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When Being Good Isn't Good Enough
When Being Good Isn't Good Enough is good news for exhausted, discouraged, and frustrated Christians.How to stop striving to please a God who is already pleased.How grace ensures we are free...*Free from rules that bind* Free from the manipulation of other Christians* Free from slavery to religion* Free from fitting into the world's moldSteve writes, "The older I get the more I realize that Jesus really did come to 'set the prisoners free.' The more I think about and walk in that freedom, the more I have discovered the exquisite joy in following Him."
222 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1990
17 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Steve Brown
46 books52 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Steve Brown is a radio broadcaster, seminary professor and author. He previously served as a pastor for over twenty-five years and now devotes much of his time to the radio broadcast, Key Life.
With such varied experience and unique perspective on life, Steve is an original. He refuses to be a "guru," doesn't want to be anyone's mother and gives, in his teaching, the freedom to think. Overall, Steve has become known for his refreshing and practical Biblical applications.
Steve serves as Professor Emeritus of Preaching and Pastoral Ministry at Reformed Theological Seminary. He sits on the board of the National Religious Broadcasters and Harvest USA. Traveling extensively, Steve is a much-in-demand speaker.
Steve is the author of numerous books including A Scandalous Freedom, What Was I Thinking? and Approaching God. His articles appear in such magazines and journals as Leadership, Decision, Plain Truth and Today's Christian Woman.
Steve Brown is a radio broadcaster, seminary professor and author. He previously served as a pastor for over twenty-five years and now devotes much of his time to the radio broadcast, Key Life.
With such varied experience and unique perspective on life, Steve is an original. He refuses to be a "guru," doesn't want to be anyone's mother and gives, in his teaching, the freedom to think. Overall, Steve has become known for his refreshing and practical Biblical applications.
Steve serves as Professor Emeritus of Preaching and Pastoral Ministry at Reformed Theological Seminary. He sits on the board of the National Religious Broadcasters and Harvest USA. Traveling extensively, Steve is a much-in-demand speaker.
Steve is the author of numerous books including A Scandalous Freedom, What Was I Thinking? and Approaching God. His articles appear in such magazines and journals as Leadership, Decision, Plain Truth and Today's Christian Woman.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 14, 2009
This book was radical and very suspicious to my immediate thinking but as I read more and more I felt as if He had something, something that is very seldom addressed in the church and that is the radical nature of Grace. Stemming from his understanding of Justification by grace through faith he calls the Church to understand the freedom that comes from a true understanding of the gospel message.
Pastor and speaker Steve Brown calls believers to live in response to the message that God loves you no more or no less based on what you do or don't do.
That our sin has consequences and those consequences are the scorn we face, not the wrath of God, that his wrath is saved for the unbelieving.
He teaches that we need freedom from the prisons of the neurotic ideas that plague the church. Thinking we can earn Gods favor, or that he keeps track of our sin to hold it against us. I have read the book and partially digested it but I must admit for me, an american Christian, this is not what I've been hearing the past 12 years in the churches I've attended.
This book adresses many subjects that when you read them you will no doubt feel as if he's a lunatic, but he put much if not all of my skepticism in perspective, he's no slouch theologically, he's a 5 point calvinist, teaches occasionally at RTS Orlando and has completed seminary. He claims his ideas are no different than many great church leaders down through the centuries, but modern Church has torn away the rudiments of the radical nature of the gospel message.
Through out the book he addresses the questions of antinomianism, freedom in Christ, sanctification, focus points for those who want to escape the prisons of legalism, showing us why loving Jesus is the true goal of the gospel, and when we have freed ourselves from living up to a standard we never could live up to anyway, but we simply rest in the completed work of Christ and find that that is what brings us the joy we seek by trying to be good, but in turn this love for Jesus should drive us to do good out of love not fear. I suggest this book be widely read if for no other reason than, it will open your eyes to some things that are holding you back from really experienceing the joy that is in Christ Jesus.
He asks us to ask ourselves if we feel the gospel message that we commonly have preached to us sounds like "good news", if it is good news then why do we have so many problems in the church today, are we not truly believers or are we not getting the radical nature of grace and living free rather then in bondage to our need for an approval that we already possess. I look forward to reading more and learning and growing in grace. He has some 40 messages on the Itunes RTS Orlando site called "Grace in the Church" which basically sums up this whole work in audio format. Enjoy the journey!
