I will just put it out there. Most Christian books are written to sell books, and not to point people into a true New Covenant discipleship. Most expend their ink telling you what it is you should be doing by your own efforts to please our God, but not telling you how He wants us to relate to Him in a true New Covenant relationship. Many others tell you how you can live according to some spruced-up values of the world and somehow still please God. Few books there are that will guide you into a life emptied of self and all self-living, a life filled only by the life of the indwelling Christ.
Below are ten great books that will help you enter into and navigate the New Covenant life of a true disciple. These are but a sampling of the many books by authors whose names you might recognize that will take you deeper into the life as Jesus, Paul, Peter and John describe it.
“Christ Life” by A. B. Simpson (founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance and a mentor to A.W. Tozer). This, the most well-known of Simpson’s books, is a thorough exploration of the life of Christ lived in us by His indwelling Spirit. A must-read for the aspiring true disciple.
“Experiencing the Holy Spirit” by Andrew Murray. Murray wrote richly about the life of Christ in us by the indwelling Spirit of Christ. This is one of the best and most practical books on the Holy Spirit ever written.
“The Deep Things of God” by Norman Grubb. A great exploration of the eternal purpose of our God for humankind and how He is bringing it to pass throughout history and through the faithful. Read. This. Book.
“Yes, I Am” by Norman Grubb. This is Grubb’s summary work, the final chapter in his life’s pursuit of the life of Christ lived in him. It is hard to imagine, but this volume goes even deeper than the book above, and explains not only what our God intends but steps one can take to be a part of His purpose and work.
“The Utter Relief of Holiness” by John Eldredge. Here is the case for surrendering to the indwelling God so that He can live His holiness in us. Eldredge has never disappointed, and his handling of this critical knowledge is very readable yet also very deep. A most practical book.
“The Two Covenants” by Andrew Murray. So many churches are stuck promoting the New Covenant in word, but promoting Old Covenant religiosity in practice. Most pastors have been taught that this is the way, although that is slowly giving way to being taught to “minister” using the ways of the world instead. Murray does an excellent job of comparing the two covenants. Along the way he shows the reader how important it is to leave the old behind to follow only the teachings of Christ and the apostles regarding true New Covenant faith.
“Absolute Surrender” by Andrew Murray. Absolute surrendering all aspects of one’s life to Christ is the only path to true discipleship. Few can make that case like Murray, who gives us the truth along with the steps to live it daily.
“Jesus Speaks” by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola. No list would be complete with at least one book by Viola. I could make a list of his books alone! Jesus is communicating to people and especially to His true disciples at all times. Most are not listening. These two authors will help you tune in to the “voice without words”
“A Guide to True Peace – The 1815 Edition” by William Backhouse and James Janson. These two British Quakers edited words from Jeanne Guyon, Miguel do Molinos, and Francios Fenelon into a great handbook for those seeking to experience deep communion and more continual conversation with the indwelling Spirit of Christ. The old Quakers knew much about this life, and these two share it well. Very readable in the edition with the introduction by Jim Wilson. The book in various editions has been in continuous publication for over 200 years, but this is the one to get.
“The Indwelling Life of Christ – All of Him in All of Me” by W. Ian Thomas. Ian Thomas, founder of the Capernwray Missionary Fellowship of Torchbearers, understood the New Covenant life in Christ, a life of abiding in a continual, conscious, conversational communion with the Spirit of Christ. It was his life mission to introduce people to this life. This book is a 50 day exploration of the “how-to” of the abiding life of communion.
Without Limit 
Thank you for this list! I have been getting a better understanding of the new covenant, am currently reading a book about it and am hungering for more. I have also been reminded in digging into Roman’s with my bible study how important surrender is so I might start with Absolute Surrender.
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Hi, Kara. Thanks for your kind words. Yes, starting with Murray is always a good idea, and this is a great and yet challenging read. Challenging because it challenges our self-will and self-directed living. Yet it is also quite readable. Let me know how it goes. The book was pivotal for me.
God bless you and your tribe!
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Yes, thanks Tim. I have not read them all so saving this list.
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Hi, Gary. It is a life-saving gift that these writers wrote for us. I treasure the gift, and I suspect you already do as well. Blessings, brother!
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Very much treasured. I have a small group of guys wanting to grow and buy my books in 2’s because when I quote out of a book I am reading, someone wants to read it after me so they make the rounds. It’s good to see that kind of deep hunger.
