In Him-You Are focuses on a simple truth: those who have put their faith in Christ have what it takes to live victoriously. Christ's followers are foremost children of God. The God of the universe treasures us. Our faith in Christ makes us complete “in Him” even though we struggle with faults and failures, habits and hang-ups, weaknesses and wants. The completeness that comes through Christ gives us a new perspective on everything. In Him, we experience an active love that propels us forward to living an abundant life marked by growth. In Him, we overcome the lies of Satan and live a life that glorifies God the Father. In Him, we trust God as provider learning to be content with what we have while living a generous life. In Christ we come into relationship with God the Father—who delights in us! This book calls its readers to accept an invitation to live the life God intended them to live—not based on past failures, but on the power of Christ that makes them new.
In Him-You Are uniquely blends the author's journey toward grace and recovery from religious legalism. Davis weaves together personal experience as a pastor and missionary with practical biblical wisdom. As one read stated, "Danny writes in a manner that makes readers feel as if they're sitting across from a friend who knows you, but, more importantly, knows who you can be."
My favorite chapter is "Identity" because it lays the foundation for who believers are in Christ. I loved writing this chapter because I saw once again just how much God loves me and made me a new creation through His Son.
The challenge with seeing yourself as a complete person lies in the inability to truly comprehend God’s foreknowledge. In other words, God can see the entirety of your life before you live it—you cannot. You and I live with partial knowledge concerning the totality of our lives. Life comes to us nanoseconds at a time. To speak of the future and the things we will accomplish is, at best, prognostication. God, on the other hand, speaks from the complete knowledge of our lives. We try to see the big picture. God is the big picture!
When faced with trials, you cannot understand the entirety of what God is working out. You must rest in the reality that God takes what was meant for evil and uses it for good (Rom 8:28). Just because you do not perceive the handiwork of God in your struggle does not mean a lack of faith; it is a lack of foreknowledge. Faith is perfected in the vacuum of limited understanding. Moving forward, despite not having all the details, is in itself a declaration of faith. Not knowing the future should not discourage you from obeying the Spirit’s leading. Instead, it should provoke you to grip the hand of God and confidently take the next step.
Victory comes as you wrestle with your inadequacies. Honestly grappling with the imperfections of your life through prayer and spiritual discipline helps you grow closer to God. Keep this in mind: God is not offended by your weaknesses! He is only offended when you fail to trust His amazing ability to forgive and use your weakness for His glory. The Apostle Paul reminds us over and over that his zealousness for the Law and devotion to the traditions did not empower him to overcome his weaknesses. He also reminds his readers that God’s grace working in them provides enough power to overcome human weaknesses (2 Cor 12:9-11).
Your completeness does not depend on your abilities, talent, or charisma but on having been born again into the kingdom of God. You are complete because you are His child! It really is that simple. You cannot say that about your earthly parents because they are sons of Adam just like you. However, for you and for them, Christ gave himself as the sacrifice, paying for your adoption into the family of God—an imperfectly perfect family. Stand fast when the enemy seeks to distort the image of who you are in Christ. You are not abandoned! You are not without hope! You are complete! Even in times of failure He is near. He is ready to forgive. He is ready to restore.