GonzoLeaper
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- Oct 7, 2002
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Currently reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan, which is actually a really great followup book to "The Ragamuffin Gospel" by Brennan Manning, which I just finished before this one.
"The Ragamuffin Gospel" reminds me of how much God loves me and that it is more amazing than I can ever comprehend. And it reminded me so well of what Romans explains, along with Ephesians 2:8-9 and other passages in The Bible. When we accept Christ as Savior, we are saved by grace alone- we are saved by putting faith in Christ and His death and Resurrection- it's not through any works of our own and nothing we do can change that.
"Crazy Love" kind of takes it to the next level- now that I've read Manning's book and been reassured of my salvation and the wonderful grace of Jesus that is greater than all my sins- and I've acknowledged that I still fall but God is still ready to forgive- "Crazy Love" reminds me that God is the holiest One of all, that He is omnipotent, all powerful, all knowing and incredibly awesome! The book reminds me of God's great love for me and the sacrifice He made to save me- and then it challenges me to really keep my priorities set right in this life and to remember that I need to live in the light of eternity and live wholeheartedly for Christ. The book reminds me that if I truly know Christ and love Him, then I should obey His Word out of gratitude and love to Him. Not that those good works do anything to affect my salvation one way or the other- but it does serve as proof that The Holy Spirit is working in me and that I am truly following Christ. John 15:8 and James 1:22 make this clear. And of course, these good works are the good works God had prepared in advance for me to do (Ephesians 2:10).
So basically- these are both great books and I would recommend both highly.
"The Ragamuffin Gospel" reminds me of how much God loves me and that it is more amazing than I can ever comprehend. And it reminded me so well of what Romans explains, along with Ephesians 2:8-9 and other passages in The Bible. When we accept Christ as Savior, we are saved by grace alone- we are saved by putting faith in Christ and His death and Resurrection- it's not through any works of our own and nothing we do can change that.
"Crazy Love" kind of takes it to the next level- now that I've read Manning's book and been reassured of my salvation and the wonderful grace of Jesus that is greater than all my sins- and I've acknowledged that I still fall but God is still ready to forgive- "Crazy Love" reminds me that God is the holiest One of all, that He is omnipotent, all powerful, all knowing and incredibly awesome! The book reminds me of God's great love for me and the sacrifice He made to save me- and then it challenges me to really keep my priorities set right in this life and to remember that I need to live in the light of eternity and live wholeheartedly for Christ. The book reminds me that if I truly know Christ and love Him, then I should obey His Word out of gratitude and love to Him. Not that those good works do anything to affect my salvation one way or the other- but it does serve as proof that The Holy Spirit is working in me and that I am truly following Christ. John 15:8 and James 1:22 make this clear. And of course, these good works are the good works God had prepared in advance for me to do (Ephesians 2:10).
So basically- these are both great books and I would recommend both highly.