Pastor and speaker Steve Brown calls believers to live in response to the message that God loves you no more or no less based on what you do or don't do.
That our sin has consequences and those consequences are the scorn we face, not the wrath of God, that his wrath is saved for the unbelieving.
He teaches that we need freedom from the prisons of the neurotic ideas that plague the church. Thinking we can earn Gods favor, or that he keeps track of our sin to hold it against us. I have read the book and partially digested it but I must admit for me, an american Christian, this is not what I've been hearing the past 12 years in the churches I've attended.
This book adresses many subjects that when you read them you will no doubt feel as if he's a lunatic, but he put much if not all of my skepticism in perspective, he's no slouch theologically, he's a 5 point calvinist, teaches occasionally at RTS Orlando and has completed seminary. He claims his ideas are no different than many great church leaders down through the centuries, but modern Church has torn away the rudiments of the radical nature of the gospel message.
Through out the book he addresses the questions of antinomianism, freedom in Christ, sanctification, focus points for those who want to escape the prisons of legalism, showing us why loving Jesus is the true goal of the gospel, and when we have freed ourselves from living up to a standard we never could live up to anyway, but we simply rest in the completed work of Christ and find that that is what brings us the joy we seek by trying to be good, but in turn this love for Jesus should drive us to do good out of love not fear. I suggest this book be widely read if for no other reason than, it will open your eyes to some things that are holding you back from really experienceing the joy that is in Christ Jesus.
He asks us to ask ourselves if we feel the gospel message that we commonly have preached to us sounds like "good news", if it is good news then why do we have so many problems in the church today, are we not truly believers or are we not getting the radical nature of grace and living free rather then in bondage to our need for an approval that we already possess. I look forward to reading more and learning and growing in grace. He has some 40 messages on the Itunes RTS Orlando site called "Grace in the Church" which basically sums up this whole work in audio format. Enjoy the journey!
August 20, 2013
Not as good as his book "Three Free Sins", but no less thought provoking and grace filled! I love his candor and compassion! It frees me to know that I don't have to get it right or have it all together 'cause even in his old age, Steve isn't perfect either! He's a sinner like me struggling with feelings of not being good enough, but believing that Jesus' performance was good enough for the Father to be satisfied! And his righteous is imputed to us!
June 1, 2008
God’s salvation could bring us to laugh the laugh of freedom and joy in His presence. But there are some important reasons why we who have come to God for grace and salvation have not known this freedom to laugh for sometime. This book explores what went wrong and shows us how to find the freedom to laugh again.
In part one, Steve explores the humorless elements of that which has corrupted Christian faith in our day. The further you get from a relationship with the God who loves you and frees you, the more fettered your faith is. It helps to remember that Jesus and Paul were accused of being lawless, because real Christianity is closer to lawlessness than the Pharisaism found in the Church today. Moreover, genuine Christian faith must be distinguished from the cultural and psychological baggage of its adherents. Part One begins with a beautiful and illustrative story of a mean little boy who secretly desires to learn to play piano. This boy, who cannot afford lessons, is surprisingly befriended by a master who not only teaches him for free, but also covers his mistakes as he learns and performs. To prepare us for the rest of the book, Steve asks us to remember this story, which obviously stands for the gospel, as we wrestle through the implications of the free grace of God in Christ.
Having separated genuine Christian faith from its dross, In part two, Steve takes us on an exploration of the pure gospel itself. We investigate justification (via another wonderful illustration of our pardon by the Father-King who paid the price for all of our crimes). We examine sanctification, receiving clear and helpful teaching of the four-fold purpose of the law (how to use it and how not to abuse it). And then, Steve treats us to a compelling survey of essential lines in the sand; between the saved and the lost, between love and fear as a motivator; between God and man as the One who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; and between freedom (which leads to obedience) and obedience (which does not lead to freedom).
Then having explored the true Gospel which God gives to set us free, Steve asks the following question in part three: If Jesus set me free, why do I feel bound?
