Book Details
- Author: Nancy Leigh DeMoss
- Publisher: Moody (2008)
- Category: Women, Spirituality
Discerning Reader Editorial Review
Reviewed 12/16/2008 by Leslie Wiggins.
Recommended. A God-honoring trilogy recommended without reservation.
I had no idea what to expect when I opened the package; many book shipments are a fun surprise to me. I pulled out the Revive Our Hearts Trilogy by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Three books in one: Brokenness, Surrender and Holiness. I read the title, absorbed the meanings of the words on the cover, and immediately knew that reading this book would engage more than my mind, would demand more than a few adjustments in my life. I placed it on top of a dozen other books and promptly forgot about it. Weeks passed and whenever I went to take another book from the pile, I moved this particular one further down the pile. What comes to your mind when you read the words brokenness, surrender and holiness? I think words like pain, pruning, peace, Jesus, intimacy, vulnerable, joy, grace, and I was not eager to face the pain and pruning. Then, one evening, driven by a familiar spiritual hunger, I opened the book and began reading Brokenness by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.
Brokenness
There is much talk these days about revival: what constitutes a true revival, creating an atmosphere conducive for revival, how desperately we need revival "in our land." The prevailing attitude says, "Let's figure it out and manufacture it." But as DeMoss points out, there is not a formula. What we do have is God's timeless Word which teaches that he hates pride, but that He will draw near to and use the broken and contrite. DeMoss invites the reader to "encounter God in a whole new way. It is a call to discover His heart and His ways; a challenge to embrace a radically new way of thinking and living, in which the way up is down, death brings life, and brokenness is the pathway to wholeness." The theme of contradictions runs throughout the book: those who appear to be most spiritual are in greatest need of revival, those who are waiting for revival oftentimes are the ones used to start it, those who die to their "self-sins" experience more life, those who are broken are most whole, the humble ones are exalted, those who weep know deep joy, and those who expose their sin and needs are covered. Though the path to brokenness before God and our neighbors will be a painful one, it will lead to healing and restoration, to personal revival, to greater intimacy with God and others, and to our increased usefulness in the hand of God. On the other hand, when we rely on ourselves and hide behind our spiritual facades, we cut ourselves off from God's blessings and grace.
The opposite of a broken person is a proud person. Our attitudes can help us distinguish whether we are broken or proud people. Our attitudes toward others, attitudes about rights, attitudes about service and ministry, attitudes about recognition, attitudes about self, attitudes about relationships, attitudes about sin, and attitudes about our walks with God are all indicators of whether or not our lives are oriented toward God or trying to get something from God.
Surrender
A week or two later I began reading Surrender. If we would be completely free from sin and living at peace with God, then we must end our battle with him and accept His terms of surrender. The Lord is patient with His children as He guides us in the ongoing process of sanctification. The key is that we have that initial moment in which we declare unconditional surrender to God. DeMoss explains this as the signing of a blank contract. She references several interesting and well-known Christians who signed blank contracts with God to follow Him no matter what it cost them. That is not to say that we may not be fearful when we consider where God may lead, but, like Abraham, we overcome that fear with faith. DeMoss points out that the altar of surrender is a recurring symbol in the life of Abraham. Our journeys will not be very different. We will learn to revisit God’s promises to us in His word, we will grow in our knowledge of Him and His character, and our faith will be strengthened as a result. In addition to sharing what the Bible teaches regarding surrender, DeMoss offers straightforward questions to help the reader inventory those areas of her life that may not be fully surrendered to God. While no two Christians’ lives are going to look exactly alike, there are a variety of areas that are common sticking points for believers when it comes to surrender, like spending habits, possessions, children, and addictive habits, loss of parents, personal opinions and personal comfort. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments offer several word pictures that resemble this kind of commitment: the burnt offering, the bond slave, living sacrifices, and marriage. God does not impose a one-size-fits-all policy when it comes to surrender. The sacrifices he calls for will vary in size and degree, but all will be complete. Jesus is our example of perfect surrender and sacrifice.
Holiness
Finally, I read Holiness. To understand holiness, DeMoss explains the two facets of holiness. To be holy means “to be set apart, to be distinct, to be different.” God wants us to be holy because He is holy. If we are His, then He has set us apart for Himself. To be holy also means to be morally pure, free from sin, like God. She writes, “Yes, holiness involves adherence to a standard, but the obedience God asks of us is not cold, rigid, and dutiful. It is a warm, joyous, loving response to the God who loves us and created us to enjoy intimate fellowship with Him. It is the overflow of a heart that is deeply grateful to have been redeemed by God from sin. It is not something we manufacture by sheer grit, determination, and willpower. It is motivated and enabled by the Holy Spirit who lives within us to make us holy.”
True holiness is a spiritual work that originates in our hearts and minds through the work of God’s Spirit. While it is God’s work, that does not mean we should have relaxed attitudes about growing in holiness. In pursuing holiness, DeMoss explains how important it is that we face our own sinfulness, repent, and be restored. We will struggle in our fight against sin. We will never be perfectly holy this side of Heaven, which is why it is imperative to remember that the Christian life is lived by faith. DeMoss underscores seven powerful incentives to motivate her readers to pursue holiness: because God is holy, because holiness is God’s stated goal for every believer, because Jesus died to deliver us from sin, because we are saints, because our intimacy with God depends on it, because we are going to live eternally in a holy city, because the well-being of others depends on it. DeMoss teaches that sin, even a little bit, is nothing less than spiritual adultery.
DeMoss explains, “From start to finish, the pathway of holiness is a life of faith – faith in the person, the work, and the gospel of Christ. We were justified – declared righteous – by faith in the atoning work of Christ on our behalf. And we are sanctified – progressively made righteous in our practice – not by our own efforts, but through faith in His sanctifying grace.” She does not advocate a pharisaical self-righteousness or moralism. She calls us to rest in Christ, gaze on Him, and be transformed. Only He can make us holy, therefore, we must keep our eyes on Him. As we keep our eyes on Him, we will become more sensitive to sin in our lives. We have to learn how to uproot the “weeds of sin.” On the other hand, pursuing holiness involves more than adhering to a list of “Thou shalt nots.” There are also several “Thou shalts!” We are to put on righteousness. DeMoss writes of her own struggle to be intentional to “put off” sin and “put on” righteousness. She highlights six means of grace that have proven to be particularly helpful to her: the Word, confession, communion, the Body of Christ, church discipline and suffering. “It is time for the repenters to repent,” writes DeMoss. Christians must recover a passion for the glory of our holy God. “We can scarcely imagine the impact that will be felt in our world when we do.”
I am reminded of a paraphrase from Jim Elliot that our pastor shared this past Sunday morning, "I want to be a fork in the road. When people meet me they either continue in rebellion against God or follow Christ." Will reading this book help you become a fork in the road? No, but DeMoss repeatedly points to the triune God and His holy word as the source for complete regeneration and transformation. This compilation is sound, practical theology. DeMoss will encourage and inspire you to press on to be God's woman.
I like having all three books bound together in one. The temptation exists to just finish one book and turn the page to start the next. I'd encourage anyone who reads the trilogy to take her time; take the 30-day challenges rather than rushing through in order to finish reading. Read it with your favorite pen and notebook at the ready. The trilogy contains all of the forwards, introductions, discussion questions, and group leader helps that are in the original books. I recommend it without reservation.
