Captured by Grace by Dr. David Jeremiah

Dr. David Jeremiah has written a thought-provoking book about grace and how it is waiting, out there, for all of those who are seeking. He has taken the unique approach of dealing with God's individual grace from the perspective of John Newton and the Apostle Paul. While the author deals with both of these personages and their experiences with grace, he never strays too far from the subject of how that grace is available to all of us and how anyone who reaches out for divine grace will be changed by the experience.

Throughout the book Dr. Jeremiah gives the reader points to ponder and consider. One of these is his definition between mercy and grace. He says, "Mercy is God withholding the punishment we rightfully deserve. Grace is God not only withholding that punishment but offering the most precious of gifts instead. " He, then, goes on to give further differences between the two in one of the most interesting sections of the book.

Another interesting section said: "Grace changes people as nothing else can do. It cleanses the sins of the past. It enable righteousness in the present. And one thing it does is for certain; it constantly surprises us. For the essence of grace is surprise." This last statement gave me pause to reflect. Grace gives the seeker something that he/she does not expect and certainly comes as a surprise to all those who live in the circle of the seeker.

The last chapter of the book deals with where the seeker of grace is at the present. He talks about how unfathomable the reward is and how the requirement is so simple. The book is worth the reading. It makes you think and the connections with the author of the great hymn "Amazing Grace" and the apostle who preaches about grace are treasures of the word.