesion and felt like it could have been (or come from) several different works.
The book had its very strong moments; however it lacked an overall cohesion and felt like it could have been (or come from) several different works.
June 27, 2009
Useful "how to" book for getting in touch with the Lord in daily life. We probably need more "how to" approaches. This one focuses first on seeing as the Lord sees (our eyes), hearing the Lord in the interruptions of life (our ears), and includes our mouths, minds, hands and feet, and heart. Author Gary Thomas emphatically makes the point that living for Christ is the only thing worth doing, and IT IS NOT EASY. Many memorable quotes from secular and Scripture.
January 15, 2013
Thomas takes on the pursuit of being transformed into Christ-likeness. His information is good and helpful with great stories from church history and his own life. As usual, he pays close attention to the early church mystics. He has a great chapter on the ascension of Christ and its significance for the spiritual transformation. That chapter could have been extended (perhaps a book length treatment).
October 28, 2008
this book is exciting and mind blowing. never see how relationship with God can be this closer. transformation is radical and God empowering. this is all Christians should seek and run towards daily.
January 29, 2009
This is Gary's book on what it means to live out being the body of Christ in our world. I wrote my poem "Corpus Christi" as a response to it. You can find it on Gary's web site, www.GaryThomas.com, if you poke around a little bit.
March 13, 2014
As with other books by Gary Thomas, this is a "must read". An inspiring call for following Jesus in the daily challenges we face in life. If you want to get into closer fellowship with Jesus, this book will help!
December 31, 2007
What a challenge to live a life completely transformed by Christ!
July 11, 2008
library book.
Wow. I really enjoyed this book, and didn't originally think I would. Very powerful.
Recommended.
Wow. I really enjoyed this book, and didn't originally think I would. Very powerful.
Recommended.
March 24, 2014
Great book about how to make yourself available for God to use.
September 29, 2014
Ever serious follower of Jesus should read this.
September 30, 2014
Combats the mindset of what Bonhoeffer called "cheap grace." This one will take some processing time.
Read
February 20, 2016good stuff
September 13, 2010
Gary Thomas is one of my favorite authors!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews