When You, Then God

Last updated on: January 6, 2021 at 11:00 am by Frank Viola

When You, Then God 2021-01-06T11:00:24-04:00 Frank Viola

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Rusty George has just released a new book called When You, Then God: 7 Things God is Waiting to Do in Your Life. I caught up with Rusty recently to discuss his new book.

Enjoy!

Instead of asking, “what is your book about,” I’m going to ask the question that’s behind that question. And that unspoken question is, “how are readers going to benefit from reading your book?”

Rusty George: I believe that people will feel the freedom to see the Bible as more than dos and don’ts and see it as an invitation for God to move in their lives to change them and the world around them.

Tell us a bit about the experiences that shaped the insights in the book.

Rusty George: I grew up in a fairly legalistic church and along the way developed a view of the Bible as a manual on how to somehow stay out of hell. That, coupled with being a rule follower and a list maker, set me up for a life of trying to make God happy. Unfortunately, it caused me to just resent God. After years of Bible college, seminary, and ministry, I realized one day that I didn’t love God . . . and I was convinced he didn’t love me. He couldn’t. I hadn’t accomplished everything his Word told me to do. This sent me on a journey to rediscover my faith.

Some people teach that salvation is free, but God’s blessing requires obedience. Do you agree with this idea? Please support your answer biblically.

Rusty George: I do. It seems to be what Paul is saying in Ephesians 2 when he says we were saved by grace, FOR good works. In my mind this was the turning point for me. For years I knew I was saved by grace, but I just didn’t know what to do with the works. If they don’t save me, then what’s the point? But understanding these good works as an invitation from God to partner with him changed everything. We are not saved by good works, but for good works. And these good works have been prepared in advance for us to do. The beauty of these works is that they are in partnership with God and come with an enormity of blessings.

Briefly share the 7 things that you believe God is waiting to do in our lives?

Rusty George: When you trust God’s love . . . then God will invite you to partner with him. When you walk with Jesus . . . then God will help you look like Jesus. When you show others kindness . . . then God will show them grace. When you invest in God’s Kingdom . . . then God will invest in yours. When you relax . . . then God will guide you. When you notice God . . . then God will reveal his presence. When you place your hope in God . . . then God will give you hope.

What do you say to the person who suggests you’re teaching that God is obligated to act if we do certain things?

Rusty George: I’m not saying anything that God isn’t. Time and time again he tells his people that when they do one thing, then he’ll do another. So he doesn’t appear to be concerned by the obligation.

In your circles, what do you see more of in the Christian world? Legalistic people (those trying to make God happy by their conduct and harshly judging others who don’t follow their personal standards of conviction) or libertarian people (those who use grace as a justification for living in the flesh)?

Rusty George: In my circles it has always been legalism. There is something enticing about it because it helps us keep score. We can see how we measure up against each other. The problem is we don’t measure up very well with God. This leaves us exhausted, depressed, and missing out on grace because it seems too good to be true.

What do you hope readers will walk away with after they finish your book?

Rusty George: That God really does love them and wants to partner with them to change the world around them and within them.

Order When You, Then God on discount

Uncategorized

Previous Post

March 24, 2016

Paul and Palestinian Judaism

Next Post

April 5, 2016 Impossible Love

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

James says that trials of many kinds test what, producing perseverance?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Your faith Your character Your love Your patience