Category Archives: NavPress

Transforming Grace by Jerry Bridges

Posted on July 13, 2010 | Leave a comment

Transforming Grace: Living Confidently in God’s Unfailing Love

Jerry Bridges

NavPress

According to Jerry Bridges, most Christians agree that salvation is by grace, but  “seem to believe success in the Christian life…is basically up to us….We give lip service to the attitude of the apostle Paul, ‘But by the grace of God I am what I am’ (1 Corinthians 15:10), but our unspoken motto is, ‘God helps those who help themselves.’” This attitude is one that Bridges sets out to correct in his book, Transforming Grace, which is a thorough examination of how God’s grace works in the life of a believer after salvation.

Bridges begins, in his warm and pastoral style, by convincing readers that they can do nothing to warrant God’s favor. His blessings and rewards are not earned through “merits.” Nor are they forfeited through “demerits.” “Grace does not take into account merits or demerits at all. Rather, grace considers all men and woman as totally undeserving and unable to do anything to earn the blessing of God.” Realizing this, says the author, will free believers from living on a “performance treadmill,” where they feel in and out of God’s favor depending upon how they measure up to standards set by themselves or others. The key is to remember that “Jesus Christ has already paid for every blessing [Christians] will ever receive from God the Father.”

As legalism is the opposite of living by grace, Bridges takes an in-depth look at its various forms. To the extent that Christians see God’s favor as connected to their performance, whether they feel that they have obligated God through their “faithfulness,” or that they have fallen out of grace through their failure, they are thinking like legalists. This performance mentality leads to another form of legalism: the attempt to conform to (or judge others according to) man-made religious requirements and rules, which can be especially harmful to the Christian life. I find Bridges’ handling of legalism particularly helpful. Though I already knew that I tend toward legalism, he helped me see it in greater depth and in areas where I have failed to see it before, both in my judging of myself and others. That, for me, was the greatest benefit of reading Transforming Grace.

Those familiar with Bridges’ most popular book, The Pursuit of Holiness, know that, despite his unfailing emphasis on grace, he always insists on the Lordship of Christ and obedience to His laws. Lest one doesn’t realize that, he makes it clear in this book. “Anyone who thinks, Since God’s love is not conditioned on my obedience, I am free to live as I please, is not living by grace, nor does he understand grace.” God’s grace always results in love for His laws and a desire to obey them. This obedience, however, is motivated by the love of Christ, not the desire for reward or the fear of punishment.

Though Bridges makes application throughout all thirteen chapters of his book, the last two are most practical. Chapter twelve deals with the “four principal means” of appropriating God’s grace: “prayer, His Word, submission to His providential workings in our lives, and the ministry of others.” And chapter thirteen, “Garments of Grace,” focuses on character traits that result from and display God’s grace in the life of a believer: gratitude, contentment, humility, forbearance, and forgiveness. These two chapters wrap up the discussion to make for a very balanced book.

Transforming Grace, like Bridges’ other books, is well written and easy to follow. The author takes the time to explain the most basic concepts. New Christians, or those who have yet to be introduced to the truth of grace, would benefit from this book. But there’s plenty of substance for those who want it. New Christian or not, this isn’t a book to rush through. There’s something to provoke deep thought and reflection on every page. I find this book very helpful, both as devotional reading and a practical guide to Christian living, and I highly recommend it.

I received a review copy of this book through the NavPress Blogger Review Program.

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Posted in Book Reviews, Jerry Bridges, NavPress

Why I Keep Going Back to Jerry Bridges

Posted on July 4, 2010 | Leave a comment

Thanks to the NavPress Blogger review program, I’ve had the chance to read three titles by Jerry Bridges this year. Bridges’ writing speaks to me. The book I’m reading now, Transforming Grace, is exactly what I’ve been needing. Here are some samples:

Neither our merits nor our demerits determine how much grace we need, because grace does not supplement merits or make up for demerits. Grace does not take into account merits or demerits at all. Rather, grace considers all men and women as totally undeserving and unable to do anything to earn the blessing of God. (pg. 35)

Have you started to understand that regardless of how ‘bad’ you’ve been or how many times you’ve committed the same sin, God completely and freely forgives you because of Christ? Do you see that, because God has already dealt with your sins in Christ, you do not have to do penance or fulfill some probationary term before God can bless you or use you again? (pg. 46)

Those eleventh-hour workers (Matt. 20:1-16) were hired because they needed to receive a day’s wages. They had been standing all day waiting for someone to hire them so they could earn money to support their families. They needed to work more than the landowner needed their work. He hired them, not because of his need, but because of their need. He represents God in His gracious awareness of our needs and His continuous work to meet them. God calls us to serve Him, not because He needs us, but because we need Him. (pg. 58, emphasis mine)

