Because He Loves Me: How Christ Transforms Our Da Life | 
| Author: Elyse M. Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Crossway Books
Category: Book
List Price: $19.99
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Avg. Customer Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 11677
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 224
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.6 x 5.5 x 1
ISBN: 158134905X
Dewey Decimal Number: 248.843
EAN: 9781581349054
ASIN: 158134905X
Publication Date: April 30, 2008
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Product Description
Simply speaking, love changes people. Christians, then, by definition, should exhibit the greatest transformation of all because, rightly understood and cherished, God's love makes them increasingly more like the One who has lavished his love on them.This truth is meant to tell believers who they are, their purpose and destiny, and how to faithfully persevere in their struggles against all opposition. But sometimes people lose sight of this.Because He Loves Me restores that vision, reminding Christians of their true identity as beloved children of God& adopted by the Father, espoused to the Son, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.Christianity is not a self-improvement program but a transferring of identity and growth, accomplished in history through Christ and in our daily lives through his Spirit. This book explores and celebrates these truths in an unforgettable way. Study questions and invitations for deeper discovery conclude each chapter. Also order the CD featuring readings from Elyse and new music from Steve and Vicki Cook.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
Life Changing Book! September 1, 2008
Many of us struggle with guilt and shame because we don't realize the life-changing implications of the gospel message. Although we understand that we're saved by faith, we still may find ourselves repeatedly trying to earn God's favor by our works. But since sinful man can't win the favor of a holy God by his own works, this dooms us to failure. Elyse's book shows how to break free from this burden, which we were never meant to carry, and step into the light and easy yoke that Christ promised to those who trust in Him (Matthew 11:28-30). I highly recommend it!
Outstanding Book August 31, 2008
This is a well written book that expresses the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a down-to-earth and relevant way. It fosters a greater appreciation and love for the indescribable gift that we have received through the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The author also goes on to illustrate how our relationship with Jesus Christ affects our day-to-day life. She helps us to understand our identity in Christ. She seeks to bring us to a better understanding of what Christ has already done for us and how we can apply these truths as we live each day. This book is full of the Word of God and it is wonderful!
The reality of an awesome love August 12, 2008
So often, we hear the Christian message and believe only to lose sight of our first love in the hectic day-to-day world in which we live. This book is a great call back to that love. I am grateful for people like Elyse who pour their lives into serving the church and helping the church to realize its great calling and for each member to live out his or her unique purpose under the guidance and grace of our Lord.
Not only is the book chocked full of superb biblical exegesis, Elyse brings it down to earth with great clarity in her stories and applications drawing often on personal experience. It is divided into two main sections (How God's love transforms our identity and How God's love transforms our life) each of which deals frankly, honestly and truthfully with who we are now versus who we were and calls us to remember and celebrate God's goodness in our lives. Elyse does a masterful job of weaving the great truths and realities of Scripture into the tapestry of our lives in such a way that the reader is both encouraged and spurred on by God's grace.
Although this book is marketed towards women, every person of every age would benefit from a thorough reading and reminiscing of Christ's great love for His bride, the church- of which, if you are a believer, a member and recipient of His great love. I can...Because He Loves Me. And so can you. Thank you, Elyse, for yet another wonderfully practical application of the gospel message to us!
Sinful and Flawed, Loved and Welcomed August 7, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is the phrase that Elyse Fitzpatrick uses to describe herself as an adopted daughter of the most Holy God and it is a phrase that has helped bring a new love and thankfulness for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how this truth impacts and changes my daily life. I cannot tell you how many times, as I was reading this book, I would speak out loud, "why didn't anyone teach me this?"
I'm 37 years old. I grew up in the church and was "saved" as a child. I attended a Christian college. I have a Masters of Divinity (something I find hard to imagine bestowing on anyone) from a seminary. I worked as a chaplain in an oncology hospital for a little over 8 years and I'm just now starting to get the Gospel. My intent is not to run down the local church or its educational institutions, but the truth is, the doctrines of grace were never shared with me. Many years after seminary, I learned of the rich heritage of the doctrines of grace in my own denomination that sadly have been replaced with works and self-help.
I am married to a wonderful man that I met in seminary. I have a 21 month old daughter and I stay home and do my best to try to take care of them. When I quit work to become a mother, my life in Christ truly began. I went through a year long depression following the birth of my daughter and experienced the "darkness that could be felt." After a horrifying weekend on anti-depressants, I emailed the head of the women's discipleship at our church and she began coming to my home once a week and still does. I had never been discipled before. (This has been more of "church" than anything else I have experienced.) I have theology degrees and ministry experience, but had never been discipled the way Titus 2 commands. This book is priceless. Every woman I know will have a copy. Elyse, thank you for taking the time to write this bedrock book.
