Recent Reads - Look and Live

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Look and Live by Matt Papa - I must admit that I hadn't heard of Matt Papa before reading his book, and didn't know that he was a songwriter and musician, but this was immediately apparent in his writing style. While this is a practical book that addresses our need to turn our full attention to Jesus, it is written in a lyrical style that appealed to my creative and musical side. Papa delivers hard-hitting truth and personal experience, but not in a dry theological treatise. Instead he builds the compelling case from Scripture that we can live victoriously and overcome sin only when we see God's glory and focus on that rather than the cheap counterfeit glory of the world. The gist is that the basis of all sin is idolatry - we will worship something, but only God is worthy of our worship; but we tend to worship what we look upon. Papa invites Christians to turn our gaze upon Christ and the glory of the cross, and insists that when we do that, 'the things of this earth will grow strangely dim'.

This book should appeal especially to those with a creative and poetic bent, because of the writing style, but may be frustrating to readers who prefer a more "just get to the point" style. As with most non-fiction, I found that reading it slowly and in small chunks worked best for me, allowing me time to think and digest each section before diving into the next. I appreciated the practical application of Scripture and the inclusion of much wisdom from respected theologians; and the encouraging and uplifting tone throughout. This is not a book that beats us over the head because we so often fail at our attempts to power past our sin and temptation. It exhorts us to set our affections and worship where it rightfully belongs; with the assurance that earthly things have nothing to offer that can compare to the glory of God.

From the publisher:

Only One Addiction Can Set You Free
Matt Papa was a "professional Christian" in full-time ministry, ready and determined to change the world. All the while he was depressed, addicted to the approval of others, and enslaved to sin. But then everything changed. He encountered the glory of God.

All of us live in the tension between where we are and where we ought to be. We try our best to bully our desires into submission. And we all know, this is exhausting.

Are you tired? Stuck? Still fighting the same sin you've been fighting for years? The call in these pages is not to work or to strive, but to lift your eyes. You don't need more willpower. You need a vision of greatness that sweeps you off your feet. You  need to see glory.

Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Look and Live.

Visit the Baker Publishing Group for info on where to buy.

(Book #54 in the 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge)

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