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Posted in books, grace, Jerry Bridges, NavPress

The Practice of Godliness by Jerry Bridges

Posted on April 23, 2010 | Leave a comment

The Practice of Godliness

Jerry Bridges

NavPress

Jerry Bridges is best known for his book The Pursuit of Holiness, which has sold over one million copies. That book, he says, “dealt largely with putting off the old self—dealing with sin in our lives.” Its sequel, The Practice of Godliness, “focuses on putting on the new self—growing in Christian character.”

The first four chapters of Bridges’ book discuss godliness in general: what is it, why is it important, what is its proper motivation, and how do we develop it? Throughout these chapters and the remainder of the book, Bridges emphasizes the Christian’s responsibility in developing godliness. While the Holy Spirit’s work is essential, believers cannot expect to become godly without effort. We must pursue it:

We Christians may be very disciplined and industrious in our business, our studies, our home, or even our ministry, but we tend to be lazy when it comes to exercise in our spiritual lives. We would much rather pray, ‘Lord, make me godly,’ and expect Him to ‘pour’ some godliness into our souls in some mysterious way. God does in fact work in a mysterious way to make us godly, but He does not do this apart from the fulfillment of our own personal responsibility. We are to train ourselves to be godly.

The remaining fourteen chapters cover specific characteristics of godliness with practical ways to grow in each. These virtues draw primarily from Paul’s list in Galatians 5:22-23, but Bridges draws from other passages as well. They are: humility, contentment, thankfulness, joy, holiness, self-control, faithfulness, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, goodness, and love.

This book is grounded in an understanding of salvation by grace alone. It is not legalistic. Bridges is clear that both salvation and sanctification are the work of God. Yet the New Testament teaches that true believers will seek to live godly lives out of gratitude for that grace. This book is Bridges’ effort to help us do just that. I was both challenged and encouraged while reading it.

When I read Bridges, I feel as though I’m sitting with my grandfather while he humbly and patiently teaches me from the Word of God. And I sense that I am with a man who intimately knows his God. His books are clear, biblical, full of wisdom, and easy to read. This one is no exception. Like all of his books, I recommend it.

I received a review copy of this book through the NavPress Blogger Review Program.

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Posted in Book Reviews, Jerry Bridges, NavPress, sanctification

Book Review: The Joseph Road by Jerry White

Posted on February 1, 2010 | Leave a comment

The Joseph Road: Choices That Determine Your Destiny

Jerry White

Note: This book is available only through NavPress; it is not yet available through Amazon or other retail stores.

 

Before I began reading the Joseph Road, I didn’t know anything about Jerry White. But by the time that I finished his book, he had earned my respect and admiration. He’s the type of man who I want to spend time with and learn from. And his is a book that I’m glad I read.

Dr. White’s book is something like an expository sermon through the life of Joseph. From his coat of many colors to his request to have his bones carried out of Egypt, no detail is left untouched. Each chapter begins with a Scriptural account of Joseph. Then the author explains and illustrates the lesson with stories from his own life. And every chapter concludes with application and helpful “Questions for Reflection.”

So what is the Joseph Road? Basically, it’s making the best of your situation—working hard and being faithful wherever you’re at. “Not knowing one thing about the future, Joseph simply did good in whatever tasks or opportunities came his way.”

White stresses the importance of hard work, faithfulness, perseverance, obedience, and trust throughout the Joseph Road.

At first I suspected that this was another “be faithful and God will bless you” book. And in a sense, it is. But it’s not, be faithful and God will make you powerful. Or, be faithful and God will keep you healthy. Or, be faithful and God will give you a new BMW. Instead, it’s, be faithful knowing that your faithfulness may lead to persecution. Be faithful knowing that people may hate you for it. Be faithful knowing that it may keep you from worldly advancement. Be faithful, and you’ll be blessed with the peace that comes from knowing that you’ve been faithful. Be faithful, and you’ll be blessed by being a blessing to others.

White tells readers to consider adversity and tragedy as opportunities. We should remember that God brought about good through Joseph’s being sold into slavery. Though we may not see it, we must trust that God has a purpose for whatever we’re going through, too.

This isn’t empty talk for White, whose son was murdered in 1990. Even in that tragedy, White sees God’s sovereignty and goodness. “I searched desperately for God’s plan when our son was murdered. Reflecting later, I wrote these words: ‘There is more to life than being alive. There is an eternal life with God that supersedes all the goals of humanity.’ Now I see some of God’s purposes—certainly not all, but some.”

