Copyright Page
2017 by Mark Maulding
Published by Baker Books
a division of Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.bakerbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2017
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-0781-1
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations labeled GNT are from the Good News TranslationSecond Edition. Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations labeled Message are from THE MESSAGE. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. ( www.Lockman.org )
Scripture quotations labeled NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled TLB are from The Living Bible, copyright 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Some names and details of the people and situations described in this book have been changed or presented in composite form in order to ensure the privacy of those with whom the author has worked.
Endorsements
Get ready. Get ready for what? For Jesus, through Marks book, Gods Best-Kept Secret , to transform your life. Like a skilled navigator, Mark will lead you on a marvelous journey to discover your identity in Christ and how to live by grace. Reading this book will be one of the best decisions youve ever made!
Derwin Gray , lead pastor of Transformation Church; author of Limitless Life
Its powerful and refreshing to read a book on grace thats accessible, practical, profound, and life-giving. Because Mark understands the heart of God so honestly and authentically, he is able to give us challenges and insights that help distill and clarify truth from the lies weve told ourselves. Hes reclaiming for Christians the life we came to Jesus for: full life, freedom, and heartfelt obedience. This book will free many for years to come.
John Lynch , coauthor of The Cure
This book carries the potential to change your entire outlook on God and life itself. Prepare to be surprised and encouraged by the powerful and liberating truths it contains. If you read only one Christian book this year, let God s Best- Kept Secret be the one!
Andrew Farley , bestselling author of The Naked Gospel ; host of Andrew Farley LIVE on Sirius XM
With the heart of a counselor and the mind of a theologian, Mark Maulding wonderfully unpacks what God has clearly told us but few of us have grasped: the Christian life is not about our striving effort but about Christ living in us. Scales will drop from your eyes as you absorb the liberating truth of the actual good news and enter into Christs fullness. I am thrilled about this gift to the body of Christ!
David Gregory , New York Times bestselling author of Dinner with a Perfect Stranger
Secrets intrigue us. We want to know what they are. Most of the time they disappointbut not God s Best- Kept Secret . This one will change your life. Mark Maulding has been revealing this secret for years through his counseling and speaking ministry. Now he brings his wealth of experience and keen insights to this wonderful book. Read it carefully and discover all God has for you in Christ Jesus. You will be glad you did!
Bob Christopher , president of Basic Gospel and author of Simple Gospel, Simply Grace
On this five-hundredth anniversary of the Reformation, most Christians have yet to discover how to live from their spiritual union with Christ. Mark discerns that the believers new spiritrather than the soulis the basis for their new identity and nature. Although the secret Mark shares seems too good to be true, his use of biblical support, personal testimonies, and practical applications confirm the wisdom of taking the easier yoke of grace discipleship.
Dr. John Woodward , director of counseling and training, Grace Fellowship International
Jesus promised to all who believe in him the experience of abundant life. Yet sadly, so few Christians seem to attain it. In this wonderful new book, Mark Maulding offers not only an explanation for why but also the way to lay hold of that promised abundant life. I heartily recommend this great new book!
Frank Friedmann , teaching pastor, Grace Life Fellowship
Dedication
To Christians everywhere
whom God has been preparing
with great care to discover
his best-kept secret
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Endorsements
Dedication
1. Secrets Christians Never Share
2. Christians Dont Need to Focus on Right and Wrong
3. Christians Believe Weird Stuff about Themselves
4. Christians Dont Have a Civil War Raging inside Them
5. Christians Are Just as Righteous as Jesus
6. Christians Dont Need the Ten Commandments
7. Christians Are Forgiven before They Ever Sin
8. Christians Are Designed to Become Stronger in Suffering
9. Christians Will Not Feel Free unless They Forgive
10. Christians Can Be Controlled by Their Unknown Lies
11. Sinning Is Not Normal for Christians
12. The Secular and Spiritual Are the Same for Christians
Conclusion: Christians Have Gods Best-Kept Secret Within
About the Author
Back Ads
Back Cover
1
Secrets Christians Never Share
I want people to go to heaven, but I dont want them to become a Christian and wind up feeling miserable like me!
Charlotte whispered this confession as tears streamed down her face. No one would have ever expected that shed kept this secret to herself for years. Charlotte was married to a lawyer, had four wonderful children, knew the Bible backward and forward, and had a likable personality. Yet by her own admission she had had a mental breakdown because of her Christian beliefs. No matter how hard she tried, Charlotte just couldnt seem to get Christianity to work for her. When I was asked to meet her at a local hospital, she was obviously depressed as well as confused. Charlotte confided to me what she had never told anyoneshe was beginning to lose her faith in God.
Last week, I was reading my Bible and praying. But just five minutes after I finished, I found myself yelling at my husband and kids. Whats wrong with me? Shana spoke these words as she was sitting in my counseling office with a puzzled expression on her face. How is it possible to be shouting at my family right after Ive felt so spiritual? she asked. Why do I get angry so quickly? Shana is not alone. She echoes the same secrets many sincere men and women have revealed to me in private.