Through rhythms like Sabbath, Prayer, Solitude, and other everyday practices from the life of Jesus, we can begin to reshape our unformed selves and experience the fullness of a life with God. In this way, his ability to synthesize observations into simpler terms that necessitate practical steps reminds me very much of Andy Crouch's work (see The Life We're Looking For) or in some ways Justin Whitmel Early (see The Common Rule, Habits Of The Household). I am, admittedly, more progressive in social views and theology than Comer, but I do welcome intellectual critiques of modern liberalism (which are actually my favorite parts of the book). It analyzes the main challenges facing Christians today, including lies from the devil and the influences of Western secular society, which are often incompatible with religious values. Here’s my best shot at a definition of agape love: A compassionate commitment to delight in the soul of another and to will that person’s good ahead of your own, no matter the cost to yourself Love is the desire not to take but to give.

Also, and this is really nitpicky, but at one point Comer says social isolation from the lockdowns resulted in "the suicide rate spiked to an all-time high. Here’s the key message: Secular society treats lies as truth, and this leads to unhappiness and sin.

Until fairly recently, fasting was a core practice in the church, but it’s at odds with modern beliefs about the importance of getting what you want. Man–despite his artistic pretensions, his sophistication, and his many accomplishments–owes his existence to a six- inch layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains. Syncretism is going to occur regardless of political ideology, but I would've welcomed more advice on how to recognize "secular colonization" in your own life and when to know when you're co-opting your beliefs - because, as church history has shown, you can find authors, pastors, and intellectual "thought leaders" to support any kind of "Biblical worldview" that benefits your cognitive dissonance. According to Comer, fighting the world requires the spiritual discipline of “gathering with your church. It is, as Eugene Peterson pointed out, “an atmosphere, a mood,” that’s crept into us like a cancerous rot.

Comer offers theological substance, astute cultural insight, and practical wisdom for creating a Rule of Life in the modern age. Through Practicing the Way, John Mark will create beautiful spiritual formation resources and experiences to help you and your church be with Jesus, become like Jesus and to do what he did. Written in the same quirky, chatty style as before, 'Live No Lies' is an intelligent and hard-hitting counterattack on what most sabotages our peace: namely our three greatest enemies; the world, the flesh and the devil. NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The bestselling author of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry equips readers to recognize and resist the lies that seek to rob them of peace and freedom.I also appreciated his comments on Biblical sexuality, though that is a huge theological debate in some circles. Additionally, Comer continues to employ the "Rob Bell school of writing prose" with lots of separated paragraphs and white space - which makes for a quick reading experience. Good or evil, love or hate, justice or tyranny, grapes or thorns, a gracious compliment or a peevish complaint—whatever we invest, we tend to get it back with interest. A timely counter narrative to the polarisation corroding western society, Jesus doesn’t just provide a digestible alternative to individualism, but the only means to life in abundance, beyond the futile desires of the flesh.

There are far too many alarmists who speak only of the problems we face but don’t offer any solutions. After my dismal reaction to The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, I fully expected never to read a book by John Mark Comer (JMC) again. In this challenging context, Christians should rely on spiritual practices such as quiet prayer and reading scripture; meanwhile, churches should become stable, close-knit communities to help Christians stay on the right path. There’s nothing new or unnatural about desire – it’s a problem that goes right back to Adam and Eve.Originally picked up for the purpose of combatting lies from the enemy, but got a lot more than that!

In addition, a church should be a community of holiness, set apart from the hedonism of secular society. Jon is leading a community of people at Church of the City New York to live counter-formatively for Jesus in one of the world’s most progressive, individualistic cities.I feel thankful for the timing of this book, for all that I learned about spiritual warfare and also going to war with the flesh! Comer breaks down the whole premise of the book (recognizing and resisting the three enemies that sabotage your peace) into three different categories that are often spoken of in the New Testament. Sadly, many followers of Jesus in America are the primary targets for people spreading disinformation. Neuroscience studies show that repeating something makes it easier because it becomes encoded into the wiring of your brain.