And the rest of the book is taken up with this question’s four-fold answer. Sometimes its because Christians like to be bound – and here, Christians are likened to Pharaoh who asked to keep the frogs just one more day (Ex. 8:9-10a). We like the security and safety in bondage or the deserts of a guilty conscience or poor self-image. Sometimes its because we forget that the prison keepers are just like us, equally longing for freedom themselves. Sometimes its because we focus on the wrong things; the law instead of love, judgment instead of Jesus, results instead of relationship. And, Finally, sometimes its because we fail to grant others the grace we so desperately rely on for ourselves.
This is a rich and rewarding read! The illustrative story in part one alone is well worth the price of the book, especially if you borrow it as I did from a seminary library. Read this book and find the freedom to frolic and laugh in God’s free grace again!
In part one, Steve explores the humorless elements of that which has corrupted Christian faith in our day. The further you get from a relationship with the God who loves you and frees you, the more fettered your faith is. It helps to remember that Jesus and Paul were accused of being lawless, because real Christianity is closer to lawlessness than the Pharisaism found in the Church today. Moreover, genuine Christian faith must be distinguished from the cultural and psychological baggage of its adherents. Part One begins with a beautiful and illustrative story of a mean little boy who secretly desires to learn to play piano. This boy, who cannot afford lessons, is surprisingly befriended by a master who not only teaches him for free, but also covers his mistakes as he learns and performs. To prepare us for the rest of the book, Steve asks us to remember this story, which obviously stands for the gospel, as we wrestle through the implications of the free grace of God in Christ.
Having separated genuine Christian faith from its dross, In part two, Steve takes us on an exploration of the pure gospel itself. We investigate justification (via another wonderful illustration of our pardon by the Father-King who paid the price for all of our crimes). We examine sanctification, receiving clear and helpful teaching of the four-fold purpose of the law (how to use it and how not to abuse it). And then, Steve treats us to a compelling survey of essential lines in the sand; between the saved and the lost, between love and fear as a motivator; between God and man as the One who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; and between freedom (which leads to obedience) and obedience (which does not lead to freedom).
Then having explored the true Gospel which God gives to set us free, Steve asks the following question in part three: If Jesus set me free, why do I feel bound?
And the rest of the book is taken up with this question’s four-fold answer. Sometimes its because Christians like to be bound – and here, Christians are likened to Pharaoh who asked to keep the frogs just one more day (Ex. 8:9-10a). We like the security and safety in bondage or the deserts of a guilty conscience or poor self-image. Sometimes its because we forget that the prison keepers are just like us, equally longing for freedom themselves. Sometimes its because we focus on the wrong things; the law instead of love, judgment instead of Jesus, results instead of relationship. And, Finally, sometimes its because we fail to grant others the grace we so desperately rely on for ourselves.
This is a rich and rewarding read! The illustrative story in part one alone is well worth the price of the book, especially if you borrow it as I did from a seminary library. Read this book and find the freedom to frolic and laugh in God’s free grace again!
September 13, 2011
"Why was Jesus so angry with the Pharisees and the scribes? Because He had gone through a lot of trouble to give them some very good news about forgiveness, acceptance, and freedom. And they kept getting it wrong."
When I started reading this book I was concerned that he was leaning toward cheap grace and easy believism, but that was not the case. He talks about Christians who have a very good outward appearance, but their motivation is to please people or to earn God's love,and as a result they live in fear. "The law reflects the parameters of God's desire-not the parameters of His love." He talks about how some Christians use the law to get close to God. Sometimes they feel the need to do a good deed to balance out a bad deed. I like the example he uses about his kids. His love for them is not dependent on their actions. He will always love them whether they are good or bad and nothing can change the fact that they will always be his children. If he tells his children that he will love them as long as they live the way they were raised and not do certain things that will cause him not to love them, they will live in fear. If he tells him that he loves them and they will always be his children they will be moved by his love and want to live godly lives.
"It is inappropriate to use the law as a way of setting ourselves on a pedestal with a divine calling to create others in our own image. It happens all the time. We have this cultural idea of what godly righteousness is, and we work to conform ourselves to it. Once we feel sufficiently superior to everyone else we go about making them like us."
