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George has one guiding principle as a counselor that appears repeatedly in the book: John 8:31-32 (NIV) . . . "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." When he encounters someone with a problem in the course of his counseling ministry, his typical response is to "identify the error" in that person's thinking, and to dispel it with the Word of God. While there are some weaknesses with this approach, there is also much to commend it.
Strengths of the book include developing and applying the truths of our union with Christ and of the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice on the believer's behalf. George has these things right, and knows how to teach them in such a way so as to bring clarity to the believer. Another strength of this book is its illustrations. George is a master at using illustration to clarify and explain spiritual principles; for this reason the book is an easy read for anyone with a high-school education.
George also gets the whole self-image thing right. It is refreshing to read a popular-level writer who does not teach a man-centered view of self-image. George rightly argues that we don't need a "good self-image," rather, we need a "proper, biblical self-image." George also teaches a thoroughly biblical view of the Mosaic Law: it was never intended as a tool of redemption, but rather as a tool to lead us to Christ.
The book does have its weaknesses, too. All of them I would put under the category of being somewhat imprecise in certain areas of systematic theology, and even a few in the area of practical theology. His definition of reconciliation (p. 70) is, in my view, inaccurate. He believes that the sacrifice of Christ reconciled all people to God, and now there is one sin and one sin only that will send folks to eternal judgment: the sin of unbelief. Beyond the particular redemption/unlimited atonement debate, George is in the odd position of claiming that an unregenerate man is reconciled to God, but will be condemned on the basis of his unbelief alone. While there are many problems with such a construct, it ignores (or at least, truncates) Romans 1 and 2, along with many other Scriptures.
George's principle of "find the error and dispel it with truth" treats man as though all sin is rooted in the intellect, apart from the will. George's entire handling of sins that the believer commits, and which contribute to his woes, is inadequate. He really does not get into how sin interferes with our fellowship with God. In some ways, his treatment of sin is very heavily weighted toward the forensic aspect (paid in full by Christ), without delving into the experiential aspect (the misery that sin causes even to a believer). This, to me, may be the major oversight of the book.
There are other small issues, but I do not think it would be wise to accentuate them. This book has gotten some major, really big issues right, and it has done so in a readable and winsome way. The practical truths it presents combined with George's excellent illustrations will be very helpful to a believer locked into a performance mentality. A good, discerning mentor will be able to correct the reader with the minor issues as necessary.
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Firstly, let's start with "Grace"... It's taken me a while to understand that "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set As my aim is to read all the books from the Hillsong Resource I decided that "recommended books" should have priority. What to say about this one? Well, A LOT! However, as I want to work as a tool to influence people to read, I will simply outline some of the main points of the book.
Firstly, let's start with "Grace"... It's taken me a while to understand that "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:1-2).
Sure... HOLD ON!
Which law of sin and death?
Which law is the author talking about?
Bob George is talking about the law that was given to us so that we understand that we are ALL sinners. But, God, great in mercy, decided to show His law of LOVE by giving His ONLY SON to live and die for us so that EVERYONE who believes that Jesus is the Son of God is saved. We do not live under the law anymore, but under the GRACE OF GOD.
Yet, I wouldn't say that this is simple like that. Although I became Christian when I was 19 years old, I still feel (now, in the past "felt") condenmed when sinning. My eyes were opened after reading this book because it explains in a very simple and clear way that God loves us so much that He set us "free from the bondage of the law".
Does it mean that living as a Christian I will stop sinning? Well, it does NOT. We are a new creation when we are with Christ but we still have this sinful nature. As someone once said: sanctification is a PROCESS. You won't wake up from one day to the other "clean". So, does it mean that I can sin now because I'm under the law of grace? NO... NO... NO... AND NO...
The best story to illustrate this is found on page 135:
Imagine you have a cafeteria and then you hear a noise outside. After opening the door you see a man eating from the garbage. You feel pity on him and you tell him that he is to stop eating from the gargabe. But his reply to you is that he doesn't have any money. To this you add: no worries, my chain of restaurants are doing very well and you'll eat for free. The man starts eating all the best things in your restaurant. And, then, to your despair, the man asks if he can eat from the GARBABE.
