Gospel Life – Reviewing “The Rest of the Gospel”

Want gospel life? Read, THE REST OF THE GOSPEL!

This book has proven to be the most solid of resources outside of class (I’m taking a class to receive Exchanged Life Discipleship Certification). I’ve marked up, folded pages, highlighted, and sticky-noted more in this book than any other I’ve read. The premise asked the question I’ve not known how to ask throughout my 20 years in church work, ‘where is the life?’ I knew there was something wrong, I didn’t know what it was nor how to present the question to get it answered. This book answers it clearly. 

“Go through the gate naked.” Of all that we can put on, we have nothing to present to God, only ourselves. This was one of six confirmations or connecting of dots I experienced in just the first couple chapters of this book. I preached this very idea before I really understood it. ‘Church, we need to get naked.’  

The line and the swing illustrations where mighty. I love a good picture book. The line represents the seen (below the line) and unseen realm (above the line). These principles are so right on! There is no real line, no real swing. However, do these ever make all the difference in the world. The application is profound. We are all swinging until we understand the fixed point of our life in union, our spirit with God’s Spirit. Then we can live physically below the line, with an understanding above the line. 

The double-cross flings open the door wide to understand how we’ve emphasized the blood, and we should, but right alongside the body. The Israelites needed blood for the passover and food (body) for the journey (the exodus). We likewise need blood for the cleansing of sin and food for living the life. He is our life. Christ in us. Christ as us. 

“What you put after the but…” ‘God sure is faithful, but, the enemy is really working right now’ vs. ‘The enemy is at work, but, God has already won, we will get through this.’ What comes after the ‘but’ is what you really think. It’s where you will live in your thinking. So put the problem before the ‘but,’ put your source of power after! 

“Two nature belief results in misery.” Exactly what I’ve experienced 20 years of ministry and Bible college that didn’t equip me for anything. This also answers the much pondered question of, ‘why does everyone leave.’ Pastors, staff, and interns specifically. Because it’s miserable to live up to the challenge of endless self-effort and failure. The answer finally came for me, Christ is my life! Only Christ can live the Christian life. Not me, not you.

“Any activity that’s giving you your identity is an idol.” In ministry it’s easy to live a religious soul-life. Religious externals become who you are. Looks and feels good. But you find yourself leaving. ‘Out’ was never a word I thought would apply to me and church work. Here I am. And now that I have a foundation in who I am outside the religious world, God, in His timing, can place me back in because the religious system will never be who I am again. 

I could go on and on. I’ve got so many notes. But here are just a few. Gripping book indeed, a resource I’ll treasure always. Something I’ll reference and read over and over for sure. 

I would recommend this book as a MUST READ and a KEEPER for your shelf at home. Use it as a reference in your own life as well as investing in others! If any of my basic overviews of the book peek your interest, buy it today. I promise you it will be valuable to understanding the gospel in a life giving way, impacting your life profoundly. Want that abundant life Jesus speaks of in John 10:10? Dig in here!

For this resource and other book suggestions check out my RESOURCE page.