One Way Love: Inexhaustible Grace For An Exhausted World (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
I found this very good news for a person of my sort: performance-addicted and crushed by perfectionism. This isn't some heady, contemplative expression of the deeper parts of faith. It isn't intellectual. It isn't liberal in its outset (although it is interesting that, with how the author frames arguments, many would say it is). But what this book does, through its flawed manner, is bring the reader to the heart of Christianity; Grace. God's love for us, not our love for Him. His redeeming work, not ours. It hampers the neurotic fear that there is some work I have to do in order to prove I've been transformed by Christ. It reminds me Jesus is the Savior, and I am not. And most importantly, the power of saving grace isn't just for conversion; it's for the entire salvation story of the individual and collective human race. For a person who reads Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest," but has trouble believing this rest is real ... this book is for them. Healing and joy are expressed through every page of this text. If you eat your spinach, you will be healthy. If you study, you will get good grades. If you smile, people will like you.Pastor Tullian Tchividjian points out that Christians often approach God in the same way. If … then.Sure, we recognize that we have broken the Law of God, and that disqualifies us for eternity with God. That’s why we have Jesus, right? Jesus paid the penalty of my breaking the Law. Salvation. He paid the ultimate price for our sins. Thank you, Jesus.Then, we go right back to what Tchividjian calls performancism. We acknowledge that we can’t get into heaven on our own, and Jesus paid that price, but there are treasures for us to earn, a smile from God to get, a cheer from the angels to spur, stars to reach.We’re exhausted. The Gospel heralds a great reversal in which acceptance precedes achievement and mercy comes before merit.We get caught up in our works and have not understood the greatness of the Law. Somehow, we revert back to works and legalism, performancism. … a low view of law always produces legalism; a high view of law makes a person a seeker after grace. J. Gresham MachenPreoccupation with our performance stifles our creativity, our energy, and our relationships. When we turn our focus on the grace of God, we naturally serve others with abandon. This is very similar to the dynamic, we saw at work with the apostle Peter and with Zacchaeus, the same one we see with many of those that Jesus heals.This is the freedom a Christian experiences when at the end of all that is possible, Jesus takes that person by the hand, lifts that person to her feet, breathes new health, new hope, new possibilities into her, and says “You are Mine, My child. Nothing is impossible for you through Me.”Grace. Belovedness before loveliness.Have you forgotten?Read this book and bask in His One Way Love.
What do You think about One Way Love: Inexhaustible Grace For An Exhausted World (2013)?
This is an encouraging and though provoking work depicting the powerful grace and love of God.
—Kathy
This book clarified any and all confusion i had about my walk eith Jesus.
—jean
Awesome! Tullian has quickly become one of my favorite grace writers!
—Anika
Christians must read this book. Liberating indeed!
—Kkupih