"WHAT???" You may be thinking... and, yes... this is just like us. Imagine that God is the owner of the cafeteria and you are the man who INSISTS on eating garbage (sinning). This is a good story to state that "WE DO NOT NEED TO LIVE UNDER THE BONDAGE OF SIN". GOD has indeed provided the BEST for us. Why should we desire rubbish? And God is a God who lives in you through His Holy Spirit, received when you accept Jesus as your savior. The PROCESS has begun. It's a new life, a new beginning.
"When the Bible says that we aren't under the law any more, it doesn't mean that we are left without standards. We are actually under a higher standard, called in the Scripture "law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2) and "the law of liberty" (James 1:25) And this new life is not of your responsibility, it's God's :) Why? Because Jesus said: I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing (John 15:5).
George analyses the branches' role: do the branches "PRODUCE" fruit or "BEAR" fruit? It BEARS fruit. The only thing the branches have to do is to "REMAIN in the vine". Therefore, you just have to live in JESUS and allow HIS life to flow through you :) I feel so released after reading this book. Of course there is much more to say... But I'll leave the BEST PART for YOU to read.
With love,
Larissa Fauber ...more
The author notes on p. 98:
"Jesus said, 'I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who beli
"Classic Christianity" was recommneded to me by my pastor at church. I was unable to participate in the small group study regarding the book, so I read on my own over the last couple months. The author did a good job explaining how a life that Jesus provides -- a life "free from the bondage of the law, lived in the newness of His Spirit, and secure in His love" is available to all.The author notes on p. 98:
"Jesus said, 'I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst' (John 6:35 NASB). Every human being born into this poor, sin-sick world is born with a craving for unconditional love and acceptance. When we learn to rely totally on Jesus Christ, we find Him to be just what He promised: the total satisfaction ofr that gnawing hunger and thirst. In Him we find unconditional love, unconditional acceptance and meaning and purpose in life. All searching comes to an end in Him." >> Amen!
I appreciated Mr. George walking through the Scriptures and sharing his experiences as a pastor, showing how we make sure we don't miss the grace and new life given to us through Jesus Christ.
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"The goal of the Christian life is not to stop sinning. We need to experience daily the reality of knowing Christ. That's the real goal of the Christian life! Knowing Christ!" (p. 127)
I love this book! I'm re-reading it for mentoring on the topic of our identity in Christ. How we see ourselves as Christians is critical to living an abundant life in Christ."The goal of the Christian life is not to stop sinning. We need to experience daily the reality of knowing Christ. That's the real goal of the Christian life! Knowing Christ!" (p. 127)
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A wise man once observed that "man is by nature Pelagian." He meant that the natural inclination of mankind is to try to be the author of his own salvation, whatever he means by that word. We don't want to have it handed to us for free; we want to do it ourselves, or at the very least get the satisfaction of doing our part.
Surprisingly, this happens in Christianity too, the one religion that, properly understood, proclaims salvation – from start to fin
The Forgotten Other Half of the GospelA wise man once observed that "man is by nature Pelagian." He meant that the natural inclination of mankind is to try to be the author of his own salvation, whatever he means by that word. We don't want to have it handed to us for free; we want to do it ourselves, or at the very least get the satisfaction of doing our part.
Surprisingly, this happens in Christianity too, the one religion that, properly understood, proclaims salvation – from start to finish – as a free gift of God, accomplished entirely by Christ. Because today, author Bob George notes, many who would call themselves Christians and would rightly claim that the only basis for their salvation is the finished work of Christ on the cross, still think that this applies only to the initial part of their salvation – the removal of their guilt by Christ's atonement – but that after that their acceptance before God depends on them.
This manifests itself in teaching that Christians can lose their salvation (so you better shape up) and the belief that although God can empower you to do evangelism or whatever it is you are doing, it is still you who are doing it.
