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1.03.2013

"Who Do You Think You Are?", by Mark Driscoll

Who we think we are is often clouded by our ugly past.  We're too fat, we're not muscular enough; we're used up, we're lacking credibility.  We're too ugly, too rich, too hurt.  All of these images have a bearing on how we live out our lives.

But we Christians must have a different view of ourselves -- not that we're "ok", or that we're beautiful, that we're to be filled with "self-love" and high self esteem.  Instead, Driscoll lays out the foundations of the gospel message with biblical images of our identity: We are redeemed, we are blessed, we are reconciled, we are forgiven, etc.  The title of each chapter is designed to be a biblical message we ought to preach to ourselves, "I am forgiven", etc.

Our image of ourselves does not rest in our sinful past.  Thankfully, however, our image rests in who God is and what He has done for us.  We are, as he writes, "God's image bearers" (p.4)  Repeatedly, Driscoll reminds readers, "What you do doesn't determine who you are.  Rather, who you are in Christ determines what you do" (p.3).

FORMAT: The reader who reads this book with an open Bible next to him/her will do well.  Each chapter follows the book of Ephesians, which serves as the book's outline.  Beginning with Ephesians 1:1 and finishing with 6:24, "Who Do You Think You Are?" is an in-depth Ephesians commentary and who we Christians truly are in Christ.

FAVORITE CHAPTER: My favorite chapter was #8, "I Am Afflicted", likely because of the recent events in Newtown, CT are in the forefront of my mind, as well as a co-worker's young daughter dying Christmas Eve from the flu virus.  Driscoll reminds Christians that we will suffer affliction.  It is not an "if" question, but a "when".  He lays out 14 different kinds of affliction that are presented in the bible, and what those mean to believers.  "When we're suffering", he writes, "what we need more than answers -- even helpful, biblical ones -- is God and an assurance of our identity in Christ" (p.102).

RECOMMENDATIONS: I highly recommend this book to my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially to those who are struggling with issues of forgiveness and doubts of salvation.  Driscoll is clear and Cross-centered in this presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I give it 5 stars out of 5!  It is good to see Thomas Nelson Publishers printing good quality.


Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge from  Booksneeze (Thomas Nelson Publishers) in exchange for my unbiased review of it. All opinions are mine. I was not threatened or coerced to provide a positive review.

2 comments:

  1. Nobody's deserving but thank God because he forgave us, his unfailing love can't explain with words. I thank God because even I'm not deserving in his love, he still give it to me because he loves me. And all the blessings I receive from him I don't deserve it, thank God for his goodness!

    Children's Ministry in Oakville

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  2. Kimberlee, I couldn't agree with you more. THANK GOD FOR GRACE! He didn't have to show it to me, to us...but for some reason He did, He does! What a great God!!!

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