One Way Love: Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World

Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World. If anything, it is good news for bad people coping with their failure to be good. The heart of the Christian faith is Good News, not good advice, good technique, or good behavior. I have heard about money, time management, tithing, abstinence, and generosity. But I could count on one hand the number [of sermons] that were a simple proclamation of the Gospel of Christ.

But ironically, grace offends us even more, because it tells us that there is nothing we can do, that everything has already been done. The ones who run from law never come back. But the ones who run from grace always come back. Grace draws its own back home. Far from it, in fact. In recent years, a handful of books have been published urging a more robust, radical, and sacrificial expression of the Christian faith. I even wrote one of them—Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different.

But it is infinitely less important than what Jesus has done for us. Grace is love coming at you that has nothing to do with you. Grace is being loved when you are unlovable. It involves becoming more and more aware of how weak and incompetent we are and how strong and competent Jesus was and continues to be for us. His love for us does not depend on our loveliness.

It goes one way. As far as our sin may extend, the grace of our Father extends further. Our identity, worth, and value, are not anchored in what we can accomplish but in what Jesus accomplished for us. What he meant are these 'shoulds' and 'shouldn'ts' are both instinctual and inescapable, part of our DNA. They are a psychological reality. We may justify our actions away, but deep down, we know when we've done something wrong.

I look forward to going through it again and discussing each chapter. Sep 17, Matt Manry rated it really liked it Shelves: Amazing book on grace and absolutely saturated with the Gospel. Tullian's best book so far. Nov 26, Blake rated it liked it. One of the hardest books for me to read through and digest, mainly because of where the author's theology took him. It is true that much in the book was interesting and helpful insight into my favorite topic: God's infinitely amazing grace. Yet, the author seemed to be saying the same thing, over and over and over.

Reading through the book was a reminder of why one's true beliefs are so critical to a life One of the hardest books for me to read through and digest, mainly because of where the author's theology took him. Reading through the book was a reminder of why one's true beliefs are so critical to a life of obedience and, at the same time, a great reminder of positional truths about who we are in Christ, why that matters, and why we must stay tethered to the grace of God.

Jun 24, Michele Morin rated it really liked it. Drastic, Gratuitous, Liberating, Scandalous. You need to read this article in World Magazine. As many of you know, I returned from a trip a few months back and discovered that my wife was having an affair.

Book Review-- One Way Love Inexhaustible Grace for An Exhausted World

Heartbroken and devastated, I informed our church leadership and requested a sabbatical to focus exclusively on my marriage and family. As her affair continued, we separated. Sadly and embarrassingly, I subsequently sought comfort in a friend and developed an inappropriate relationship myself. Last week I was approached by our church leaders and they asked me about my own affair. I admitted to it and it was decided that the best course of action would be for me to resign.

He devotes an entire chapter to the topic of grace in everyday life. Ironically, Marvin Olasky speaks from this angle in the report from World Magazine: How does that apply here? The Graham rule is that he would never meet, eat, or travel with a woman alone. As mum to four and a gram-in-training, I long for — and am committed to — relational grace over manipulation and the follow-the-dots predictability and control that the law promises. A low view of the Law makes us think that the standards are attainable, the goals reachable, the demands are doable.

I mourn over this moral train-wreck because Tullian Tchividijian has written a fine book, overflowing with truth about salvation by grace alone apart from our morbid introspection and preoccupation with performance. May we read and learn that the truth of God transcends the fidelity and the consistency of His messengers. This book was provided by David C. Cook in exchange for my review. Jun 03, Joshua Ray rated it liked it Shelves: But when he got caught up in the middle of a bit of controversy with TGC, I decided to start paying closer attention.

On the one hand you have folks who emphasize our own effort partnering with God in the process. I personally think both sides are looking at the same coin and arguing that what they see on their side is more important. In other words, they are more similar than they would care to admit. First, the Pros of the book: To say that he identifies with the Prodigal Son is an understatement. Zahl are just a few of those he references. This is a very good and refreshing thing.