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Tim,
Thank you, dear friend, for this list. And the books I treasure so deeply! You said it best–there are many “self-help” books about Christianity. I have fallen “prey” to this type of “self-righteousness”. Please note, that I’m not talking about the good efforts of the writer, but my perception of my holiness! Intentionally, I am taking much time reading each morning after my devotion time. Just this morning, in a conversation with my twin and mom (to whom I send a courtesy text each morning letting them know “I’m here” since my cancer diagnosis), I shared Grubb’s words of “Man’s Basic Faculty” (I’m on chapter 5) and words about faith that hit my heart hard. I’ll try and sum it up in my simple words–but we are born to receive. As babes receiving air and nutrition–we have basic faith. All of us. Our Creator gives–his creation receives! Yes, we “drink” our righteousness and faith can hardly be seen as “work” because it’s so automatic–we just take! “Except ye become converted and become like little children, ye cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.” Grubbs stated, “Every iota of works, of self-effort, has to DISAPPEAR. In communion with the Spirit, the Word is flesh and REAL–it penetrates us ridding us of our righteousness and giving us the glorious replacement of Christ’s righteousness. And as John Eldridge shared, we can feel shame and think that’s conviction! We are told over and over, that feeling “guilty” (at least I was in the church led that way) is conviction but yet, does it make us RUN to God or create a tighter communion with the Spirit? For that which makes me want to chase the ONE pursuit (see what I did here? :-)–that is God speaking to me to get out of my “righteousness” and run to the only source of true hope, faith, and love! Jesus Christ! I can never be “good” enough–but I can sure grow in my communion with Christ and rest in HIM in the heavenly realms–that are definitely NOT off this world! Friend, you sharpen me and help my walk. I’m sorry for “sharing” so much here. This is like meeting all my friends in a study! A few experiences this week has led me to what I wrote above. In “speaking” to my audience on my blog, I try to use language that will attempt to share God’s love. Some will have a deeper walk and live in complete and utter dependence on God. May I, as a writer and follower of Christ, use the words and language that give others hope–not on THEMSELVES or our own power–but through our Creator of everything! Our omnipresent Savior! God bless you huge, Tim (and Rascal too!).
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Thanks for your kind and wise words, Karla! Yes, Norman Grubb “gets is,” as does Eldredge. Our God’s response to us, even in our sin moments, is intended to draws back into Him, not to cause us to move away in shame and guilt. Restoration is what our God desires, not retribution. So many believers are not close followers in part because they do not yet understand the giving, overwhelming love of our God toward us, the kind intention of His will toward, and His desire to inhabit us at all times by His Spirit.
The fear of the Lord, properly understood, draws us into Him even when we have failed Him in some way. To fear the Lord is not to be afraid of Him, but to fear being separated from Him in any way. Frank Viola has a great example:
“To use an analogy, imagine that you’re the passenger of a motorcycle that’s moving at high speed. The driver is perfect. So long as you have your arms around the driver, you’re safe. But if you let go of him, you’ll fall backward, hit the pavement, and your injuries might be severe. You aren’t afraid of the driver, per say. But if you’re smart, you’ll fear letting go of him. The wise thing is to trust him and never let go.”
When we understand how much our God loves us (can we ever fully understand this?), we will have a healthy fear as well, knowing that to let go of Him even for a moment makes no sense at all. How could we let go of such a giving, forgiving, empowering, indwelling lover of our souls? How could seek to try on our own to balance self living with “following Him” (a spiritual impossibility) when He has offered us His own life to be lived within us, but only in place of our own living?
I always appreciate the thoughtful comments from readers. Yours in particular. You are an earnest seeker of the divine life. That encourages me and many others, I am sure. God bless you both there!
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Thank you, Tim. Your response blessed my soul today. I’m going to quote you, “When we understand how much our God loves us (can we ever fully understand this?), we will have a healthy fear as well, knowing that to let go of Him even for a moment makes no sense at all. How could we let go of such a giving, forgiving, empowering, indwelling lover of our souls?” Amen, my friend! I can relate to Frank Viola’s words in many ways (I’ll have to share that with you another time, but I’m literally a motorcycle accident survivor –aged 36 when it occurred)! I’m so happy we’re on this journey “home” together! Finley says she is too! She’s had some appointments, immunizations, and check-ups. We’re both living on the love of God and doing our best to not let go! Blessings!!!
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