Book resources
NORMAL CHRISTIAN LIFE
This is the book that started me on the journey that eventually led to BE FREE. This is where God first opened my eyes to the fact that I didn’t understand the full extent of what happened when I gave my life to Jesus and accepted His dying for me on the cross. Watchmen Nee systematically breaks down each element of the gospel and shows the significance.
When you read this, I would focus on the first six chapters. After reading these chapters, practice “reckoning” your death. Just like in BE FREE, you need to practically look at the implications for your own life. After getting a practical understanding of what this means for your life, then continue onto the 2nd half of the book.
Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything the first time you read it. I know I didn’t it! But when I went back to this book years later, I started seeing how what he shares in the book became more and more clear BECAUSE I practiced living out the truth.
GRACE WALK
This book along with the workbook that accompanies it, was the next step in the journey to freedom for me. Easier to read than Normal Christian life (but not as comprehensive), it is a great place to get more insight into seeing that the Christian life is not based on our performance. This is a great follow-up to BE FREE and provides more insight into Phase C and what ultimate freedom looks like—complete surrender to God. Here’s a brief description of this book from the author:
“The over 250,000-selling Grace Walk has helped thousands of believers leave behind the "manic-depressive" Christian walk: either running around trying to perform to be acceptable to God--or thinking they've failed Him again and wondering if they'll ever measure up. Living the grace walk gets Christians off this religious roller coaster. Using his own journey from legalism into grace, Steve McVey illustrates the foundational, biblical truths of who believers are in Jesus Christ and how they can let Him live His life through them each day. As they experience their identity in Jesus Christ, Christians will come to know "Amazing Grace" as not just a song but as their true way of life.”
GRACE WALK WORKBOOK
As I mentioned there is also an accompanying workbook. It’s a great way to go deeper and try to solidify these truths so that they can grow deeper roots. It’s very important as God starts opening your eyes to the truth about who you now are in Christ (apart from what you do) that you keep watering the seeds that God has planted. We cannot go back to the old way of life! This workbook does a great job walking you through the truth and implications of the gospel so that you can understand and experience more freedom and life.
GOD WITHOUT RELIGION
If you looking for a follow up to BE FREE, this is great foundational book on seeing how the gospel is really enough for us. We don’t need to add anything else to our Christian life. Andrew Farley pushes the boundaries of what we have believed to be true about the Christian life. You need to be warned, he will challenge some firmly held beliefs but does so by looking at scripture. It’s not based on his opinion but on what the bible says. To be honest, I’m still wrestling with some of things that he presents. Here’s his short description.
“Andrew Farley's experience as a Christian was first characterized by self-effort as he tried to please God at any cost. His ruthless religion resulted in spiritual burnout and disillusionment with church. Only then did he discover what relaxing in Jesus means and how enjoying God's intimate presence can transform everyday life.”