"Rigorous Grace" Updated

Since it was published in May 2021, my book Rigorous Grace: Practicing the Life of Jesus, has sold well and I am receiving great feedback.

However, while receiving excellent response, many have asked, “Why are there no discussion questions?”

My reply? “I was fighting a deadline and convinced myself this book didn’t need discussion questions.”

The bad news is, I was wrong. The good news is, my shortsightedness is now remedied.

A friend loaned us his Colorado cabin back in April. (Would you believe it snowed over two feet while we were there? Crazy thing for a Texan to behold.) While the sky dropped flakes, I updated Rigorous Grace with questions for groups and individuals who desire to contemplate each chapter more deeply.

The question is: How do the redeemed of the Lord make their walk with Christ relevant?

As you know, Rigorous Grace is the result of a years-long discussion with Father God about how I can assist Believers in honing their faith and sharpening the church’s relevance in society. When you do what I do, you will have critics—and every writer needs critics—but the critics of this book have been louder than I expected.

Their accusation?

Since I discuss Christian practices, they assume I am teaching legalism: the heresy that you gain favor with God based upon performance.

Legalism is heretical, a) because it supplements the finished work of Christ—which can’t be done; how can God pronounce something finished and yet it is lacking—and b) legalism places a substantial element of redemption upon you when Scripture clearly indicates redemption is through Christ alone.

Granted, the spiritual practices presented in Rigorous Grace have been legalistically misused over the centuries. But this doesn’t mean the spiritual practices are legalistic, only that they can be perverted with legalism.

The question is not whether or not the spiritual practices can be legalistic. Rather, the question is how the redeemed of the Lord make their walk with Christ practically relevant seven days a week. Rigorous Grace is the answer, and this is not just my opinion. This is the testimony of saints for millennia.

I inserted study questions into the book.

After considering the criticism of Rigorous Grace since its publication, my observation isn’t that legalism is feared, but that the Gospel applied is resisted. It is one thing to say you believe, quite another to put belief into practice. Your enemy, the devil, couldn’t care less that you believe. He believes! What he’s profoundly bothered by is that you will convert your belief into action, i.e., the Gospel applied.

But, rain on the critics. I didn’t write Rigorous Grace to goad them. I wrote the book for you, an individual deeply committed to walking with Jesus every day. And after listening to you, I realized I needed to insert discussion-study questions into the book.

Done!

Before I let you go, you should know—surprise, surprise—I did not create throwaway questions, no multiple choice, no true-false queries. I will never foist something on you that is beneath your capability. Rather, the questions created are designed to take you deeper into the desires of your heart, connect them to your daily practices, and then position you to meet with your heavenly Father on the paths He frequents.

You can purchase updated copies of the book at Amazon.com or wherever fine books are sold (smile). If you are buying in bulk, contact me and I’ll see what we can do to facilitate your group. FYI, bulk purchases take a bit longer to deliver than individual books.

Thanks for reading Rigorous Grace. While I’m at it, thank you for subscribing to my articles. I’m very honored that you consider my words and thoughts.