Are You Reading Under Law or Under Grace?

I have a fat file of booklists, recommended reading by people I respect who have read certain books I haven’t read yet, and I struggle with feeling inadequate because I haven’t checked off as many titles as they have. When I do read, I agonize. Should I read this title or that one? Why am I never satisfied? Why must I keep adding more? Why do I continually fail in my good intention to read certain classics, and how can I keep up with the latest great reads that everyone is talking about?

Are modern books as good as older ones that have stood the test of time? Am I reading living books or…twaddle?

When these questions burden me with guilt, I am trying to read under law instead of under grace.

Reading under law is void of delight.

I see what others are reading and add to my pile because I feel inadequate, like I’m falling short as a reader.

Who am I trying to please, anyway? Am I worried that I will fail to qualify as a book lover if I don’t read as many books, or a enough of the “right” books? That my fellow bibliophile will be disappointed in me?

Remember this: only one book is required.

The Reading Challenge is not a measure of glory. You don’t have to read all the books on our reading lists. We won’t be disappointed in you.

Enjoy the freedom of reading as a burden. Did Christ set us free from sin in order that we could impose our own literary obligations? Absolutely not!

I have a lot of people telling me what I ought to read, and I want to please them. It seems the right thing for our relationship, a shared experience, but what is the worst thing that might happen if I don’t?

I’ll tell you one thing that WON’T happen.

Christ will not be disappointed if I don’t make it through my reading stack.

My soul finds rest through His word alone.

More at Redeemed Reader:

I’ve loved Les Miserables since I first heard the Broadway music in high school…thirty years later I am finally within one hundred pages of finishing a very worthwhile, highly recommended book that will be transferred from the “burden” to the “blessing” stack. It doesn’t measure up to Scripture, but echoes its redemptive Truth with a Story and beautifully examines law and grace. Here are some of Janie’s thoughts:

Gladys Hunt has a wonderful list in her classic book Honey for a Child’s Heart! But she didn’t stop there. We are honored to have a collection of more of her writings at Redeemed Reader. Here’s one of her articles on books as friends.