When I started reading this book I was concerned that he was leaning toward cheap grace and easy believism, but that was not the case. He talks about Christians who have a very good outward appearance, but their motivation is to please people or to earn God's love,and as a result they live in fear. "The law reflects the parameters of God's desire-not the parameters of His love." He talks about how some Christians use the law to get close to God. Sometimes they feel the need to do a good deed to balance out a bad deed. I like the example he uses about his kids. His love for them is not dependent on their actions. He will always love them whether they are good or bad and nothing can change the fact that they will always be his children. If he tells his children that he will love them as long as they live the way they were raised and not do certain things that will cause him not to love them, they will live in fear. If he tells him that he loves them and they will always be his children they will be moved by his love and want to live godly lives.
"It is inappropriate to use the law as a way of setting ourselves on a pedestal with a divine calling to create others in our own image. It happens all the time. We have this cultural idea of what godly righteousness is, and we work to conform ourselves to it. Once we feel sufficiently superior to everyone else we go about making them like us."
August 20, 2013
“The radical idea is this: If you are a Christian, you are free. No, I don’t mean you are free with a number of ifs, ands, and buts. I mean you are really free. No disclaimer. No addendum. No qualifying points. You are free. I didn’t say it. Jesus did: ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free…Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.’ (John 8:31-32, 36) Freedom is a gift from the Son of God. If He says I’m free, that ought to settle it for me. And He does say it. So I dare anyone to say otherwise. What does it mean to be free in Christ? It means we are free from the rules we thought bound us to God. It means we are free from the manipulation other Christians use to make us like them – free from having to fit into the world’s mold, free to be different. We are free from the slavery of religion and from the fear of rejection, alienation, and guilt. We are free from the fear of death. We are free from masks, free from the sham and pretense; free to doubt, free to risk, free to question. It means we are free to live every moment. But most of all, we are free to follow Christ, not because we have to but because we want to.”
" An unfortunate and popular teaching today suggests that if you don’t live a holy life, if you don’t manifest righteousness, then you could not possibly belong to Christ. I understand that kind of teaching and have taught it myself. But I was wrong…Not only was I wrong, but what I taught was dangerous. I had done something I had no right to do; I had told some of God’s people that they weren’t God’s people. Nobody except God has the right to say that."
" An unfortunate and popular teaching today suggests that if you don’t live a holy life, if you don’t manifest righteousness, then you could not possibly belong to Christ. I understand that kind of teaching and have taught it myself. But I was wrong…Not only was I wrong, but what I taught was dangerous. I had done something I had no right to do; I had told some of God’s people that they weren’t God’s people. Nobody except God has the right to say that."
June 8, 2016
Excellent simplicity yet powerful
I approached this book with much caution but finished it so much more free about my relationship with Christ. Am I in a position to think I can just do anything because of freedom? Yes, but do I desire to? No. Freedom brings obedience. Not the other way around. My outlook on some important things have been brought into focus. Thanks, Mr. Brown.
I approached this book with much caution but finished it so much more free about my relationship with Christ. Am I in a position to think I can just do anything because of freedom? Yes, but do I desire to? No. Freedom brings obedience. Not the other way around. My outlook on some important things have been brought into focus. Thanks, Mr. Brown.
October 26, 2014
I've had this book for more than twenty years, and it is still both simple and profound in its message. I love the author's writing style, which is very like his speaking style. If your Christian faith seems like a ton of back-breaking work, this is your book.
December 19, 2017
Excellent! Loved it! Will probably read it again. And most definitely will refer it to others to read as well. Free! Not to sin. But to live. Free from guilt, my own and others. Free to be human. Free to live under grace. If grace is good enough for God, it should be good enough for us as well.
March 9, 2012
One of my favorite books and people, be free!
November 21, 2013
A very valuable, and quirky view of grace.
January 11, 2014
My new favorite author..another book that really touched my heart and mind of things I needed to hear from God's Word.
November 27, 2018
One if the best and most helpful books I’ve ever read. I’ve probably read it 5 or 6 times.
July 17, 2023
A wonderful book for anyone who has grown up in a very legalistic way.
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First edition
read in 1990
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read in 1990
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews