NEW BOOK: From the Inside Out - A Simple Picture of Grace

At our Relational Mission UK summer festival, More Together, Mike Betts shared a picture that stuck with many: a Christian is like a bowl that is always clean on the inside, even if the outside looks a little messy. It’s simple, but it says a lot about the Christian life.

 
 

What the picture means

When someone trusts in Christ, God gives them a new nature. On the inside they are made alive, clean, and accepted. From there, grace goes to work on the outside: affecting habits, emotions, relationships, and even how we see ourselves.

The Christian life isn’t about trying harder to get everything right, but about letting God’s grace genuinely change us - from the inside out.

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

It is Mike’s desire to see every Christian walk increasingly in the freedom that this truth brings - and to that end, here are three questions and a simple practise that can help you apply it in your day-to-day life.

Three questions for this week

Use these for personal reflection or in your small group:

  • Where are you tempted to measure your worth by performance rather than by grace?

  • What truths about God’s love are easy to know in your head but harder to believe in your heart?

  • How might you rely on the Holy Spirit in one specific area of weakness this week?

A simple practise

Find a quiet space in your day and set a 5-minute timer

  • Thank God that, in Christ, you are clean on the inside

  • Name one area on the outside that feels messy, and ask for His grace to work there this week

  • End by asking the Holy Spirit for one small step to take in response

“The Christian life isn’t about trying harder to get everything right, but about letting God’s grace genuinely change us - from the inside out.”

Living free

Good intentions can fade into discouragement, especially if our plan is simply to “try harder.”

Grace offers something different. God renews the heart first, and from there reshapes how we live. It doesn’t ignore our behaviour; it transforms it, not through pressure or striving, but through freedom and security in Christ.

 

Want to explore more?

These themes and more are unpacked further in Mike Betts’ book From The Inside Out, which also includes a full study guide for groups and individuals.

Available worldwide on Amazon: bit.ly/insideout-mb

Mike Betts