There are, however, some Cons to the book: Tullian says in the beginning that the book is adapted from a series of sermons…and it shows. The book can be a tad repetitive at times. This is, to an extent, unavoidable. Do people really teach that way? His descriptions of what unconditional grace looks like in marriage and relationships in general were especially convicting and inspiring. My eyes were opened to just how conditional my love often is and I was reminded of my constant need of grace. I also thought his discussion in Chapter 10 of how total depravity affects Christians both before and after conversion to be very interesting and worth some more thought.

This book is an excellent reminder of that, wherever we are on our journey of faith. Aug 17, Josh rated it really liked it Shelves: I have never before read a book by Tullian Tchividjian pronounced: I like to trail off as I say it and hope no one calls me on it. I have read many blogs and comments by him and heard a few interviews. I have always been interested in what he said if not thoroughly convinced to agree with him.

I was pleased to find all of this in "One Way Love", and much more. Tullian presents the case that we all, Christians and non-Christians alike, are driven by performance. We live in a world of conditionality, where it is always true that "accomplishment precedes acceptance;achievement precedes approval".

One Way Love: Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World

This leads to a life driven by perfectionism, where failure leads to hopelessness and despair. Tullian contrasts this with the biblical message of One Way Love-love that is unconditional, not based on reciprocity. Goodness directed towards someone not based on what they have done and will do or can do, but simply based on the goodness of the Giver.

Tullian expounds on this with some personal stories and statements about God's love and grace that will prick at the fleshly heart of the reader. There will be plenty of moments of initial dissent that blissfully lead to grateful agreement and a sense of "Why have I not known that longer?!? He borrows an argument from J.

Gresham Machen about how it is really a low view of Law, not a high view, that leads to legalism. Only those with a low view of God's Law feel like they have any chance of keeping it, whereas those who know their inability to keep the Law will constantly cling to grace and throw themselves at the mercy of our just Judge.

This leads to an area where I, and many, have struggled. How does the preaching and focus on grace keep from leading someone to a disregard for holy living? Or, put differently, does focusing on grace lead to sinful living and a lack of sanctification? Tullian does a beautiful job showing how grace is, not only a motivator but, the only sustainable and acceptable motivator for good works. It was very encouraging and I will be returning to this section to, let's say, utilize some of his thinking and his presentation on grace as a motivator for holy living.

What I found in this book is what I have found in Tullian's teaching, an overwhelming focus on God and His amazing grace. I was encouraged, repeatedly, to come to the well of grace and drink freely and to share that grace with others. Tullian encouraged me to be more gracious to myself and others by being less focused on myself and others. His constant effort to shift the reader's focus to God and away from self and circumstance, frees the reader to be gracious, to find our everything in the crucified and risen Christ.

One Way Love reminds the reader that the Gospel allows the believer to rest easy because the work is finished, and done better than we could ever do anyway. I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. Oct 17, Lisa Johnson rated it it was amazing. I love fiction and nonfiction novels that spur the heart and mind, or a book that challenges me. One Way Love is filled with truth shared by an author who allows his heart and life to be transparent to readers. When an author shares truthfully what good or bad choices made in their Title: When an author shares truthfully what good or bad choices made in their life and what they learned, somehow that should arrest the attention of the audience.

Each chapter brings to the forefront behaviors or thoughts fallen human beings do or have done that can bring either blessing or bondage.

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If it brings bondage, the author shares how his past experiences are examples of how he was chained. What was really inviting was the way God used various people in his life to be examples. We can be conduits by which His Spirit leads us to be examples of His one way love. When I sat down to read the book, I had a highlighter, pencil and Bible close by and trust me I used them. Truthfully the author shares how God loves us long before we ever think to love Him.

With so much uncertainty in the world today, we might get caught up trying to control our own little world right where we live, but the freedom comes when we let go. I could tell you more about what the Lord spoke to me personally as I read the book, but the fun will be to hear how He speaks to you. So how about it, would you like to challenged, touched and lightened?

