In The Grip Of Grace (Hardcover)

by Max Lucado (Author) "Once there were five sons who lived in a mountain castle with their father..." (more)
Key Phrases: many payments, Looking Deep, Read Romans, Jeffrey Dahmer (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Popular writer and speaker Lucado here turns his interpretive powers on one of the most popular New Testament writings, the book of Romans, to probe the meaning of grace in Christian life. Using his own considerable storytelling powers, Lucado relates the biblical principles found in Romans to the stories of ordinary people like his father to fashion inspirational interpretations of the book of Romans for everyday life. Admitting that Romans is often difficult for Christians to read because of its focus on God's wrath and God's punishment of human sinfulness, Lucado translates and interprets the biblical texts to demonstrate that God's righteousness and justice are merely indicators of the mercy and lovingkindness inherent in God's grace. Through these readings, Lucado reminds readers of the eternal quality of God's mercy and the gentleness of his love. While Lucado's book is not a compendium of deep theological insights, his graceful style and his thorough exposition of biblical texts will grant rewards to interested readers.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Can anything separate us from God’s love? Does He really love us, no matter what?

How does He feel about me when I snap at anything that moves? When I’ve failed as a parent? When my thoughts are gutter-level? When my tongue is sharp? Have I drifted too far? Waited too long? Slipped too much? The answer is found in one of life’s sweetest words—grace.

It is God who lovingly holds us in the eternal grip of His grace. Our good deeds won’t help. Perfect performance is not required. The God who made us has redeemed us and covered our sinfulness with His righteousness. His holiness is sufficient for all our sin. And that’s grace.

Best-selling author Max Lucado proclaims the grace of God to be “the greatest discovery of my life.” And he wants to share that discovery by taking us on a journey through the mountaintop truths found in Paul’s letter to the Romans. “Romans is the grandest treatise on grace ever written. You’ll find the air fresh and the view clear.”

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; BC ed edition (August 6, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849911435
• ISBN-13: 978-0849911439
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #516,926 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping book, March 21, 2000

By	H. Holliday (Liberty, SC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the first Max Lucado book I have read. It won't be the last. The parable he tells at the beginning was so good, I made my friends read it. They all enjoyed it too. Max runs through the book of Romans to tell of the Grace of God as he refers back to the beginning parable. There are also other relative stories he tells to add color to this book. He teaches in a way that grips the reader like it's a mystery novel or something. I'd recommend it to everyone interested in God's love, mercy and grace. Good for evangalizing, too.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb description of the character of God, December 18, 1999

By A Customer

This is a great book. I'm usually guilty of reading some dense theology, but reluctantly started this book at the behest of my wife and found it a tremendous breath of fresh air. Lucado does a great job of describing the wonderful grace of God, especially in the first half of the book. I found myself renewed and remembering what brought me into Christianity in the first place - God's great goodness and initiative. My clever Christian friends found it unlikely that I would be reading something "ordinary" like a Max Lucado book, but this gentleman has a homespun and piercing way of presenting a God he really knows. Thanks Max!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of Lucado's Best, June 26, 2001

By	Michael Janke "www.xanga.com/mikeknaj" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

IN THE GRIP OF GRACE tackles one of the most important stakes of the Christian faith, and one that many people have the hardest time truly comprehending and accepting as well. "Can anything separate us from the love Christ has for us," Max Lucado asks. Though we may say that the answer is no, in reality many of us live as though the answer is yes.

Lucado breaks us down into four groups: the hut-building hedonist, the fault-finding judgmentalist, the rock-stacking legalist, and the grace-driven Christian. One disregards God and indulges self, ignoring their need for grace. One tries to distract God by comparing themselves to other "worse" sinners, believing that grace is always needed by someone else. Others try to save themselves, to make themselves right before God by works; thus rejecting grace. But the grace-driven Christian trusts and seeks after God's grace, realizing that there really is nothing we can do to earn our salvation but accept it as a truly free gift.

As is typical of a Max Lucado book, IN THE GRIP OF GRACE is an easy, folksy read. It may tackle a heavy issue, but Lucado never wades too deep into theological discourse, preferring to use illustrations instead. Thus, IN THE GRIP OF GRACE is an excellent read for both new Christians and those who simply desire a book that will help them better understand their position with God. IN THE GRIP OF GRACE never reaches the heights that Philip Yancey's WHAT'S SO AMAZING ABOUT GRACE does, but it stands as one of Max Lucado's best and most universally relevant works. FOUR STARS.