I read this book some years ago. It helped me to know God's love is unconditional and is founded on the complete and finished work of Jesus, not on my work, I can't add to what Jesus did. I can now trust and follow with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, free indeed!

You can never imagine of what is the true meaning of grace and how GOD has so much grace to us, human- the sinful men.

I really enjoyed this. Having been married for 12 years, the marriage chapter was especially brilliant. It wasn’t as easy a read as ‘What’s so amazing about Grace?’ and I disagreed on some points…

However I’ll definitely re-read this and be reading more by Swindoll.

There’s lots of practical advice here, constantly referencing scripture. I read it in a few days.

100% recommend

Personally, I think Charles Swindoll did himself a disservice by positioning his book, The Grace Awakening, as a manifesto for a movement. The subject matter of this book is not about a movement; it’s about truth. Swindoll performs an invaluable service for his readers by challenging them to jettison their pride and experience grace. We wave the word “grace” like a banner, but it’s something like Andre the Giant’s line about the word “inconceivable” in The Princess Bride. To paraphrase it: Grace. I don’t think that word means what we think it does!

Swindoll does a great job of tying together the idea of grace and unworthiness. He points out how pride insinuates itself into even those who have experienced grace and, by controlling and manipulating others, becomes a “grace killer.” Then, recognizing that people are afraid that many will use “grace” as an excuse to sin, he offers an incredibly useful distinction between that misunderstanding of “grace” and a proper understanding of grace. Using Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s phrase, he notes: “’Cheap grace’ justifies the sin rather than the sinner. True grace, on the other hand, justifies the sinner, not the sin.” (p. 44). Later in the book, he calls that idea of “cheap grace” or using the idea of “grace” to excuse sin as being “abusing grace” (p. 135) instead of “Amazing Grace.”

As usual, Swindoll draws thought-provoking quotations from his reading and tells stories that clearly emphasize his point. One such story details the life of an individual who had an accident and miraculously recovered. During recovery, he claimed salvation. Later, he went back to his old ways and had another accident which mutilated him worse than the first. Today, he confesses that he rebelled and was forgiven, but observes that the literal scars didn’t go away (pp. 144-145).
One of the more helpful concepts in the book to me was his analysis of two reasons people are judgmental: “We compare ourselves with others (which leads us to criticize or compete with them) and we attempt to control others (which results in our manipulating or intimidating them).” (p. 154) In a pulpit style, he asks a rhetorical question: “Who wrote the ‘let’s compare” rulebook? Will you please show me from Scripture where God is pleased with such negative attitudes?” (p. 155)

There is a marvelous line about leadership that all leaders should take seriously: “God reserves the right to use people who disagree with me.” (p. 176) A more general line, but which spoke powerfully to me was “Grace in weakness enables us to become instruments of power in God’s hands.” (p. 204) Even more valuable is the chart on p. 232 comparing “Shame-Based Spirituality” with “Healthy Spirituality.” He is quoting from the work of a Christian therapist named Dr. Earl Henslin. I’ll share two out of the 10 examples. Shame-Based says, “Having problems is sin,” while Healthy says, “Problems are part of my human condition. I can bring them to God and my fellow Christians.” Again, Shame-based = “Success (or its lack) is sinful” versus Healthy = “Prosperity or poverty is not due to deficient spirituality.”

Further, many believers could use the three reasons presented for the value of giving. First, we should give because it keeps our lives and possessions in a healthy balance (p. 266). Second, believers should give because, in so doing, they are modeling the Lord’s example (p. 267). Third, we need almost a habit of giving to counteract selfishness (p. 268).

Many months ago, I picked up this volume to read and managed only to get to the introduction (p. xiii) where Swindoll uses the metaphor of a movement. “Oh, no!” I said to myself, “not another ‘movement!’” I put the book back on the shelf and made some pretty judgmental (and unfounded) observations. In August of 2024, I saw the book on the shelf and thumbed through it—thinking of getting rid of it. I glanced at a couple of the lines written above and decided to actually read it instead of (ironically, considering the subject of the book) judging it. I highly recommend The Grace Awakening but I advise readers to skip the introduction (something I never do).

This was my least favorite of Swindoll's book. I felt that the book lacked balance. Reflective thought seemed to be missing. I felt that he made little or no effort to understand the point of view of others who disagree with him. In other words I felt that he failed to extend Grace to others.

Tremendous book on the Grace of God. Swindoll does a great job describing how grace is not only for salvation but for living our lives out as well. It is a must-read for ministers and laymen alike.

An excellent book, my book asked that I read it many years ago. While it has been several years, and I have grown as a person, I found the book a true inspiration. My husband felt that it argued against legalism, fundamentalism, and faith dogma. My husband and I both have grown over the years, so I must admit that my review maybe different if I was to re-read this book today. Nevertheless, the book offered an inspirational message of faith, grace, and living life abundantly.

Loved this book. Those that follow Jesus and don't strive to fully understand and embrace grace are missing more than a minor doctrine... they're missing the main one

If you want to learn what the true Christian's life should look like, read this book. It will give you much peace and relief as you look at your own failings as well as others'. This is one of the greatest books I've ever read and would recommend to everyone!

i love swindoll

This is my third or fourth re-read.

this is a life changing book about God's wonderful Grace!!