And what happens, as George knows from personal experience, is that people – real Christians – end up leading joyless lives and getting burned out. Why? Because we have reduced the gospel to actually just half the gospel: we understand forgiveness of sins (and we should) but we neglect our new life in Christ. That part remains a mystery to us, and we have no idea what the New Testament means when it describes that part of the Christian life: being filled with the Spirit and living by faith.
He gives a helpful illustration with the process of canning. You don't sterilize jars only to then stop and then put them on display. The only reason to sterilize jars is because you intend to put something in them. And yet in this diminished gospel, "we have separated God's sterilization process – the cross – from His filling process – Christ coming to live in us through His resurrection."
It is a bit puzzling that we so easily struggle with this because it would seem that the answer is right there on the pages of the New Testament. Jesus says, "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).
George comments: "Notice something about branches that are abiding in the vine. They aren't working hard. They aren't getting burned out… As a matter of fact they aren't even concentrating on themselves at all, nor on fruit. The only preoccupation of a branch should be the moment-by-moment receiving of the life of the vine."
How do we do that? George explains: "For an example of how to put true faith into daily practice, we need to look no farther than the Lord Jesus Himself. [Though] Jesus always has been and always will be God… on earth He didn't live as God. During his 33 years on earth, He lived as the perfect Man, the Second Adam. Therefore, from God's point of view, Jesus Christ was the first true man to live on earth since Adam fell… He lived every day in total dependency upon His Father to live through Him."
And so His example to us is that "He lived on earth in exactly the same way that God intends every man to live. Even the miracles performed by Christ were actually done by God the Father working through Him in his role as the perfect Man."
The Bible says that by faith we are united to Christ. All of our sin and guilt becomes His to bear on the cross, and all of His righteousness that He earned in a life of total dependency and obedience becomes ours. And because of this great exchange, we don't have to focus on cleaning ourselves up and sinning less.
In fact, this then allows us to realize a paradoxical yet profound truth: "The goal of the Christian life is not to stop sinning! The real goal of the Christian life is knowing Christ!" And the more we focus on knowing Christ, the more that sin begins to lose its appeal. When we view ourselves as God now does – as righteous, holy, children of God – when we recognize our new identity in Christ, though we continue to sin, it no longer defines who we are and so it no longer enslaves us, and we can start to change.
George confesses that, in fact, "the longer that I am a Christian, the more I feel in my heart that sin is not just wrong, it is outright stupid. I feel so dumb for settling for anything less than experiencing Jesus Christ Himself every minute."
Just as a butterfly was once a worm but has changed into a new creature, so we were once sinners but have been changed into children of God. And just as we wouldn't look at a butterfly and remark, "Oh what a lovely converted worm!" – so we ought not refer to ourselves as "sinners saved by grace." Even though it sounds humble – yes, we were sinners; yes, we were saved by grace, that is now not what we are. Our identity now is a child of God.
In the same way, we ought not label ourselves with identities based on our behavior – that is what the world does. So, for example, someone who is a Christian and continues to struggle with same-sex attraction ought not identify himself as a "homosexual." Because claiming a homosexual identity makes it only natural and logical that homosexual behavior would follow. And if you're a Christian you'll be tempted to try to sanctify that behavior because after all, God made me that way.
But when after conversion our identity becomes that of a holy, righteous, child of God, then such behavior makes no sense; it is totally inconsistent with who we now are. That doesn't make the struggle go away overnight. But George testifies that he has seen real change in people he has counseled to see themselves as God sees them:
"If you will step out in faith, presenting your daily experiences to Him for His evaluation of truth and error – and keep at it – you will find those desires dying down. [And] over time, the Lord will renew your mind with His truth. That will, in turn, bring your emotions and desires more in line with who you really are – a new creature in Christ."
With this in view, it is understandable to read George's reaction to those who are in a hurry to move on from "doctrine" to "more practical matters:" "Listen! There is nothing more practical than the message of… the believer's identity in Christ!"
And so although we must never minimize the importance of Christ's death for us to cleanse us from our sins, we must also pay attention to the often-forgotten other half of the gospel about our new life in Christ. Both halves allow us to see that "Jesus Christ laid down His life for us, so that He could give His life to us, so that He could live His life through us! That's the entire gospel in a nutshell."
