Unmerited Favor

Very interesting book. I strongly recommend reading Destined to Reign first, however. This book is about 345 pages long. Interestingly, the first 90 pages or so are very "new and fresh". Hope you are good with relationships, because right from the getgo Prince shares that it's not so much what you have in your life but rather WHO you have in your life. After that point seemed like some page space was used to revisit some of the ideas from Destined to Reign. Still, I certainly appreciated Chapter 11 on the next generation of believers. Prince tends to be notably good about encourageing readers to test what he writes against the Bible. I haven't been completely accepting of his take on Galatians 6:7-8; but I realize that is just one moment in an excellent book. Could I possibly be wrong about something? About the last 100 pages the book seemed to get stronger for me. When I write a review I try to stay away from writing the author said this specific little thing or that specific little thing. I prefer to just write something general like this book is a good starting place to think about how we might begin to experience more grace in our lives. But that doesn't mean that Prince had any shortage of interesting ideas throughout the book. As an example, he writes that it is not enough to read and just mentally agree with what we have read. One needs to speak one's faith; and speaking it magnifies the works of Jesus on the cross. I had never thought of that before, but it (magnifying the works of Jesus on the cross) seems like a good thing to me. Actually, the big "ah ha" moment for me was the realization the New Covenant was GOD's decision alone. (seems it really isn't all about me, after all.) Hopefully you will find something helpful in reading Unmerited Favor.