Then sit down, read a chapter and mark up the book. Get your Bible, notebook and pen and then listen to the still small voice that is filled with more one way love than perhaps you remember. My rating is 5 stars. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog.

Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. Also follow me on Twitter lcjohnson, FaceBook at https: May 03, Stacie Wyatt rated it it was amazing. I read one way love , in exchange for honest review from FlyBy Blog Promotions. I chose this book because I do not understand God's Grace and Mercy.

The book consists of 10 chapters. In Chapter 1, Introduction, Tullian discussed Performancism, which best fits me sometimes. According to Tullian, Performancism is the mindset that equates our identity and value directly to our performance and accomplishments, p. We can let our achievements define our identity. Our money, looks, cars, and degre I read one way love , in exchange for honest review from FlyBy Blog Promotions. Our money, looks, cars, and degrees can set the stage for our worth and value.

When the job or car is gone, then our identity is gone. I used to work at a manufacturing plant. One of the female employees drove a nice racing car, with all the fixes and updates. She got into a car accident and the racing car was totaled. She was more upset over the car than her life. For me, I did not feel complete until I got my bachelor's degree, even though I rarely use it.

I felt that I was letting people down because I did not finish college early in life, like you are supposed to. It took 13 years and multiple colleges to get one degree, yet it is a degree without experience, if I don't use it. There is nothing wrong with wanting to achieve the good things in life, but those things should not define us.

Tullian said that people spend a lot of time building up their reputation and image but at a cost to others and ourselves p. Page 20 also says Performancism is a form of worship--we spend our lives frantically propping up our images or reputations, trying to do it all--and do it all well--often at a cost to ourselves and those we love p.

Instead of focusing on the important things, we focus on the things, which can improve our image, instead of dedicating and focusing our lives on God. The book teaches people about Grace and how to move in God's grace. Tullian says we can not play it safe anymore p. We need to be saved and bring others to Christ. This will bring a revival to the Christian faith. Chapter 2 discusses the exhausted world. Sometimes we take on too much responsibility. More responsibilities means you have to perform in more roles. You will fail and you will succeed in life. Plenty of expectations, rewards, and punishments.

We get stressed and burnt out. While, grace is pure, simple, irrational, giving, generous, terrifying, and rare, in addition grace is love that seeks you out when you have nothing to give in return p. This was a good read. This book must be read slow because it has a lot of knowledge and wisdom.

It is available in print and kindle format. Have a blessed day. Jan 30, Emily Cook rated it really liked it Shelves: This author understands Law and Gospel and writes to share his joy in the solid assurance we have as Christians in God's unconditional love. Because Jesus came to set the captives free, life does not have to be a tireless effort to establish ourselves, justify ourselves, and val 4. Because Jesus came to set the captives free, life does not have to be a tireless effort to establish ourselves, justify ourselves, and validate ourselves.

If you want to make them really, really mad, preach grace. The law offends us because it tells us what to do--and most of the time, we hate anyone telling us what to do. But ironically, grace offends us even more, because it tells us that there is nothing we can do, that everything has already been done. I wish I could say Jesus fully satisfies me. What I can say is Jesus fully satisfied God for me. This means that the what-if has been taken out of the equation. We can take absurd risks, push harder, go further, and leave it all on the field without fear--and have fun doing so.

We can give with reckless abandon, because we no longer need to ensure a return of success, love, meaning, validation, and approval. We can invest freely and forcefully, because we've been freely and forcefully invested in. This is the true self. Every other identity is an illusion.

Oct 25, Cameron Rebarchek rated it it was amazing Shelves: Through its ten chapters and pages, we are reminded that the love of God is not manipulated. Exhausted by expectations and rules and agendas. When we become Christians, we are overwhelmed by the grace that saves us and simultaneously forget the grace that perfects us Hebrews One-Way Love serves as a reminder that grace truly is enough.