When we understand this, Galatians 2:20 finally makes sense: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
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This book lays bare the heart of the christian faith. If you want to really understand what the gospel is all about, then this is your book.
• This is the "most read" book I've ever shared with people. I guarantee it will change you.
However, if I had a serious problem which I had the sense to recognize as spiritual, and I went to see Bob, I think he'd have some great advice for me. His grasp of Scripture is pretty amazing. He seems to understand well the intent of what Jesus and the Christian Bible (he calls it New Testament) writers are saying. He connects the dots in a way I'll never be able to. His advice and reasons for it are spot on, except maybe for Lee's issues starting on 106.
The copywrite was 30 years ago, yet he is preaching along the same lines as Andy Stanley in Irresistible which I never heard until October and which I thought was original thinking on Stanley's part. He even used the same "brand new" label (p. 121), and speaks throughout the book about The Law being fulfilled and no longer in effect. "…God had done away with the old system, the law, and brought in something brand-new: a New Covenant, a new arrangement between God and man…" He quotes Colossians "He forgave us all our sins, having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross." He speaks repeatedly as to how it's all about love, and quotes Scripture about "love one another". He tells us Jesus "rose from the dead, and He now gives to anyone who believes that same resurrected life, restoring to men the ability to share in and express the life of God!"(p.160) for which I give thanks constantly – that God is allowing me to participate in what He's doing! What an honor and privilege.
He does say "it says in the Bible" and "the Bible says" and "according to the Bible" a LOT. But almost every quoted Bible verse is New Testament, if not every one of them. I started counting, but gave up. Took too many fingers.
In his discussion on faith, he says, "There is certainly an intellectual aspect to faith -- you need true information to exercise faith -- but intellectual agreement in itself is not faith." (p.155). He goes on to say on the next page, "faith always involves a decision of the will to act on what the mind believes is true." So faith is made evident by action.
"The goal of the Christian life is not to stop sinning! The real goal of the Christian life is knowing Christ." P.127.
Life Application: Get back to reading the Bible more. NT for knowledge of God. OT for inspiration. I used to read it almost every day in the early morning or 30 to 45 minutes, but lately it seems I'm out the door for a breakfast meeting too often. I guess I could read for four minutes every night.
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He also mentioned at the end of the book a young woman who asked for his advice regarding being molested as a child by her uncles (it was a more elaborate question than just asking for advice in general) but I found his response kind of alarming because he basically just said to tell them that they can find forgiveness in Christ and to move on (she mentioned that she had already forgiven them, which is awesome for her health and being able to move forward). But what I found alarming was the fact that he didn't encourage her to go to the police or anything?? Offering forgiveness through Christ is fine and everything but there must be justice too. Not to mention keeping other's safe. I don't know, I just felt the whole story was problematic and not a good enough response from him.
All that being said, I do feel that his heart is in the right place and he applied Scripture well and is genuine in sharing the things he's learned. I think I would have found this book more helpful a few years ago but a lot of this stuff I've already been taught over and over.
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I've read a lot of books about Christianity, and this is probably one of the best. Bob George does an amazing job of rooting down the bare basics of what Christians believe. He doesn't water down the information...all of the power is still there. Instead, he explains the ideas (which really are quite simple) in easy to understand ways. It reminds me of something that I hear a pastor say a lot. "The plain things are the main things, and the main things are the plain things." Bob George takes the plain, main things and presents them in a very main, plain way.
Lots of people get caught up in the nitty-gritty complexities of Christianity without understanding the hard standing core of their beliefs. When that happens, they can get caught up in a state of bondage and despair. However, this book gives a clear understanding of the basic truths of Christianity, letting those errors be irradicated forever.