Joseph Prince's "Unmerited Favor" is a must read for anyone who wants to be spiritually fed. To truly ascertain the Gospel of Grace you have to recognize that Jehovah (God) loves you and that he sent his only begotten Son (Christ Jesus) to die on our behalf. He died and freed us from the insalubrious bondage of the Mosaic Law. The Law exposes sins and imperfections, while Grace washes us, leaving a clean slate that is favorable to God. And God demonstrates throughout His word that He's the only one truly capable of displaying genuine agape love (Christian Love). So, keeping that in mind it becomes elementary that Jesus Christ is our advocate in heaven and if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior then we become righteous in the eyes of our heavenly Father. Jesus' death necessitated the unchaining of our hearts from the influence of sin as Joseph Prince states, "When you fail and fall short of the law's perfect standard, that is the time you should exercise your faith to say, `I am the righteousness of God in Christ'." Joseph Prince prides himself in preaching the "Gospel of Grace" and he does it with such conviction and vivaciousness that it will leave God's Word etched in your heart. Furthermore, Prince reminds us that we need to "keep [our] eyes on Jesus" because "it is the most powerful thing [we] can do," and in so doing "Jesus will cause you to reign over every storm in your life!" "Your loving heavenly Father wants you rooted, established and anchored in His unwavering love" because Jesus is pleasing to him (Matthew 3:17) and therefore that automatically makes us pleasing to Him also. Jesus' sacrifice made us worthy of His Grace (Unmerited Favor). Therefore, Christ's inheritance is our inheritance. Also, remember the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, "Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail." And the reason for this is stated by the Apostle John in 1 John 4:8 for "God is Love." John reiterates this in verse 16. Moreover, God "is happy with the truth" because Jesus is the truth. In John 14:6 Jesus states that he is "the truth and the Life," so, by envisaging this truism it becomes elementary that Love is a person, which is Jehovah God Himself, and the Truth is also a person, the personification of Jesus Christ, and you can rest confidently based on faith that the knowledge of these facts guaranties that we can expect good things to sprout up in our lives. This elucidation helps guide us in sharing God's Unmerited Favor (Good News) with others who are in desperate need of it. We can help others to find Christ, and get baptized in the Holy Spirit in the hope of saving their lives for time indefinitely. And this book is pedagogically significant since it provides the necessary tools needed to accomplish this very goal. Prince preaches that we should stop punishing ourselves with the Law because it's no-longer applicable. We need to ascertain that the Law is dichotomous to Grace; therefore we must recognize that we are now under Grace, which is defined in the Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary the Ten Edition as "an unmerited divine assistance given man for his regeneration or sanctification." It also means "a virtue coming from God, approval, and favor." So, if you want to know the truth, Joseph Prince spells it out for you in this book, for you see, "Right believing always leads to right living." Prince stresses, don't let the accuser (Satan) steal your inheritance and don't torture yourself by living under the confines of condemnation and the Mosaic/Levitical Laws, it negates why Christ died for us on Calvary, as Joseph Princes states, "If you fully subject yourself to the Law, it will drive you to the end of yourself and you will come to a place where you have a crystal clear revelation that in and of yourself, you can't save yourself!" Princes words are in total agreement with the Apostle Paul when he said in Romans 7:14-20, "We know that the Law is spiritual; but I am a mortal man, sold as a slave to sin. I do not [comprehend my actions]; for I [can't control or accomplish] what I would like to do, but instead I [engage in insalubrious thoughts and activities that I loathe]. Since what [I engage in is iniquitous and displeasing and I wish to have no part of it], this shows that I agree that the Law is right [and just]. So I am not really the one [who is at fault for these feelings]; rather it is the [sinful proclivities that engulf my flesh]. I know that [righteousness] does not [reside] in me (my human nature). For-even though the desire to [achieve God's standard of goodness] is in me, I am unable [to accomplish it due to my sinful nature]. I [have a tendency to engage in insalubrious actions instead of] the good I want to achieve; [rather], I [commit evil acts contrary to God's will and my own.] If I [continue to engage in] what I [wish not to], this means that I am no longer the one who does it; instead, it is the sin that lives in me [that is responsible]." Jesus drove the point even further when he was crucified on the cross in Luke 23:34, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." We have to be mindful that a paradigm shift has taken place, the Spiritual Kingdom is here already, but we don't see it. Jesus states this in Luke 17:20-21, "The Kingdom of God does not come in such a way as to be seen. No one will say, `Look here it is!' or, `There it is!' because the Kingdom of God is within you." Also, this very point of view is reiterated in the Gospel of Thomas verse 113 when Jesus said. "It (the Kingdom) will not come by [literally] watching for it. Rather, the Father's Kingdom is spread out upon the earth, and people do not see it." We have to envisage that the Spiritual Kingdom is the personification of God's Holy Spirit that resides in us. We have to live it throughout our lives then we will truly reap the rewards of His goodness. God's Grace will transform you inside and out and allow you to witness the Kingdom that so many wish to see for themselves. As Joseph Prince propagates, "all you have to do is receive His Unmerited Favor and your life will be radically blessed." The question is, "do you want to partake in God's Unmerited Favor?" If so repeat the salvation prayer in the back of the book and you will receive all the blessings that Jehovah and his Son (Christ Jesus) have in store for you. Also, by reading Joseph Prince's cathartic book, I assure you that you'll be truly blessed because it is a radical way of thinking. Plus you will find solace in knowing that "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, and who so ever exercises Faith in him will not perish, but will achieve everlasting life" (John 3:16). Shalom....Peace be with you.

Prince is the best preacher I have encountered at finding Jesus in the entire Bible and revealing Gods love and grace towards us. Teaching from the Old and New Testament, he leads you to Jesus and His Righteousness. I have been a believer for many years, talked to thousands about Jesus and written a popular apologetics book, but it took God leading me to Joseph to mature as a believer. As the Bible says, We should seek His righteousness first and everything else will be add. It is all about His Righteousness. Once you really are established in His righteousness and love, peace and joy follow automatically. At the same time the peace and joy cancel out any legalism, desire to sin, disease, depression,fear, worry, stress and more. I encourage everyone to read all of Princes books and listen to his sermons. This is the life changer you have been looking for. Walk in the freedom Jesus died to give you now. Commit yourself to focus on the gospel of grace for 90 days and do not listen to sermons with mixture of law and grace and you will never look back or be the same. There is untold strength in Christ waiting for you. Hope for whatever you are going through. I honestly feel like the man in the Bible who found the treasure in the field and sold everything to buy that field. All this has happened while my life in the natural had taken a major turn for the worse. I find what he writes totally supported by scripture and in no way leading to a life where I want to sin more as some of his critics claim, just the opposite is the truth.

