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The Gospel in Ten Words
The good news may be the best news you never heard! The good news declares there is nothing you can do to make God forgive you, accept you, or favor you because all the blessings of heaven are freely yours in Christ Jesus. They are lavished upon you according to the riches of his grace.
At a time when many are hearing mixed messages about the love of God, The Gospel in Ten Words is a welcome reminder of the good news revealed by Jesus. It is an invitation to return to the unmixed and liberating gospel of the apostles.
This book will take you to the heavenly treasure rooms of grace and leave you awestruck at the stunning goodness of God. You will discover the secret to walking in divine favor and experiencing freedom in every aspect of your life. You will learn who you really are and why you were born. Best of all, you will come face to face with the One who has called you to the thrilling adventure of living loved.
At a time when many are hearing mixed messages about the love of God, The Gospel in Ten Words is a welcome reminder of the good news revealed by Jesus. It is an invitation to return to the unmixed and liberating gospel of the apostles.
This book will take you to the heavenly treasure rooms of grace and leave you awestruck at the stunning goodness of God. You will discover the secret to walking in divine favor and experiencing freedom in every aspect of your life. You will learn who you really are and why you were born. Best of all, you will come face to face with the One who has called you to the thrilling adventure of living loved.
172 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2012
66 people are currently reading
366 people want to read
About the author
Paul Ellis
25 books87 followersA scientist, scholar, and Bible smuggler, Dr. Paul Ellis is the award-winning author of books such as Letters from Jesus and The Silent Queen.
Paul pastored a multicultural church in Hong Kong for ten years and was a professor at a leading business school. Ranked as one of the world’s most prolific scholars in the field of international business, Paul writes regularly at escapetoreality.org and his latest project is thegracecommentary.com.
Paul lives with his wife and their four children in Auckland, New Zealand.
Paul pastored a multicultural church in Hong Kong for ten years and was a professor at a leading business school. Ranked as one of the world’s most prolific scholars in the field of international business, Paul writes regularly at escapetoreality.org and his latest project is thegracecommentary.com.
Paul lives with his wife and their four children in Auckland, New Zealand.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 23, 2015
What if the Gospel you heard in churches was a counterfeit Gospel? When If God loved you apart from your good deeds? What if the Gospel declares that it is not about your performance but the life of Christ? What if I told you that God can never be disappointed by you cause He knows everything about you and loves you the same? These and other controversial questions are answered in this poignant book about the Grace of God. I recall reading some blogs on Paul Ellis a couple of years ago. Not only has he opened my understanding about what the Gospel was but dismissed all the lies I have been taught growing up. I was a preachers kid who did all the right things: avoided sin, did not go to parties, tithe faithfully from my income, did not listen to secular music, etc. Yet none of these things left me fulfilled, but empty, worthless and ignored.
It was not until a few years back, that God began to transform my thinking about God. I received an epiphany from God who told me that He loved me unconditionally. Whether I disobeyed Him or not, whether I am listen to secular music or not, whether I went to church faithfully or not. Whether I sinned or not, His love was not dependent on my behavior but on His undying love. I let go of tradition and now I am swimming in the wonders of His grace. I am free to do whatever I please, knowing that He directs my steps and He guides my path. It is so assuring to know of His grace is not only for unbelievers but for believers as well.
These ten words such as union, acceptance, righteousness,love and holiness has really changed my perspective on what those words actually mean.
The Gospel declares that it is not invitation to accept Jesus:it is the stunning announcement that He accepts you!
It was not until a few years back, that God began to transform my thinking about God. I received an epiphany from God who told me that He loved me unconditionally. Whether I disobeyed Him or not, whether I am listen to secular music or not, whether I went to church faithfully or not. Whether I sinned or not, His love was not dependent on my behavior but on His undying love. I let go of tradition and now I am swimming in the wonders of His grace. I am free to do whatever I please, knowing that He directs my steps and He guides my path. It is so assuring to know of His grace is not only for unbelievers but for believers as well.