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The only qualm I have with this book is that of style. It is written in that somewhat tiresome 1980s-1990s self-help book style that many psychologists and counselors were writing at that time. It can get a bit dull reading
This delightful little book gives a wonderful and approachable picture of Biblical Christianity. It is warm and readable from most any perspective. Refreshing for the veteran believer, totally free of any Christianese that would forbid the young believer or the non-believer.The only qualm I have with this book is that of style. It is written in that somewhat tiresome 1980s-1990s self-help book style that many psychologists and counselors were writing at that time. It can get a bit dull reading about one anecdote after the next and start to wonder what all of these stories are serving to illustrate. Counseling is obviously a big part of the authors faith journey, which is neat...but it does a bit of a damage to the pleasure of the reading as the stories (while valuable) start to sound ever so slightly contrived as one rounds the third quarter of the book.
All of this notwithstanding - this is a book I will happily recommend and distribute freely. It is a rare and pristine discussion of what it means to be saved by grace, grown in grace and glorified by grace.
...more I grew up under legalism. Jesus Christ, working through His servant Bob George opened my eyes to who He truly is. What love means and how to live the Christian life abundantly with the peace, joy and freedom Christ came to give man with His death on the cross ushering in the New Covenant . A Covenant made between God and Jesus the God/Man. No longer living by the Law of the Old Covenant, the Covenant made between God and man which was simply a tool to lead us to the need of a Savior
Life ChangingI grew up under legalism. Jesus Christ, working through His servant Bob George opened my eyes to who He truly is. What love means and how to live the Christian life abundantly with the peace, joy and freedom Christ came to give man with His death on the cross ushering in the New Covenant . A Covenant made between God and Jesus the God/Man. No longer living by the Law of the Old Covenant, the Covenant made between God and man which was simply a tool to lead us to the need of a Savior who is Jesus Christ! Living by grace alone in Christ alone. To sum up the real undiluted Christian life it's Jesus + nothing. I've never been so much at peace, no fear about the future. I relax daily and simply rest and allow Jesus who lives in me to work through me. This book, no matter if you are a long time Christian , new Christian or you don't know Christ will meet you right where you are in your present journey in this life now and make the rest of your life the best of your life! Your greatest adventure is what lies ahead!
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He says lots of good things, and so I gave him 3 stars. However, his cognitive therapy approach to spiritual growth and a truncated perspective on how Scripture fits together prevent me from recommending the book in spite of the 3 stars. He often is responding to straw men and uses Scripture more as an exclamation point rather than an exegetical foundation.
Bob shares his journey of discovery from worn out religion & legalism to true freedom in Christ where he began to discover the reality of the truth that sets us free & doesn't bind us up! It's a great walk through scripture that reveals our true identity in Christ through His death & resurrection and all this means to us as children of God!
A Life Changing BookBob shares his journey of discovery from worn out religion & legalism to true freedom in Christ where he began to discover the reality of the truth that sets us free & doesn't bind us up! It's a great walk through scripture that reveals our true identity in Christ through His death & resurrection and all this means to us as children of God!
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...have missed the truths which are found here in this book! Do yourself a favor and learn more about your identity in Christ!
Years of ministry, in both perso
At age 36, Bob George came to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Two years later he left his successful business to become involved in full time ministry. With the emphasis on "full-time," Bob began to experience the heartache of losing his first love, Jesus Christ. His resulting search for truth led Bob to the love and acceptance of God that was there all along.Years of ministry, in both personal and group settings, fostered in Bob's heart a passion to communicate the love and grace of God to hurting people throughout the nation and the world. Thus, in 1977, Bob George founded Dallas-based People to People Ministries.
For many years, Bob hosted People to People, a daily radio broadcast. Connecting with listeners across the continent on his live, daily radio broadcast, Bob offered real answers for real life as he addressed common questions as well as the tough issues of today, directing callers to the centrality of "Christ in you, your only hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).
Bob George is the author of the best-selling book, Classic Christianity, with an estimated 650,000 copies in print worldwide, in 27 languages. Bob also has authored several other books including Growing in Grace, Faith That Pleases God, as well as numerous Bible study guides.
Bob and his wife Amy, author of Goodbye Is Not Forever, live in Dallas, Texas. They have two children and four grandchildren.
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