The Beautiful Lfe.

Book Review

Thomas, Gary. The Beautiful Fight. Surrendering to the transforming presence of God every day of your life. Zondervan 2007.

Comment. Henry
Salvation has been a very strong focus of Western Christianity. This book addresses the very real need to move beyond salvation to spiritual transformation. The author calls this process a “Beautiful Fight”. It is important that we, as Christians, are known for what we do not for what we don’t do. This is a helpful resource for those who would truly be effective salt and light in their community and sphere of influence.

The goal of this book is to bring the reader to the point where he/she will view themselves as having eyes that are God’s servants, hands and feet that function as instruments of the mighty Creator, ears- constantly in tune with God’s instructions, hearts that will beat with God’s passion, minds- thinking God’s thoughts, bodies that are a living, breathing centre of purposeful passion pointing toward the risen and reigning Christ. The pursuit of this goal is called a “Beautiful Fight”.

To be ungodly means to simply ignore God. There is a “tremendous difference between knowing God and knowing about God”. J.I.Packer “Truth and holiness are the surest antidotes to error and unrighteousness”. C.H.Spurgeon When Paul talks about “the manifestation of the Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:7) he is really talking about “incarnational spirituality”. (31) There are many gifts but one Spirit.

Part of being a saint is living “with God’s eyesight”. (62) The result of such ‘seeing’ will be compassionate love and humble service. Having “transformed sight” (68) is a discipline.

“Words have great power.” (75) We are told that the tongue cannot be tamed (James) but it can be trained. Before we speak for God we need to speak with God. Confidence in speaking the word comes out of genuine humility. Faith comes by hearing (listening). Luke makes this interesting



comment: “Therefore consider carefully HOW you listen”. A four-fold test is presented on how to know that God is speaking.

The renewing of our minds that Romans talks about requires that we surrender to God’s work of renewal in us. We control what we think. “Service is salsa to the soul.” (130) The guarding of the heart(s) is our responsibility.

Personal transformation is a high calling and a high duty. Such transformation requires personal holiness and holy living. It is all about being available to God. The primary purpose of the practice and pursuit of holiness is to honor and glorify God. The pursuit of perfection is just that, a pursuit. It should be a constant of our spiritual journey.

Pain is the price of the path of transformation. The choice is between redemptive pain or self-destructive pain. “The fear of God, humility, surrender, and gratitude” (208) are all part of the process of transformation. It happens in community, “it’s a life long journey.” (235)