God Impulse

For Jesus, truth and mercy went hand in hand. Where he preached he also healed. He didn't outsource one or the other to biblical scholars or nonprofit ministries. He presented the truth of the gospel through his words and his actions, and he did it all in a hands-on, relational way. And the reaction was the same wherever he went--people were amazed.Today we seem to have lost this powerful pattern of self-giving love, focusing on truth at the expense of mercy or on mercy at the expense of truth, and often failing to build genuine, lasting relationships with the people around us.In The God Impulse, Jack Alexander helps us recover Jesus's model, showing through biblical and modern real-life stories that God's first impulse toward us is mercy. He then sets forth a pattern for us to follow--to see, go, do, and endure--that not only spreads truth and love to those around us who are suffering but also causes them to gasp in amazement and consider the claims of the gospel for themselves. From the Inside Flap Have we missed the one thing that has the power to bring relief, hope, and healing to our hurting world?Spend even a few minutes scrolling through your newsfeed and you will be bombarded by stories of disenfranchisement, disconnection, and discontent. God's first impulse toward our broken world was to show mercy--even when justice was justified--and Jesus has invited us to "go and do likewise."The secret of Jesus's powerful ministry was combining mercy and truth in the context of relationships. This is the model that changed the world. In everything he did, Jesus brought hope and healing through a pattern of love--see, go, do, and endure--that we are called to emulate.The God Impulse shows you practical ways you can live out this pattern in your own life, enabling you to experiencepeace and joy as you partner with God in His mission of mercyhealing in broken relationshipsthe opening of your heart to those around youa new way to engage social justice issuesthe rewards God promises to those who show mercyJack Alexander is chairman of The Reimagine Group and senior fellow at The Sagamore Institute. Author of The God Guarantee,he is a previous recipient of an Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year Award and is a regular speaker, coach, and advisor. He and his wife, Lisa, live in Atlanta. They have three grown sons and five grandchildren. From the Back Cover "Jack draws a straight line from the lack of teaching and underrepresentation of biblical mercy in the church to the lack of love so many feel from the church. He reminds us that true healing, justice, and reconciliation begin with the impulse of mercy toward our neighbors and enemies. I heartily recommend this book."--Dr. Timothy Keller, pastor emeritus and founder, Redeemer Presbyterian Church; chairman, Redeemer City to City"Jack reminds us that while God is often portrayed in culture as a harsh and distant master, he is in fact a loving father who longs to grow closer to us--and for us to show mercy to one another."--Andy Stanley, author, communicator, and founder of North Point Ministries "The God Impulse unpacks the meaning of true mercy as Jesus taught and ultimately modeled it. In these pages, Jack provides a master class that is inspiring, simple, and very practical--and that every one of us needs."--Shaunti Feldhahn, social researcher, speaker, and bestselling author of For Women Only, For Men Only, and The Kindness Challenge"This book is worth reading! It's a revolutionary lens on life, the character of God, spiritual formation, and the church that will provoke the kind of deep reflection and evaluation that always precede significant life change."--Chip Ingram, teaching pastor, Living on the Edge; author of The Real God: How He Longs for You to See Him"The God Impulse takes us on a journey through the rich, wonderful, transforming power of mercy. Throughout the book, Jack reminds us that mercy is more than a sentimen