Grace by Rod Parsley

Parsley is concerned about the extremes we see in Christianity today. On the one hand is legalism while on the other is a cheap version of God's powerful grace. He admits that the Christian life is a difficult balance as we walk in grace yet are guided by the standards God gave.

I am impressed with the teaching in this book. Parsley shares his own background so we know where he is coming from and then he gets into the meat of this subject. I really like that he first emphasizes the cross. When we really understand the price that was paid for our salvation, we certainly would not want to try to get by on offering as little as possible to Christ. (33)

Once we know the impact of the cross, Parsley writes about the principles we find in the New Testament that are to guide our behavior. The first is the law of love. Rather than looking to the rights we might have, we look to what would be most loving to others and would be evidence of our love for God. Parsley identifies other laws in the New Testament too, like the laws of faith, conscience and peace. These are great guiding principles for Christian conduct. He reminds us we follow these guidelines not to earn our salvation but with a view to pleasing God. He also reminds us that we are to allow the Holy Spirit to transform us and work on our desires.

There is more good teaching in the book too. I like, for example, his section on the Word and the Spirit. He encourages us to be grounded in the Word of God before we let loose in the power of the Spirit. The result will be to the glory of God.

I recommend this book to Christians who want to understand the combination of grace and law and how to avoid extremes. You'll be inspired to again realize the work of the cross and encouraged to live a life giving glory to God.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Rod Parsley is the pastor of World Harvest Church, television show host and the author of over 50 books and study guides. He has a bachelor's degree from Ohio Christian University and a doctorate from Liberty University. He and his wife have two children. You can find out more at https://www.rodparsley.com/.

Charisma House, 208 pages.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.