These ten words such as union, acceptance, righteousness,love and holiness has really changed my perspective on what those words actually mean.
The Gospel declares that it is not invitation to accept Jesus:it is the stunning announcement that He accepts you!
February 25, 2013
If only every person in the world would read this book so that they may hear the true good news of the gospel. There is so much religion and false teachings around which dilute or poison God's good news. A book for the hungry heart, thirsty soul and desperate seeker as well as the burdened down Christian who has been carrying a heavy load that God never intended when He sent Jesus to die. Well written, beautifully expressed and piercing straight to the heart.
February 11, 2013
Great book. The real gospel.
March 11, 2014
Very enjoyable read. Paul, in simple, childlike fashion, shares the good news of Christ's finished work on the cross by explaining ten words and how those words encapsulate the Gospel. Many people, even believers sadly spend their whole life not really tasting how good the Gospel really is. Paul does a great job of fixing that.
December 2, 2014
This is such a simple, easy to understand, uncovering of the truth. Paul Ellis has a powerful way with words and has forever changed the way I see the life I have in Christ. Why haven't we heard this our whole lives?
January 9, 2013
Short sweet and to the point! Great read and very encouraging.
March 1, 2023
GENRE
Non-fiction Christian
BASIC SYNOPSIS
A book stressing the importance of grace over works. The 10 words are Loved, Forgiven, Saved, Union, Accepted, Holy, Righteous, Die, New, and Royal. Each word has its own short chapter about how you are that thing without any effort on your part.
MY THOUGHTS
I think this book is both necessary and dangerous depending on the reader. For a downtrodden person, wracked with guilt and an anxiety-inducing level of responsibility, this may be just what they need to hear to relax and trust in God. However, for a selfish and arrogant person who lacks a fear response, this is a ticket for psychopathy with impunity. Of course, most people are neither extreme, so the book will be varying levels of helpfulness or harmfulness.
Some specific issues I have with the book are as follows:
The author creates arguments where there are none. For example, he says the confession of sins before one can receive forgiveness implies that your confession is a payment, and therefore that forgiveness is not free with that mindset, and likens it to offering naval lint as payment for a free mansion. This is not an argument normal people have. I suspect this is more the realm of bored philosophers.
The plain way of looking at it is if you don’t confess, then what are you being forgiven for? For someone who thinks they’ve done nothing wrong, they can’t receive forgiveness because they think there is nothing to forgive. The confession is not a way of paying God for forgiveness, it’s just a way to open yourself up to receive the forgiveness. I can’t believe anyone is actually thinking of confession as payment. A better argument would be Hail Marys. That is striving to pay for forgiveness.
Similarly forgiving others so that you can be forgiven is also not a form of paying for your forgiveness. If you can’t forgive others, your resentment blocks you from truly believing that you can be forgiven. Forgiving others is for you, for your benefit, not a means of paying God to forgive you.
Another point that bothers me is when the author says nothing you do can please or displease God. This is unbiblical. We’ve seen how God was brought to wrath in the Bible over people sacrificing their children. This type of thing ‘displeases’ him to put it mildly, and God is the same God now as he was then.
Even by the author’s own logic, there’s an incompatibility here - Earlier in the book, the author uses the analogy of parenthood, saying that your child’s bad behaviour does not mean they stop being your child, so likewise, your bad behaviour does not mean you lose your salvation. Fair enough, but why then is this analogy not continued? Parents can take pleasure or displeasure in their children’s behaviour, so if God is like a parent, why wouldn’t the behaviour of his children matter to him?
I imagine God is very displeased when he sees his children committing crimes and behaving like the world instead of like Christians, and likewise, I imagine it pleases him greatly when Christians follow the 2 most important mandates given by Jesus himself - to love God and to love your fellow man.
Lastly, I also vehemently disagree with the author saying that ‘resisting’ is the Old Testament way of dealing with sin, and that the better way is to pretend the thought didn’t even exist and instead think of positive things.