What were these purposes? Did they have to do with temporal blessings? No. “He [God] crushed my pride and ego. He sent me back to the basics of my beliefs about God. He drove me to the Scriptures. He opened doors to other peoples’ lives in a profound way. He put my achievements where they belonged: in the trash bin.”

In another place, White writes: “If our hope is temporal—based on happiness, success, security, and material possessions—it won’t last. Many of us will spend our last days in a small room with the remnants of everything we’ve accumulated in life stored in boxes, given to Goodwill, or distributed to our children.”

The Joseph Road is about leadership–Godly, heavenly minded leadership. The kind of leadership exhibited by Joseph, and later, by Jesus. And leadership that is not motivated by gain, but by a desire to do what is right, to serve others, and to please God.

I particularly appreciate White’s emphasis on hard work. Whatever our vocation, whether a dream job or drudgery, we should do our best. Joseph is the perfect example: “A resignation to his fate pushed him forward. He simply decided to work hard and be a loyal slave….Joseph’s only responsibility was to do well in what he was assigned.”

Was there anything I didn’t like? One little thing. In the front of the book we find the disclaimer that all Scripture quotations are from the NIV “unless otherwise identified.” Other quotes come from the NASB, The Message, The Living Bible, and the NKJV. But several passages did not come from the NIV, nor were their sources identified (page 173-174). Not even in the notes. And a few passages were paraphrased so loosely that I didn’t recognize them. I had to turn to the back to verify that they were Scripture quotations (the book, chapter, and verse are given in the notes). But they do get the point across, at least. I just wanted to know where they were from.

I recommend this book. It is clear and well-written. It is enjoyable to read. (I was going to read the introduction one evening, but then read the first 50 pages.) It is full of warmth; Dr. White is someone we want to spend time with. It is encouraging. It is inspiring. And it points us to God and to Christ.

Dr. Jerry White is president emeritus of The Navigators. He has a PhD in astronautics, and he retired from the Air Force as a major general.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Review: The Discipline of Grace

Posted on December 22, 2009 | Leave a comment

The Discipline of Grace: God’s Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness

 Jerry Bridges

 NavPress

Jerry Bridges laid out a believer’s responsibilities in The Pursuit of Holiness. His later book, Transforming Grace, emphasized God’s work within the believer. In The Discipline of Grace, Bridges brings the two together.

Although the table of contents doesn’t reflect it, there are two parts to the book. The first chapters are about God’s grace. A believer’s standing with God does not depend upon their performance. “Our own performance is never good enough to be acceptable to Him. The only way we can relate to God is through the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ.” So a Christian’s focus in the pursuit of holiness must be Christ. For that reason, believers need the gospel every day.  They should hear it, they should read it, and they should preach it to themselves.

The second half of the book deals with a believer’s responsibility in the pursuit of holiness. Only God can cause a seed to grow, but a farmer still has to cultivate the soil, plant the seed, fertilize, and water. Bridges says the same principle applies to spiritual growth. Without God’s grace, it will never happen. But God has given certain means of grace that can’t be neglected. Believers cannot be unconcerned and passive about holiness yet expect to grow. Holiness must be a conviction and a lifetime commitment.

The desire to live a holy life should stem from a desire to honor God. Love for God should be the motivation. Obedience to God is the way to show that love. Reliance and dependence upon God should characterize a believer’s quest for obedience.

Though The Discipline of Grace is full of theology, new Christians should not fear. The author explains difficult concepts in an understandable way. The basics of the Gospel are present. But there is plenty for the seasoned student to ponder, too.

The book is also practical. I am convicted and challenged by it. But the author does not leave me convicted and challenged without reminding me of what I need to do. I say “remind” because The Discipline of Grace doesn’t say anything new. The concepts come directly from the New Testament.

The only criticism I have of the book is that there are too many quotes. In some places there is a quote in every paragraph. Bridges even quotes people quoting people. The quotes are good, but often unnecessary. I am interested in what Jerry Bridges has to say about the Bible. An occasional quote to show that the Puritans were in agreement with him is fine. Quoting an “obscure Scottish pastor” to say less clearly what the author has already said is too much.

Regardless of the criticism, this is an excellent book. It is biblical. It is balanced. It is challenging. And it is a joy to read. I would put it in the same class as Packer’s Knowing God. I suspect people will be reading it decades from now. I hope my children are.

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Posted in Book Reviews, Jerry Bridges, NavPress

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