The Lies We Believe

The latest book from John Mark Comer is a strategic reminder for believers to be suspect of the lies we believe and an invitation into the finished work of Jesus, and the truth for all of life. 

Any time the founding-pastor-turned-monastic-community-builder releases a book there is a certain segment of Christendom, the hip, coastal, artisan coffee segment, that kicks up the dust in excitement. And since I like to do ministry among some of this set I thought it wise to take up and read. 

To be honest, I always approach Comer with sinful cynicism. Maybe 12 years ago now I heard a talk were he went hard against Calvinists, which I believe myself to be, so everything is grain-of-salt for me. Of course I don’t want people to judge me for things I said candidly a decade ago, but I want you to know how I approach Comer as an author! Another reason, perhaps related to the first, is in his works that I have read I have always felt like Jesus and his finished work for us was either assumed or absent as a motivator for the life he calls us to. I was even pretty hard on Comer’s popular book on the elimination of hurry. I read it on vacation on a beach in a foreign country so I was doing the Sabbath bit, but felt like it was a tome for the affluent and the gospel was never interacted with as a reason why we can rest. After all, Jesus did invite those in need of rest (all of us) to come to him and find it! 

I had my attention focused to find these same errors or lack in Comer’s new book but was pleased that I didn’t find them. He even quotes Calvin (as if that matters!) and closes the book with an appeal to Christ. 

Live No Lives is timely for the church because it challenges us with the fact that we are inclined to believe things untrue and real life is on the other side of the battle with three key enemies. 

“For centuries, teachers of the Way of Jesus used a paradigm that’s been lost in the modern era, that of “the three enemies of the soul.”

The world.

The flesh.

And the devil.”

Comer works through these enemies of the soul and give the reader clues on reclaiming and finding truth. He remains faithful to Scripture throughout, even while the lure of popularity would advise not writing of some subjects, and he hits on disciplines as a anchor against the world, flesh and devil. 

This is a thoughtful and expansive book (not in length but in depth). And I think it would be a helpful tool in discipleship in the church. And perhaps that is why I found Live No Lies to be so worthwhile. Comer highlights the church as essential for our following the way of Christ. This is not a book that leaves a believer as an individual but calls all of us to a flourish community running after Jesus together and waging battle against the lies that attempt to derail us. 

So take up and read Live No Lies. If will confront you, encourage you, and give you the hope of Christ to cling to the truth.