Not only is this unbiblical…because the New Testament tells us to resist the devil…but from a psychological point of view, that is dangerous. As someone who has had to deal with severe anxiety in the past, I can tell you that trying to ignore your thoughts is the road to eventual breakdown.
Cognitive behavioural therapy dictates that we address NATs (negative automatic thoughts) because ignoring them heightens anxiety. Just like the Paul in the bible also tells us to take every thought captive. We MUST resist the lies of the devil and fight back with scripture.
Non-fiction Christian
BASIC SYNOPSIS
A book stressing the importance of grace over works. The 10 words are Loved, Forgiven, Saved, Union, Accepted, Holy, Righteous, Die, New, and Royal. Each word has its own short chapter about how you are that thing without any effort on your part.
MY THOUGHTS
I think this book is both necessary and dangerous depending on the reader. For a downtrodden person, wracked with guilt and an anxiety-inducing level of responsibility, this may be just what they need to hear to relax and trust in God. However, for a selfish and arrogant person who lacks a fear response, this is a ticket for psychopathy with impunity. Of course, most people are neither extreme, so the book will be varying levels of helpfulness or harmfulness.
Some specific issues I have with the book are as follows:
The author creates arguments where there are none. For example, he says the confession of sins before one can receive forgiveness implies that your confession is a payment, and therefore that forgiveness is not free with that mindset, and likens it to offering naval lint as payment for a free mansion. This is not an argument normal people have. I suspect this is more the realm of bored philosophers.
The plain way of looking at it is if you don’t confess, then what are you being forgiven for? For someone who thinks they’ve done nothing wrong, they can’t receive forgiveness because they think there is nothing to forgive. The confession is not a way of paying God for forgiveness, it’s just a way to open yourself up to receive the forgiveness. I can’t believe anyone is actually thinking of confession as payment. A better argument would be Hail Marys. That is striving to pay for forgiveness.
Similarly forgiving others so that you can be forgiven is also not a form of paying for your forgiveness. If you can’t forgive others, your resentment blocks you from truly believing that you can be forgiven. Forgiving others is for you, for your benefit, not a means of paying God to forgive you.
Another point that bothers me is when the author says nothing you do can please or displease God. This is unbiblical. We’ve seen how God was brought to wrath in the Bible over people sacrificing their children. This type of thing ‘displeases’ him to put it mildly, and God is the same God now as he was then.
Even by the author’s own logic, there’s an incompatibility here - Earlier in the book, the author uses the analogy of parenthood, saying that your child’s bad behaviour does not mean they stop being your child, so likewise, your bad behaviour does not mean you lose your salvation. Fair enough, but why then is this analogy not continued? Parents can take pleasure or displeasure in their children’s behaviour, so if God is like a parent, why wouldn’t the behaviour of his children matter to him?
I imagine God is very displeased when he sees his children committing crimes and behaving like the world instead of like Christians, and likewise, I imagine it pleases him greatly when Christians follow the 2 most important mandates given by Jesus himself - to love God and to love your fellow man.
Lastly, I also vehemently disagree with the author saying that ‘resisting’ is the Old Testament way of dealing with sin, and that the better way is to pretend the thought didn’t even exist and instead think of positive things.
Not only is this unbiblical…because the New Testament tells us to resist the devil…but from a psychological point of view, that is dangerous. As someone who has had to deal with severe anxiety in the past, I can tell you that trying to ignore your thoughts is the road to eventual breakdown.
Cognitive behavioural therapy dictates that we address NATs (negative automatic thoughts) because ignoring them heightens anxiety. Just like the Paul in the bible also tells us to take every thought captive. We MUST resist the lies of the devil and fight back with scripture.
January 9, 2022
This book presents a truth that is seldom fully understood, and less often taught by many spiritual leaders.
This is as clear a presentation of the gospel of grace as you will find.
Put me rather in mind of Danny Silk's book, 'UNpunishable'
I would love every Christian to read Paul's book - with this in mind.
