Comforts from Romans, by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick (Review & Giveaway)

When asked if I would like to read and review a copy of Comforts from Romans, by Elyse Fitzpatrick, I immediately said yes. After having read Comforts from the Cross I was curious to check this one out.

The subtitle of Comforts from Romans - Celebrating the Gospel One Day at a Time - should tip you off that this book is a devotional. There are 32 short (2 to  3 pages each) readings to help us focus on the book of Romans, the Gospel message and love of Christ. Not necessarily in that order.

As the title suggests, every single teaching in this book is taken from the Romans. It is Fitzpatrick's hope that the reader will be refreshed and encouraged by the message of the Gospel. And while encouragement is good and healthy, she also notes, it is important that the teaching in Romans should bring about conviction in your heart. True conviction leads to true repentance and there is a tremendous need for both. When we have confessed our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and we will find ourselves reconciled to Christ, by Christ.

Saving yourself is not your job. God has already done the work to accomplish your salvation. As she writes, "You are not the subject of Romans. He is, and that's how it should be." We have been saved, we are being saved and it is not of our own efforts. Our duty as Christians is to follow hard after Christ, learning more about Him and what He expects of us as His dear children.

Throughout the book Fitzpatrick reminds us that it is not of our own works that we are to boast in. We can boast only in Christ and in His saving grace. I like this devotional because she consistenty and steadily points the reader back to the Bible and the Author of it. Throughout she reminds you that it's not about you, it's not about you, it's not about you. Speaking entirely for myself, she helped me to see that I had rather pridefully relied on my own merits instead of acknowledging and confessing some very glaring sins. She rocked the boat a bit, clearly and emphatically speaking to my own obnoxious heart:

"Paul's story is good news for those of us who are tempted to put our trust in ourselves, in our own ability to work hard enough to merit God's favor Grace is so surprising! It's surprising because while it may seem likely that a prostitute would recognize her need for rescue, the homeschooling, bread-baking, devotion-reading mom who attends her local church faithfully (while trusting in her own goodness) will choke on the humiliating message of gospel rescue." (Day One, A Ruined Righteousness, page 16)

I have indeed felt choked with humility of late. (It was helpful AND convenient to take a little bloggy break this last week to finish a scrapbook and think through some other non-book-related issues.) This book came at a good time and assured me that while I am indeed - most assuredly! - a sinner, I have also been saved by grace.

She doesn't take the Book of Romans and discuss it chapter by chapter. Instead she pulls principles and specific verses out for the reader's consideration to help them think through Romans and what Paul is teaching through these scriptures. She explains:

" . . . [T]his little book is not meant to be a commentary on the entire book of Romans bur rather a devotional taste of the truths presented in chapters 1 through 8. . . . My goal in this book is to make us hungry for him and to begin to present Christ to us in such a way that we will taste and see that he is good." (Introduction, page 12)

I've explained in the past that I'm not a terribly big fan of devotionals. I think the stop-and-start of each lesson causes me to lose attention quickly. I tried very hard to read this book at the rate of one devotional a day but that soon fell by the wayside and I started reading through it as I would a regular book. Really, this book is simply a tool to get your mind engaged with scriptures and you should feel free to use it in whatever manner serves you best. As far as devotions go though, this seems a very good and solid one with good chunks of meat to chew on.

On to some exciting news (which sounds a little weird to say after talking about the Gospel message):

1. Each Monday in March, Elyse Fitzpatrick will share devotional thoughts from Romans on the Crossway Blog. Crossway invites you to read (and re-read!) Romans 1-8 throughout the month of March, joining in with the devotion and discussion provided and prompted by Fitzpatrick.

If you feel like you are behind in your Bible reading this year, this is an option to help you pick up and get started focusing on the most important book of all. CLICK HERE for more information on the Reboot Your Bible Reading Plan.

2. Crossway Books have authorized me to giveaway ONE copy of Comforts from Romans to one of you. (Should you win then you have even more incentive to track with the Reboot Your Bible Reading Plan with Fitzpatrick!) This contest will be open through Tuesday, February 26th and is open to U.S. Residents only.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. THE WINNER, as selected by random.org, IS #9 - Janna! Congrats!

Thank you Crossway for providing a copy of this book to myself and another to one of my readers.