The Discipline of Grace

A fine, fine read.

I've read a lot of Christian books. Growing up in the church, Christians are already very prone to be "booky" people. And couple that with my love of reading, and I've become a Christian book consumer. But this one stands alone. Perhaps it was the timing of my reading it: I was a Freshman in college. I have always struggled to balance legalism with license to sin (anti-nomianism). The Discipline of Grace is all about staying out of these two ditches on either side of the road that is the Christian life. I struggled because I wanted to pursue godliness and holiness so much, but found myself doing it to gain God's approval. And in other seasons, I would almost justify my continuing sin by banking on God's grace. Enter this book. Bridges shows how grace actually teaches and trains us (Titus 2) and we actually use the good news of the gospel and the love God has already given us to motivate us to pursue holiness. It's a high view of grace/justification and high view of holiness/sanctification. I had never heard this message in my entire life. Preaching the gospel to yourself has become my mantra for my entire life since reading this book. I try to get it into as many hands as I can. *A great companion book to read alongside this is "A Gospel Primer" by Milton Vincent - which was actually written as a response to this book. God bless you, Jerry Bridges.

I've grown up in church and have have been seriously walking with God for several years now as an adult in her mid 20s. I have heard the gospel preached numerous times throughout my life, but I can say I've never fully grasped what it means to be under God's grace until I read this book. As crazy as it sounds. I've never heard the gospel explained like this before. This book is scripturally backed and theologically sound. Every claim is backed up with scripture. This genuinely has changed my understanding of the gospel. Before I finished this book, I knew it was one that I would be compelled to reread. If I could give it infinite stars I would. I will be coming back to this book time and time again. If you ever question how God sees you in light of your mistakes, read this book.

I find Jerry Bridges to be one of the clearest and most challenging writers on practical Christian living today. He lays out grace, sin, and discipline in no uncertain terms, and then goes on to challenge readers to live like Christ and pursue holiness. This book helped me to understand grace, that I always am accepted by God, and my disciplines and service are done out of gratitude and love, dependent on Him, because of God's unmerited favor. Bridges talks plainly about indwelling sin, relying on the power of God to fight it, filling our thought life with Scripture, and in those sin-decision moments, choosing what is right. Bridges is also very transparent and honest about his own life, and the struggles of his own sin and inconsistencies, even after years of teaching and writing. It is clear that he wants greater holiness in his own life, and in the life of every believer. Overall this book has been very encouraging and challenging to me as I desire to be more like Christ, live in light of God's Grace, and depend on the Holy Spirit as I seek to discipline myself toward godliness. I highly recommend this book to all Christians looking to dive deeper into practical Christianity.

This was a good book on application of the Gospel for daily living through disciplines powered by the Grace of God. Insightful and helpful.

But not in a bad way. I'm partially through chapter 4 right now (which is kind of slow going, but also not in a bad way, just very dense). I'm reading through it with a friend, and let me tell you, this book has really challenged both of us to think about the way we've approached our lives. Some of the best things so far: * Spiritually "bad" days and "good" days alike are covered by His grace -- it doesn't matter how good or bad we are, we can't measure up, but He covers us anyway. * "refined sins": his analysis of gossip and pride were really striking, particularly when he pointed out that if we consider ourselves perfect (pride), we mentally remove ourselves from the scope of God's grace: only sinners need grace, and if we don't consider ourselves sinners, we are not eligible for God's greatest gift to us. * "preaching the gospel to ourselves every day": his overview of the gospel is really encouraging, but also a great exhortation to holiness. Overall, I've enjoyed this and find it very Biblically-based. A few times I've wished he'd gone into a bit more detail when defining terms, but he's done really well so far explaining both God's grace and the obedience He asks from us, without falling into either legalism or "God loves everyone! Hearts and rainbows!" that can result from discussions of grace. This is well-grounded in an acknowledgement of our sinfulness but also the hope we have through our Messiah's grace. I would (and have) definitely recommend this to people who are serious about maturing into Him who is our Head.

I could easily say that Jerry Bridges's "The Discipline of Grace" has become one of my top 5 books of all time! It has some deeper insights on how Grace disciplines a person, who can enjoy a greater personal relationship in Christ. Jerry has shared practical applications, and this one book is something I like to read once a year at least!

But with this book it needs to be understood that most Christians and churches do not effectively preach about the grace of God (receieving Christ's reward for perfectness, in your sinful state). And most Christians can not tell you what it is, as such this book clears up alot of the muck, false doctrine and works based mentalities that currently exist. Believe that this book would be beneficial to you it's not a book every Christian should read that is the bible. But this book makes the bible even more clear. The writer is not one giving you new inspiration from God or a new thing he has found but rather expounds on the scripture to make clear that which has become murky. Reading this book I understood that Romans solely is about the grace of God. But praise be to the Most High God who gives the grace for us to be part of the priviledged few.

One of my most favorite books. Helps and reminds me to orient my growth in holiness on grace

Sanctification has been explained in a beautiful manner. The author illustrates the issues and Biblical doctrine in a relevant and empathetic manner. Speaking truth with love.

A book which brings together the concepts of Christian discipline and the freely given grace of our Father God. As the book says, these are often seen as being diametrically opposed, whereas to live a truly Christian life both are needed. We cannot earn our way into heaven - Jesus has already provided the way - but without discipline how can we become more holy? The book is written in an everyday style, no need for a theological degree, but on the other hand Jerry Bridges does not hesitate to tackle the truths of how far we fall short of the holiness God wants us to aspire to and its practical outworking, not only in our lives but in those of the people around us.