Much of this guide is an exploration of Christian theology as it relates to love and faith. Lafaut draws mainly from Paul’s biblical contributions to differentiate Old Testament writings from New Testament ideology, identifying the crux of “grace-based” love, or caring for others regardless of their actions, and “law-based” love, which he argues is a now-defunct method of loving others based on their ability to avoid sin. Lafaut contends that Christians who believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ should no longer trust in rule-keeping but rather “get to a place of clean, non-toxic, gentle-caring for people.” He recommends that Christians seek to hear God’s voice in their daily lives through methods of prayer, self-reflection, and processing emotions in healthy ways.
Readers interested in exploring fresh applications of Christian teachings to contemporary life will appreciate Lafaut’s attention to biblical concepts, particularly his examination of how to replace controlling and negative behaviors with a mindset that concentrates on being kind to others. Though passionate, some of the writing digresses at times, distracting from the overall message and disrupting the text’s flow and impact. Still, Lafaut’s devotion to unconditional regard for others is evident and will inspire readers.
Takeaway: An examination of Christian-based love that emphasizes acceptance over judgment.
Great for fans of: Kent Welch’s The Lost Anchor,David Jeremiah’s Captured by Grace.
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Marketing copy: B
How well do you know I Corinthians 13? Rene Lafaut wants you to know love even better. In Exploring Faith, Hope & Love (Renewing One’s Life), Rene takes each verse in the love chapter and gives his understanding of what love is. He deals with love vs. the Law. Since the Law only points out where we sin, love is more important to us. We need to humbly show love to all those around us—friends, family, and even enemies. True love is possible only through faith in Jesus and allowing His love to manifest itself through us. The Law leads us to condemn others and treat them as inferior to us. It seeks the impossible from us. However, love gives us the way to live and the means to accomplish loving relationships with ourselves and others. Read this book to grow in godly love.
One of the primary needs of mankind is to be accepted and loved. Yet, how often have you felt someone “loved” you to get something from you? The 1960s saw a decade of “free love.” But, unfortunately, it was neither free nor love. In 1965, Jackie DeShannon reminded us that What the World Needs Now Is Love, Sweet Love. The problem with the 1960s is that it failed to define love and did not even consider the definition of love found in the Bible in I Corinthians 13. Rene Lafaut enters the stage and explains his understanding of what God means by “love” in the Bible. Exploring Faith, Hope & Love (Renewing One’s Life) explains and compares faith, hope, and love. If love is as important as God says it is (more significant than faith and hope), it behooves us to read this book and learn more about love.