One of my favorite points from this book is that legalism is not the result of too high a view of the Law. It results from those who esteem the Law lowly—to think they are capable within their own strength to fulfill its demands. So, an accurate view of grace requires an accurate view of the Law. It cannot be met.

We all fall short. Yet, this is precisely where grace abounds. If you are unsure of the relationship between Law and grace, this book provides some answers. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Looking for a deeper study on grace? Or, looking for a glimpse of the material in this book? I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion and review. Sep 23, John Wiley rated it it was amazing. Whether it was my hometown of Baltimore, or more recently in Winston-Salem, knowing that there are one-way streets close by would stress me out.

I guess I feared I would accidentally take an erroneous turn and meet one-way traffic head on. Not in a destructive sense, ironically, but actually in a sense of healing and restoration. Much is mentioned about both in One Way Love but of course the latter is what drives his thesis, as it would be expected. But ironically, grace offends us even more, because it tells us there is nothing we can do — that everything already has been done. Oct 18, Kathleen E.

Friday, October 18, One Way Love: It is His reaching to us and not our striving to Him. A Gift Eternal For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it- Friday, October 18, One Way Love: But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it--the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.

For there is no distinction: I have come to set the captives free. Rather, standing with Christ and what He has done for us, and reached to us belies our striving to do for Him to keep us afloat. Nothing we can do will make Him love us more. Not only does Bishop Bienvenu not accuse him, but says, "You forgot the candlesticks.

The other is the story of Zacchaeus, whose name means "pure. He just loved him, without demands. God's Grace is inexhaustible. Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received. Aug 20, Madelyn Bomar rated it it was amazing. These are just a few of the hundreds of reasons why people in this generation feel like they cannot measure up to the standards of the God of the universe. Tullian Tchividjian, grandson of world-famous pastor Billy Graham, sets out to obliterate these common thoughts of inadequacy within the world of religion.

He wants us just as we are, bringing nothing to the table but ourselves. When I began reading this book, it was only a few pages in that I realized how prevalent the issue of grace verses law is in the world I live in today. This was a foundational message for this book because now that we know we cannot bring anything to the table, we can have hope in the truth that the Lord will not condemn us when we do mess up, which is inevitable.

His thesis statement that threads throughout the book is that his grace does NOT breed recklessness; his grace breeds a genuine thirst for more of him which comes with obedience. May 25, Karen Roberts rated it it was amazing. 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. Sure, we recognize that we have broken the Law of God, and that disqualifies us for eternity with God. Jesus paid the penalty of my breaking the Law. He paid the ultimate price for our sins. Then, we go right back to w If you eat your spinach, you will be healthy.

Then, we go right back to what Tchividjian calls performancism. 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.

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Somehow, we revert back to works and legalism, performancism. Gresham Machen Preoccupation 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. Nothing is impossible for you through Me. Read this book and bask in His One Way Love. Jan 18, Reid rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: This book gripped me like no other in quite a while. One-way love is grace. God is the primary force of one-way love. Grace motivates love in action unlike law or Law we may think is supposed to do.

This guy's life was a train wreck for his family, himself until his father's unrelenting grace led him to Christ. As a Christian he developed a performance mindset, a "I need to be better and more" attitude until his people in his new congregation led him to the end of himself and his 'doing'. His idol This book gripped me like no other in quite a while.

His idol of pleasing everyone and being affirmed by everyone did not produce for him and he was left with really, what Jesus has done for him. Jesus has done it all, it is finished. He wraps the message of the Gospel applied to himself, his marriage, his family, his work through this understanding of one-way grace. The Gospel is enough, Jesus is enough. Our dire need for God's grace doesn't get smaller after God saves us. In one sense, it actually gets bigger. Christian growth, says the apostle Peter, is always growth into grace, not away from it.

So Christian growth does not involve becoming stronger and stronger, more and more competent every day.