Grace and Forgiveness: Learning to Give the Gift of Forgiveness to Others and Ourselves

by Carol Arnott

In this book John and Carol Arnott show us how the topics of grace and forgiveness are seamlessly intertwined. We can only truly understand grace once we understand God's love towards us. But once we grasp the fundamentals of His love and grace, then we must come to understand that forgiveness is an essential, non-negotiable element of life in Christ.

This is a book that teaches us how to live in grace and practice forgiveness regularly, and it also warns us of the dangers of trying to execute "justice" ourselves when people wound us. Throughout the book we read the amazing testimonies of those who decided to leave justice in the hands of God and live in grace, forgiving those who had hurt them, and we see that freedom and healing, sometimes physical, is the result.

Genres: Christian, Christian Non Fiction

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Mary]

This book is great for understanding and receiving grace and forgiveness. John and Carol also have CD's for those who enjoy audio. I play them over and over as a reminder of the importance of forgiveness.....

[RJ Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short book and easy read. I actually didn't enjoy the first half of this book that much, however I found the last half (written by his wife) to be life-changing. Thus the 5 stars. I've ordered copies to give to friends.

[Teresa Dubyoski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book has so much wisdom in it. I highly recommend going through it with fellow believers because the conversations that were inspired by what we read in the book each week were life changing. Most people within our group reading this book had grown up in the church, but we agreed we had never so thoroughly learned about the application of forgiveness and its importance to our own spiritual well being. We also incorporated teachings from “the bait of satan”, which is as equally important as this book, just longer and a little more drawn out. It was helpful to read them in tandem.

[Phillip · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the first third or so, I judged that the author not very worth reading (yes, “judged,” I realize the irony now). But because of the person who gave it to me, I decided to finish it—and I’m sure glad I did! Really rich explications or what it really means to forgive, implications for what that means for us, and enlightening stories of the authors & others that flesh it out. If you can get over the occasional sloppy (not well proofread?) sentence, the content is well worth your while.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to be free from our past traumas and from the bitterness and resentments

I give this book 5 stars because it is clearly written and easy to read, yet it deals with an issue that bugs half of us. The problem of living in resentments and unforgiveness leaves us prone to sickness and mental issues. Worse still it blocks God's forgiveness of our own sins and failings. I highly recommend this book to help setting yourself (even if you think you are free already.

[Trevor Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little book which challenges us to move from the justice level (which is good) to the grace level (which is better). It is living by love rather than law. By mercy rather than by judgement. This involves in dealing with unforgiveness in our own heart. And to forgive ourselves, so not staying in condemnation. Learning to forgive others in grace rather than to exercise even legitimate judgement is a key to living in freedom.

[Trisha Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is much easier to tell someone how to forgive than to actually forgive someone. Believe you me I know this from personal experiences and being a friend of the Arnotts I know that they also do. If you are struggling with this this book praying the prayers of forgiveness will actually be a catalyst to help free you.

[Shirley Stromberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for true freedom in every area

This is such a well written easy to understand book. The concept are plainly laid out and there are prayers too so that people can get the freedom they want and need. Forgiveness must be given to walk in grace that's all there is to it... the application is the journey.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short yet helpful book

This book gave me a different viewpoint on forgiveness than other books I have read on this subject. It educated me on the link between unforgiveness and judgment, plus the soul ties a person has to a perpetrator. Now I have direction on what to do next in my forgiveness journey.

[Kira McDermeit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is AMAZING! Short, powerful and convicting. I believe every person, especially those fresh to the Lord but truly every person, should read this book and encounter the Lord. Forgiveness is a mighty tool the Lord uses to meet with His children and I pray all would experience it! This is my second time reading it and it remains profound!

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Book! Absolutely life transforming!

[Kyani Heessels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, it's short but it's filled with gold. It has great insight into forgiveness and letting go of judgements and the effects of (not) doing it.

[Misty Eagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very encouraging and knowledgeable about Grace and forgiveness!!!

I have ordered 3 hard backs of this book to give away as a gift one being my own mother. Thank you for sharing.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book challenged me a lot. It is a book I will keep coming back to, and re read over & over.

[Ireh Nam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

I love john & carol arnott
They are huge
But their steps are so trivial
That's why I can't forget when i saw john's eyes

[Debbie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple but effective book on the power of grace and forgiveness. This book could literally change your life!

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very short book, but powerful. I have read it several times. I believe forgiveness is essential for healthy relationships and for our own mental and physical health.

[Brian Nish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgive everyone and yourself

I liked the personal testimony of Carols struggles with her mother and how God enabled total healing for both of them.

[Mike Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really simple but immensely helpful. How the whole words needs to learn to forgive, and do it daily...

[Allison Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend if you’re working through forgiveness or lack there of. Grace and mercy and peace are mentioned heavily here. I can’t say I’ve read a better collection of stories and scriptures so explain the what, how and why of forgiveness.

[Valerie Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

The editing was pretty bad in the beginning and I had to re-read many sentences to figure out where the commas belonged. This really bothered me for the remainder of the book. Also, even though it's already short, I think it could have been half the length. They seem to talk about the same things over and over again.

[Jean-Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the typical book that would choose to write a review of, mostly because it's not the typical kind of book I would choose to read. My aunt Margo purchased this for me as a gift along with another book which I have not yet when I attended my cousin's wedding two years ago. I can honestly say that the message of this book is rather edifying and positive. Plus the book is barely 80 pages long so it doesn't take long to get through. The cover includes the blurb: "Learning to give the gift of forgiveness to others and ourselves." It is important to be able to forgive the past and be able to move on with our lives. Holding grudges poisons the individual who feels wronged much more than the individual who did the wronging. It's a hard lesson and one which I'm still trying to fully learn. I do recommend this book for anyone who has hatred in their heart or a grudge against another. If you'll excuse the fact that a recent movie has forever tainted the sentiment, "let it go."

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only 3 stars because it took me ages to get into this and it was only towards the end that I truly "enjoyed" it. Carol's real-life stories spoke more to me than anything.

[Frank Suí · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book will change your life if you simply read it and do it.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covered a very difficult subject very sensitively and thoroughly.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explained how forgiveness and unforgiveness has an impact on me in a way that I had never understood before. This book is very challenging if you allow it to challenge you. The content of this book is a key to further grasping how to be free in the Kingdom of God.

[Rueben Rosalez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have many problems with some of the things written in this book. Foremost has to be when the authors claim to, "give permission to the Holy Spirit."(p. 57) Regardless of these things I find a lot of usefulness in this book. Forgiveness is very key in the life and walk of Christians, however, I also feel the authors come uncomfortably close to saying that God will work wonders and miracles in your life if you simply start forgiving folks. To be sure, God grants His forgiveness and that is far greater than any earthly gift we could possibly imagine. On more than one occasion the authors tell stories of falling from grace into judgment, and of Satan having the "legal right to bring all kinds of things against you." (p.68) These are concepts in which I disagree strongly with the authors but nevertheless, I appreciate how deep this book goes in explaining how liberating forgiveness can be. I would like to give a 2 1/2 star rating if possible, since I cannot, I will go with 3.