Jerry Bridges. The Transforming Power of the Gospel. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, December 22nd 2011. 192 pp.
I finished this book four days before the death of the author, Jerry Bridges. Upon finishing this book I thought to myself, “I’m glad that such a saint is alive and with us.” Of course Jerry Bridges has been promoted to glory and in heaven. I am glad that by God’s grace and providence He ordained Jerry Bridges to author this book. This book has become one of my favorite book on how the Gospel fuel our sanctification and currently is my recommendations to those struggling with holiness.
The purpose of the book is show the importance of the Gospel in a believer’s sanctification. There will be no true sanctification without the Gospel. The Gospel is both foundational and what motivates Christians to live a holy life. Bridges shares what he has learned in fourteen chapters. The book as a whole can be divided into two parts. The first looks explicitly at the Gospel’s role in transformation while the second part looks at the work of the Spirit and our responsibility relying on the Spirit. In the preface Bridges tells us that what he’s sharing in the book was the result of what he has learned from the last twenty-five years; I’m sure that’s true given the book’s practical wisdom and truths that is mined from the Scripture. In what follows I want to discuss the insights of some of the chapters.
The first chapter got me hooked to the book when Bridges described the process of how he came to discover the power of Gospel-driven holiness. He tells us of how at first he made the mistake of assuming he could live the Christian life by his own moral willpower. But that of course ended in frustration. Then he made the next mistake by taking on a passive approach of spiritual sanctification. In terms more people could understand, Bridges went from the mentality of “Do-It-Yourself” to one of “Let-Go-And-Let-God.” Bridges then discover that the “balance” of both extreme requires the Gospel and he confesses that before his understanding of the Gospel’s role in transformation he thought the Gospel was only for nonbelievers!
After the opening chapter the next chapter covers the subject of holiness which I appreciate a lot. I really benefited from Bridges’ discussion of the two-fold aspect of holiness with one aspect being God’s Transcendent Majesty that describes how set apart God is and the second aspect of God’s holiness being His infinite moral purity. He has a wonderful exposition of Isaiah 6 and how Bridges brings the background context of Isiah 6 is a wonderful example of how historical setting enriches biblical exposition. Following this chapter, chapter three is on the sinfulness of sin and the next chapter is on the great exchange. Here we see classic Biblical Gospel presentation and Bridges presented in a way that is practical and made me love God and the Gospel a little more than before I read it. In keeping with the theme of the book chapter five and six discusses our need for daily embracing of the Gospel and how the Gospel motivates obedience since it stirs within the believer a heart of gratitude. I also appreciated the chapter on dependent responsibility (chapter 9) and the instruments of grace (chapters 10 and 11). I really like the term Bridges coined, “dependent responsibility” and I have started to use that term in my own vocabulary. I was also convicted with Bridges’ discussion about memorizing Scripture and his personal testimony of how this practice of spiritual discipline has helped him in his own fight with sin. I was convicted since this is probably the one discipline I struggle with the most and his own life’s testimony of how memorization of Scripture helps in real life experience made me realize what I was missing out on.
I highly recommend this book. When I was going through this book with a small group one of the brothers pointed out that at times Bridges could be repetitive. I didn’t necessarily think much of that but felt there was some truth to this towards the end of the book. For instance I felt chapter thirteen on “Transformed into His Image” was already discussed elsewhere earlier in the book already and was surprised to see this as a chapter towards the end. But I suppose a little bit of repetition of biblical truths can never hurt. But don’t let that withhold you from reading the book as I highly recommend it.
Purchase: Westminster | Amazon
I have a few other books by Jerry and I don’t have this one so on your recommendation I am hopping over to amazon to order one. Thank you for sharing this 🙂 ~ Have a blessed day with Jesus ~
Wow! What other works of Bridges have you read and would recommend?
I just read he went to be with the Lord yesterday! I’ve read The Pursuit of Holiness and The Practice of Holiness. Both very good and I also bought the study guides.
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I like the term responsible dependent too. It fits with the sinner/saint that I am. Scripture is to be grown into and that can’t happen if it is never read or committed to the mind and heart. Every believer needs to feed on the Bible for themselves and not depend solely upon others to feed them. Bible ignorance makes for a sickly church and I think it is the crux of the church’s condition, today.
I get quite sad with the Biblical ignorance that exists today in churches.
Me too…but I’m so blessed to have my Bible to read and I’m also, blessed to know there are Pastors who care whether or not I read it. Chin up. We can only, fix what’s in our power to fix. God uses you every day to make a difference in my life. You are a blessing.:0)
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thanks Vincent for sharing this post with the readers of your blog!
You’re very welcome!
[…] The Transforming Power of the Gospel by Jerry Bridges […]
Wow what a book that many Christians should read. Its so beautiful that grace transforms us!
[…] I think Christians and non-Christians alike should all read The Transforming Power of the Gospel by Jerry Bridges. […]
[…] One of the best books I have read on the implication of the Gospel for Christian life. Check out my Review: The Transforming Power of the Gospel by Jerry Bridges. […]