All of God's truths arrive as a paradox when fully understood. Two truths that seem opposites to the human mind. Yet we must to maintain balance accept both as true, in their 'extremes'
To return to this book, it is true! It is a wonderful truth that will set you free from a 'performance' mentality. But, I believe it is possible to miss the other side of the coin. As Christians we do have responcibilies to act uprightly and serve sacrificially (and I am sure Paul Ellis will agree)
This is as clear a presentation of the gospel of grace as you will find.
Put me rather in mind of Danny Silk's book, 'UNpunishable'
I would love every Christian to read Paul's book - with this in mind.
All of God's truths arrive as a paradox when fully understood. Two truths that seem opposites to the human mind. Yet we must to maintain balance accept both as true, in their 'extremes'
To return to this book, it is true! It is a wonderful truth that will set you free from a 'performance' mentality. But, I believe it is possible to miss the other side of the coin. As Christians we do have responcibilies to act uprightly and serve sacrificially (and I am sure Paul Ellis will agree)
August 1, 2019
What a Revelation!
Life changing book on the miracle of grace that Jesus did for us in it's fullest sense through His death & resurrection. Paul pulls back the layers of deception formed by religion to reveal the truth that sets us free to be all God has invited us to in relationship with Him!
Life changing book on the miracle of grace that Jesus did for us in it's fullest sense through His death & resurrection. Paul pulls back the layers of deception formed by religion to reveal the truth that sets us free to be all God has invited us to in relationship with Him!
October 11, 2019
Very good. Easy read. Pointed out what Grace is and all Christ gave us through grace. Also explains the authority we have in Christ because of grace. We are the righteousness of God and this book explains what all this means and shows how organized religion has missed explaining the freedom we have through the gift of grace that Christ has provided.
December 14, 2025
This is the real gospel. Short and to the point. And, this book makes sense. It can change a person's mind about Jesus Christ and who he really is. This was a wonderful and eye opening read for me.
September 26, 2019
God be like "I make thee!" and it just happens
November 2, 2019
Life changing
February 5, 2020
Great read!
Easy and humorous writing that still delivers and explains the gospel.
Easy and humorous writing that still delivers and explains the gospel.
September 10, 2021
Incredible and a must read. God has already done it!
March 15, 2023
I could not rush this book. It was given to me by a good friend and it was well worth the read!
January 12, 2019
The plain explanation of the Gospel
This book is a clear explanation of the true Gospel and what Christ has done through the cross we are made to be the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I recommend this as a must read to everyone.
This book is a clear explanation of the true Gospel and what Christ has done through the cross we are made to be the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I recommend this as a must read to everyone.
September 20, 2012
Very good. Easy read. Pointed out what Grace is and all Christ gave us through grace. Also explains the authority we have in Christ because of grace. We are the righteousness of God and this book explains what all this means and shows how organized religion has missed explaining the freedom we have through the gift of grace that Christ has provided.
May 15, 2013
This is an excellent book about the simple good news of Christianity. We're all tempted to muddy the waters and add to what God has done, but this book reminds us that Christianity is not about what we can do. It is about what God has done.
July 31, 2013
This book is truly wonderful! (My only gripe is trivial - it irritates me that if the author is living in New Zealand and the book published there, why oh why is it written in American? That seems to trivialise everything some how.)
May 7, 2013
Well... This started out great! But for a book called : " The Gospel in Ten Words" it used a lot of words to say the same thing over and over again!
February 28, 2013
Great book!
April 25, 2013
A good reminder of the gospel of grace, often forgotten in the church.
October 15, 2013
This book helped me a lot in understanding the grace of God. Full of revelation.
December 18, 2016
Life-giving
A week written, fantastic, life-giving and joyful explanation of the revelation of God's gift of grace. Read and be blessed!
A week written, fantastic, life-giving and joyful explanation of the revelation of God's gift of grace. Read and be blessed!
January 9, 2017
A refreshing read
June 13, 2015
Yeah, I know, it's been 2 yrs since I finished this book; however, I I'll review it SOON.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews