Swindoll - The Grace Awakening

This book made available by the Internet Archive.

It is with great affection I dedicate this book to

Paul and Sue Sailhamer

and

Howie and Marilyn Stevenson

whose lives and ministries radiate grace.

Because of our close friendship, I know better what it means to be free.

PUBLICATIONS BY CHARLES R. SWINDOLL

Books:

Come Before Winter Compassion: Showing Care in a

Careless World Dropping Your Guard Encourage Me For Those Who Hurt The Grace Awakening Growing Deep in the Christian

Life Growing Strong in the Seasons

of Life Growing Wise in Family Life Hand Me Another Brick Improving Your Serve Killing Giants, Pulling Thorns Leadership: Influence that

Inspires Living Above the Level of

Mediocrity Living Beyond the Daily Grind,

Books I and II

Living on the Ragged Edge Make Up Your Mind The Quest for Character Recovery: When Healing Takes

Time Rise and Shine: A Wake-Up

Call Sanctity of Life: The

Inescapable Issue Standing Out Starting Over Strengthening Your Grip Stress Fractures Strike the Original Match Three Steps Forward, Two

Steps Back Victory: A Winning Game Plan

for Life You and Your Child

Booklets:

Anger

Attitudes

Commitment

Dealing with Defiance

Demonism

Destiny

Divorce

Eternal Security

God's Will

Hope

Impossibilities

Integrity

Leisure

The Lonely Whine of the Top

Dog Moral Purity Our Mediator Peace in Spite of Panic Prayer Sensuality Singleness Stress Tongues When Your Comfort Zone Gets

the Squeeze Woman

Acknowledgments

*

I am a grateful man. I have every reason to be. It is my joy to have numerous people surrounding me with encouragement, affirmation, honest feedback, and an abundant supply of fresh hope to stay at tough tasks. I consider them more than friends; they are partners with me, true to the end. To say that they have been helpful in seeing this book to completion is a gross understatement of the fact.

Contrary to a recurring rumor, I have no writing staff or team of researchers who provide me with historical and illustrative material or serve as my "ghost-writers." Every word comes from my own pen through the age-old process most authors still use: blood, sweat, tears, sleepless nights, lengthy stares at blank sheets of paper, unproductive days when everything gets dumped into the trash, and periodic moments when inspiration and insight flow. My method is so obsolete I don't even use a word processor, and I have a thick, pen-worn callous on my finger to prove it.

Acknowledgments

But what I do have are these faithful partners who believe in me enough to pray for me while I'm in the midst of giving birth to a book. They do more than pray, however. Some make suggestions. Others offer ideas and toss out warnings as well as goad me with questions. One types, another edits, several read, and many patiently listen. Because I am a pastor, having served the same church since 1971,1 also have a lot of ears who hear the things I later put into a book. They help me hone my words by responding to what I have said with comments that are often poignant. And then there are those who serve with me on the same pastoral staffmy closest colleagueswith whom I have an enviable and rare relationship. As I acknowledge their value in my life and their contribution to my writing, I could not be more sincere or grateful. So much for all my unnamed yet eminently appreciated "partners."

Specifically, I am indebted to Byron Williamson of Word Publishing for his tireless enthusiasm over this book. His support has been relentless since its inception. In addition, Kip Jordon and Ernie Owen, both long-time friends of mine at Word, have given me great encouragement, being convinced that my perspective and convictions on grace deserved to be published so all could read what we have discussed and agreed on for years. While acknowledging my appreciation for those in the Word family, I dare not forget to mention my editor, Beverly Phillips, with whom I have worked for over a decade. She continues to model the qualities an author needs most in an editora discerning eye, a sensitive spirit, wise counsel, accuracy mixed with flexibility, penetrating questions that make me think, and a kind of convincing criticism that forces me to reevaluate and (ugh!) rewrite.

My list would be incomplete if I failed to mention Sealy Yates, who supplied invaluable assistance behind the scenes. Being the man of integrity that he is, his advice and suggestions rang true and proved to be best. I am grateful that he cared more about The Grace Awakening project than his own schedule, and when my patience wore thin he demonstrated the kind

Acknowledgments

of grace I write about. And, of course, I must again express my profound thanks to Helen Peters, whose diligence knows no bounds. With tireless determination she proofread the manuscript numerous times, corrected my spelling, typed every word, secured approval for my quotations and illustrations, adapted her personal calendar to meet the demands of my deadlines, put the final copy into perfect form ahead of schedulein itself, a minor miracleand all without one word of exasperation or complaint. Helen could sit for a portrait of amazing grace.

Finally, I acknowledge the support of my entire family, whose attitudes and expressions of grace (especially over the past two years) have been nothing short of incredible. In spite of the storms we have weathered and the pain we have endured together, not once have I felt anything but their unconditional love and absolute support. Rather than being pulled apart, we have bonded closer than ever. So thank you, Cynthia, Colleen, and Chuck... thank you, Curt and Deb, Byron and Charissa, along with Ryan, Chelsea, Landon, Parker, and Heather... and thank you, too, Luci, my dear sister, for your unfailing loyalty and love.

Tis grace hath brought us safe thus far And grace will lead us home. 1

Introduction

#

A new movement is on the horizon.

It is a movement of freedom, a joyful release from the things that have bound us far too long. More and more Christians are realizing that the man-made restrictions and legalistic regulations under which they have been living have not come from the God of grace, but have been enforced by people who do not want others to be free. It is not an overstatement to describe this movement as an awakening that is beginning to sweep across the country. Nothing could please me more. This awakening to freedom is long overdue. It fits the times in which we are living.

The world has been witnessing an astounding political awakening to freedom in Eastern Europe. The wide-eyed smiling faces of East Germans tell their own story as many in this generation are tasting liberty for the first time. The cry of Freiheit has been shouted at border gates and in the streets of Budapest, Prague, Bucharest, and East Berlin. Not since the