Format: Trade Paperback
Page Count: 176
Publisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: 2013
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0310499237
ISBN-10: 0310499232
List Price: $14.99
Pornography is one of the most rampant but least talked about sins inside the church. Many are struggling but do not know how or who to turn to for help to overcome. In this new work Finally Free: Fighting for Purity with the Power of Grace, Heath Lambert tackles the topic in a bold new way.
This book approaches an ugly topic with dignity. Lambert does not delve into the seedy details or tiptoe on the edge of good taste. This is not a book about pornography. Rather, it emphasizes “the amazing power of Jesus Christ to free you from pornography.” The good news about this power is that “no matter how intense or how long-standing the struggle, it is the work of Jesus Christ to set people free from such sin.” (12)
Lambert offers eight strategies meant to “help you work out your salvation and experience freedom from your desire for pornography.” At the heart of each of the strategies is grace. The eight strategies are: Using sorrow, using accountability, using radical measures, using confession, using your spouse or your singleness, using humility, using gratitude, and using a dynamic relationship with Jesus.
Grace
Lambert’s begins with the foundation of grace. Through counseling people over the years “who feel locked in a losing struggle against pornography,” Lambert came to realize “They need grace-filled, practically relevant strategies as they seek to flee sexual immorality.” (13-14)
Forgiving Grace
“The first thing you absolutely must know about God’s powerful grace,” Heath says, “is that through grace God forgives our sins.” Lambert quotes Colossians 2:13-14 to describe how we can have the amazing blessings of God’s grace, but at a steep price. Even though we are entirely and solely responsible for our sin debt, God made provisions for the debt himself by nailing that debt to the cross of Christ…Every instance of treasuring images of sexual immorality in our hearts, every eager glance at pornography, all of our lustful gawking—everything—is paid for by Jesus in his death for sinners. (21)
Transforming Grace
“Forgiving grace is only one part of the power Jesus gives. God’s powerful grace also gives us strength to live in new ways. Forgiving grace is wonderful and essential, but sinners need more than forgiveness.” (21) After confessing sin and seeking God’s forgiveness, “you need to pursue God’s powerful transforming grace by believing the good news and walking in faith and obedience to the gospel. God’s grace pardons you and forgives your sin, and God’s grace empowers you to live differently and be obedient to him.” (22) Lambert reminds that “No matter how terrible pornography is, no matter how much trouble you are in, no matter how flimsy and weak your resources are, you are never in a pit so deep that the grace of Jesus cannot lift you out.” (28)
This book is an excellent resource for both the individual struggling with an addiction to pornography but also for those in a counseling or accountability partner role. I recommend this book highly not only to all Christian leaders but to ALL Christians.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Cross Focused Reviews as part of their Finally Free Blog Tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”