How many times did you hear the gospel before coming to know Christ? For me, it was countless.
I grew up attending one evangelical church and then when my parents were divorced we attended a different evangelical church from another denomination and in a new city. I attended Christian schools from kindergarten to Grade 12, and it wasn’t until April of my last year that the power of the gospel was made personal in my life and the Spirit breathed life into my heart. At once, new desires took root, including the desire to read books that would help me in my newfound faith.
My First Taste
Looking to grow, I went to the small book shelf at my Dad’s house and glanced over the titles. Many seemed uninteresting, others irrelevant, and still others not manly enough for my 17-year-old self.
Finally I saw it: “What is the Gospel” by Greg Gilbert—short, black, and straight to the point, this one was for me. I look back at that moment, 14 years ago, with so much thankfulness and joy, knowing that God in his infinite wisdom used that book to place my feet on the rock-solid ground of the gospel.
That book set me on a trajectory that to this day has not changed. Gilbert directed me to other books throughout his short book and brought me into a world of Christian resources that still points me to Christ and how I ought to follow him faithfully.
A Deep Dive
Fast forward a number of years and God brought me to a faithful church on the east end of Toronto. While working in construction and being involved as a member, I was encouraged to consider a pastoral internship. Not thinking it was for me, but I went along with the application process anyway.
Much to my surprise, a number of months later I was a full-time pastoral intern. This was no ordinary internship and I haven’t heard of many like it since then. Within that year, I and my fellow interns read over 30 books; writing summaries, having discussions, and teaching in the church based on some of them.
That year forever changed my knowledge, my relationship with the Lord, and the direction of my life. I am immensely thankful for the pastors who led us through and brought us to those biblical resources!
3 Ways Books Can Do More Than You Think
1. A Biblical Resource Has Hidden Spiritual Power
Whether it’s Isaiah 55:11 reminding us that God’s word never returns void, or Paul’s rebuke in Galatians 3 that reminds us as believers that we grow spiritually by hearing the word with faith, or the author of Hebrews in chapter 4 telling us that the word of God is living and active, we know that without a doubt when God’s word is faithfully proclaimed God himself is at work!
Biblical resources point people to the word of God and the only living and true God works through the power of his Spirit to save, sanctify, and keep his people as they receive the word by faith.
2. A Biblical Resource Can Go Where You Cannot
Like the book I encountered, books are physical and many have a hard time throwing books away. Recently we gave away books at our church and one member asked for recommendations for his tropical holiday. Of course I would have loved to join this member for a great vacation and spend hours discipling him but for obvious reasons I couldn’t.
Other faithful pastors and theologians did however, through the form of well-written books. Faithful gospel resources can go to homes, countries, and people I simply can’t. So I gladly take advantage of the power of gospel resources getting as many out as possible, knowing that at any point someone may pick up that book and come to know the Saviour I love, or grow immensely in their faith and obedience. It’s as simple as the fact that unlike an online article, books last and travel.
3. A Biblical Resource Can Say More Than You Can
Not only were those books able to go where I could not go but books can say more than I can. As a pastor I get the joy of having hard and eternally significant conversations often and am constantly evaluating how much to say and how hard to push people.
When someone picks up a book that holds to biblical teaching, it’s not taken as a personal attack but rather lets the reader receive clear biblical truths from a source that they don’t have to see the next Sunday. Obviously I’m not advocating for pastors to shy away from hard conversations but rather by using solid resources, people are able to learn and interact with biblical truths in their own time and work through them at home and then we can have those conversations on a deeper level.
Conclusion
Friends, books that faithfully point to Jesus are eternally valuable and immensely powerful; do not underestimate the power they can have in your life or the life of your church. Use them shamelessly, advocating for your friends, family, neighbours, and coworkers, to use their time to grow through reading a good book.
We’re thankful for all the ministries that help spread gospel resources but we are especially excited to have 10ofthose in Canada now. They curate what they sell so that they only promote books that point to Jesus. They produce gospel resources for unbelievers and new believers as well as seasoned saints. They are knowledgeable about what they sell and strive to offer books and tracts at the lowest possible cost. We hope you can benefit from their ministry!