Excellent explanation of the gospel and how it transforms us July 24, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
In her latest book, Because He Loves Me, Elyse Fitzpatrick asks an interesting question: In your pursuit of godliness, have you left Jesus behind? You may be wondering, how is that possible? Do you remember the biblical account of Mary and Joseph's return to Nazareth following their celebration of Passover in Jerusalem? After a day's journey, they realized that Jesus was not with them. They hurried back to the city and found him in the temple, speaking with the teachers. Fitzpatrick uses this story to illustrate what many Christians do in their relationships with Jesus. "By definition, we Christians joyously celebrate our Passover Lamb, our salvation with Jesus, but then, like his parents, we eagerly head on back to Nazareth, back to living out our beliefs without a conscious awareness or acknowledgment of his presence. Of course, we assume that he is somewhere nearby. We haven't felt his absence because we're so preoccupied with living life for him" She goes on to clarify, "What I am saying is that once we've been saved, once we've understood and accepted the message of the gospel, the person and work of the Redeemer becomes secondary to what we're focused on -- living the Christian life." Because He Loves Me is written for the Christian who thinks the gospel is just for "getting saved," who knows he is supposed to be different, but isn't seeing the transformation he expected, or who wonders about the difference Jesus is supposed to make in his daily life. Fitzpatrick teaches Christians how the gospel is central to everything.
The book is divided into two parts: How God's Love Transforms Our Identity and How God's Love Transforms Our Life. In the first section, Fitzpatrick does something very interesting. She shares the gospel with scripture only, no explanation or commentary, using 111 portions of scripture from both testaments. Then, she asks for a heart check. "What did you think as you read the preceding verses?" The temptation is to skip these pages and think, Yeah, yeah, yeah, I already know the gospel. That kind of response proves Fitzpatrick's point: Many Christians experience a disconnect between the gospel and their daily lives. "I've written this book because grasping the reality of God's love will provide every answer to every question we have about him and ourselves. It will tell us who we are, why we're here, and how we're supposed to do what we're supposed to be doing. Delighting in God's love will transform everything about us, including who we are, or our identity." Over six chapters, Fitzpatrick pinpoints the symptoms, diagnoses real spiritual problems, shares God's remedy, and explains deep truth regarding who we are in Christ. She answers the question, What does it truly mean to be a child of God? The answer lies in the gospel. What Christians need to understand is that we never outgrow the gospel. It may be considered elementary or shallow waters by many, but there are depths to the gospel and the power of God's love.
In the second section, Fitzpatrick teaches how to be who we are, as described in the first section. She gives very practical applications for the gospel in our daily lives. She uses scripture to explain how God works in us to carry out his commands, how he cleanses us and sanctifies us, how his love demonstrated in the gospel motivates us to walk in obedience rather than mere moralism, and how we can rest in Christ's finished work and cease beating ourselves up when we sin. Fitzpatrick's training as a bibilical counselor informs much of what she writes in this section. She offers insight into several unbiblical ways of thinking common to Christians, getting to the root and replace it with truth. I think one very important chapter, one that I didn't expect, is "Gospel-centered Relationships." In this chapter, Fitzpatrick explains why God commands that we live in community. The church is imperative for our sanctification. The Christian life is not meant to be lived alone. "Maturity in Christ occurs when, by the Spirit and in God's grace, our brothers and sisters take biblical truth and apply it lovingly, patiently, boldly to our hearts. In the same way that I've encouraged you to remember the Lord in your pursuit of godliness, I'm now encouraging you to see that the primary way he'll minister truth to you is through deep and transparent relationship with others...Jesus uses sinful human beings to prepare his bride."
Because the word "gospel" is used so often, Fitzpatrick is careful to define the gospel early in the book. The gospel "is the incarnation, sinless life, substitutionary death, burial, bodily resurrection, ascension, and eternal reign of the Son of God, Jesus Christ." Not once does she indicate that the gospel is something "we do." It is a work that is done for us for the glory of God. Our only work is to believe, to look to the crucified and risen Christ, and even that is something God works in us first.
Because He Loves Me will prove to be life-transforming for those who read and apply its message. Yes, we go to the gospel to understand salvation, but we also go back to it again and again to inform how we are to live every day for the glory of God.
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