Want to know who you are in Christ? This is your book! Packed full of deep truths, yet a very enjoyable read!

This is in my top 5 favorite books! I usually only read a few pages at a time and it's enough to fill me with things to ponder and be in awe of our Savior.

The message of Ephesians jumps off the page in new ways as I read it side by side with this book. Alive in Him is like a commentary of sorts but full of references to old and New Testament scripture, details about what things mean and also personal illustrations and application. The author dissects the book of Ephesians topic by topic going through the book of Ephesians in small sections. She explains practically speaking how it should impact our lives. I have a much better picture of not only what Paul was trying to say to the Ephesians but also how this impacts me as a believer today. So very practical and applicable. This book will be read and reread. The depth of information is astounding. It is presented in a way that's easy to understand. Reading this book has really helped me process who I am in Christ and what's a God has done for me. Some great times of meditation and worship have resulted.

"Alive in Him" is a thematic study of Ephesians. Rather than studying Ephesians verse-by-verse, the author took a section at a time and explored its theme. She assumed you will read the text in your Bible before reading this book. The first half is about what Christ has accomplished through the cross, and the second half is about how we can walk in the light of that reality. I liked how she pulled verses in from other parts of the Bible to help us better understand the points made in Ephesians.

While the author is very enthusiastic about the topics covered, this is a dense book as she didn't use many stories to illustrate her points. I normally prefer this style, but there were times I'd have to re-read sentences and was still left unsure exactly what she meant. It sounded profound but needed more or clearer explanation. Overall, though, I enjoyed this study of Ephesians.

I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

In "Alive in Him," Gloria Furman brings her readers on a journey to uncover the deep spiritual truths found in the book of Ephesians. Furman argues that the primary theme of Ephesians is that Jesus Christ is the one who unites all things in Himself both in the present age and in the age to come. Moreover, this theme unfolds with the first three chapters describing the basis of our new identity in Christ and the last three chapters addressing how to live out our new humanity in the light of the gospel. Instead of a verse-by-verse analysis, Furman chooses to focus on the major themes in each chapter thereby allowing readers to appreciate Ephesians as one cohesive letter as it was originally intended. The most important point that Furman makes is that everything in the universe has been subjected to Christ who will one day come and finally unite all things in Himself. When we view all things with this mindset, we gain great comfort and confidence that no matter what happens to us, victory has been secured through Jesus. We who were spiritually dead have now been raised through the same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead and now inherit all the spiritual blessings that belong to Him. Furthermore, with Christ as the head, those who are redeemed, regardless of race, nationality, or class, are now one united body that wars against Satan through God's Word and the Holy Spirit.

I would recommend this book to all those who want to be introduced or re-introduced to the magnificence of Christ and His gospel. I personally love the book of Ephesians very much and Furman has further ignited my appreciation of the vastness and depth of the gospel truths found in this epistle. Even though we were enemies of God, we are now adopted members of His household through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Because of our new identity purchased through the blood of Jesus, we can find peace and assurance in life's most difficult trials or most trivial moments. Not only has Christ defeated Satan, sin, and death on the cross, He continues to subject all things under His feet until He returns. Moreover, He does not leave us helpless as we wait for His return but gives us His Spirit to protect, teach, and guide us on our paths towards holiness and spiritual maturity.

In compliance with Federal Trade Commission regulations, I was provided a review copy of this book from Crossway.