The first time I listened to Pastor Joseph Prince teach was in 2008 in Singapore. (I got a copy of the book in 2010. The recent copy I ordered was for a friend.) His understanding of the verses in the Bible was very refreshing for me who started reading the Bible only eight years earlier. I have listened to most of the major Pastors in the US during the 8 year period and Pastor Prince had indeed a unique way of explaining some of the intricate verses especially those pertaining to the ten commandments given by God to Moses and verses about the terms of the New Covenant, like Hebrews 8:10-13. And read carefully Heb. 8:12. He explains What it Means to Believe in Jesus (page 168). The book is a compelling read which is difficult to stop reading. In fact I have read the book three times over the past 3 years. I encouraged you to get a copy, read it and keep it with your Bible and share the information to friends, believers or otherwise. All the best and God bless your work, your family, your health and your finances. Remember,if your earthly parents wants to give you stuff, what more your heavenly Father. He has in fact a mansion ready for you which you did not earn or do not deserve. He is giving it to you because He wants to, because you believe in Him and you fellowship with Him every day.

I watch Joseph Prince's sermons all the time. This was my very first encounter with one of his books (now I have several). He is truly an anointed pastor. I've never heard anyone preach the Gospel the way he does. I loved this book from cover to cover. I especially found helpful his comparison between the Old Covenant of the Law and the New Covenant of Grace, and how he reveals what true humility (and victory) is -- dependence on Christ and His finished work. The book is just filled with how God truly sees us; it's impossible to remain in condemnation and shame or guilt when you discover (or re-discover) just how much the Father loves you. I love this book so much (have I said that enough?) that I purchase a new copy every now and then to give as a gift to friends/loved ones. A definite must read. If you're on the fence - put this book in your cart and click purchase. You won't regret it.

Every page and chapter will give you insight and peace. All the questions that you have been repeating for years when you read the Bible will have answers. After reading it all the way through, peace will simply increase to you daily. Avweight will fall from your shoulders. You will breathe deeply and freely. Read it and see. Enjoy. This will change your life. You are blessed E. Barnard 🙏

Joseph Prince the Senior Pastor of New Creation Church in Singapore has written a book about Jesus and his Unmerited favor. He preaches a gospel of Grace and believes that one should stop trying to merit God's blessings and start depending on Jesus's unmerited favor for every success in your life. There are works and there is faith, Prince believes it is not the works you do but the faith that Jesus paid the price for your sins and if you believe right you will act right and enjoy success. Prince divides the Gospel into the Old Covenant of the Law and the New Covenant of Grace(pgs.178-179). IN THE OLD COVENANT God demanded righteousness and obedience from man while in the New Covenant believers do not have to depend on their self-efforts to receive God's blessings because Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the law through his death on the Cross and his resurrection. Prince believes that we cannot have the world associating Christianity with the law anymore(p.154). He states that depending on self-effort produces behavior modification without heart transformation and that only Grace can transform young people and that throwing laws at them like the 10 Commandments will only stir up their flesh to rebel. As a Catholic who reads a lot of books by Chrisitian Pastors, I am not in total agreement with the belief that your works and the law do not make a difference and that changes in ones behavior in observances of the law do not lead to transformation and love of Jesus. I found his perspective and interpretation of the Bible interesting and thought provoking but not entirely convincing.

I would definately recommend this to anyone that is searching for Jesus, those who are tired, those who church has abused, those searching for a close walk with God and a deeper relationship with Jesus. Excellent book! A real weapon in God's arsenal against the lies all too prevalent in the world today. Everyone should read this.