Unleashed {Review}

Do you want to live an abundant life filled with the Holy Spirit's power?  Do you want to learn the keys to a sanctified life? Do you want help in the journey of spiritual growth?

Then Eric Mason's latest book, Unleashed, is for you. 

Mason looks deeply into the sanctification process in this book. He addresses the biblical components to growing as a follower of Christ. And he does so in a way that is approachable and gospel-centered and encouraging.

Mason splits up the book into ten chapters. Each one deals with a specific aspect of sanctification and spiritual growth. I found each of these topics to address sanctification in really wonderful ways. 

Chapter 1:  Gospel Growth
Chapter 2:  The Holy Spirit's Role in Our Growth
Chapter 3:  Faith and Repentance
Chapter 4: Grown by the Word of God
Chapter 5:  Prayer
Chapter 6:  The Role of Suffering in Sanctification
Chapter 7:  Strongholds:  Unleashed from the Hindrances to Growth
Chapter 8:  Marriage and Spiritual Growth
Chapter 9:  The Local Church and Spiritual Growth
Chapter 10:  Conclusion:  When It's All Said and Done

Here are some of my favorite quotes from Unleashed:

"Sanctification is the victorious struggle. Victorious in that Jesus has secured our sanctification, but a struggle in that we are called to be active pursuers of holiness." (page 1)

"For the life of the believer, there is no other priority but to look like Jesus." (page 14)

"Repentance is both edifying and evangelistic, ministerial and missional, worship and a witness." (page 47)

"We can't appreciate Jesus Christ if we don't appreciate what He came to fulfill. So to appreciate the law is to revere Jesus. The law makes us see our need for mercy and transformation through the gospel. As we see our need for mercy it drives us to the gospel. In Christ the law instructs us in righteousness under the New Covenant." (page 63)

​"Prayer is not the dictation of our will to God, but our alignment with His will. Prayer is used by God to grow us, because as we spend time in prayer, God melts us and molds us into His Son's image." (page 88)

"Expect this suffering to come, but also expect God to work. Be encouraged that God has counted you worthy to suffer for His name's sake." (page 101)

"The more we go through, the stronger in the Lord we become." (page 105)

"What makes the gospel narrative of our lives so great is not anything that we have done, but all that He has done." (page 123)

"You cannot ignore your past and expect for your life to be different. You must face your past with the gospel." (page 128)

"When couples are feasting on Jesus, they approach marriage with the constant reality of their need for Jesus and His work for the marriage partnership to be a community of conformity....Spirit-filled Christianity is the power source for a healthy marriage." (page 140)

"You will never fully unleash the transformative, Spirit-empowered power of gospel growth in your life apart from a proper understanding and love of the local church." (page 155)

I've never read one of Mason's books before, so this was my introduction into his writing style. He writes with more of an academic style, using block quotes and referencing many theologians and theological phrases. But I enjoy that kind of writing, and I always appreciate someone who is learning from others and points the reader to other books and authors to learn more about the subject. Sometimes his transitions can be a bit abrupt when he turns from a quick story and relates it to the broader vision the section he is talking about. But other than that I found Unleashed to be a great read. 

My favorite aspect of Unleashed is how Mason focuses on how the Lord is the one who works out our sanctification; we cannot be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ without the Holy Spirit. 

Overall, Unleashed was both challenging and encouraging, and in my opinion that's exactly what is needed for a book on this topic. This book will help you in your journey towards reflecting Jesus, and it will benefit any believer. Unleashed is a reminder of the power of the Holy Spirit, our mission as followers of Jesus, and the amazing grace of God that saves us and sustains us. 

Follow Eric Mason on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 
And check out his website here.

And you can buy the book here!
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*Disclaimer:  I was given this book by the publisher for an honest review.*