Transforming Grace: Living Confidently in God's Unfailing Love

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Transforming Grace: Living Confidently in God's Unfailing Love

by Jerry Bridges, Jerry Bridges

4.29 · rating details · 164 ratings · 36 reviews

The freedom in falling short of God’s standard relies on His gift of grace. Unfortunately, too many of us forget the free offer. We spend our lives basing our relationship with God on our performance rather than on Him. We see our identity as never being worthy of His love.Isn’t it time to stop trying to measure up and begin accepting the transforming power of God’s grace?...more

Paperback, 272 pages

Published April 22nd 2008 by NavPress (first published 1991)

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Feb 05, 2009

Colin Miller rated it

Shelves: nonfiction, jesus-fu, favorite-of-this-author, top-ten-to-recommend

While most theology books try to get you to some lofty relationship with God, Jerry Bridges’ Transforming Grace goes back to the foundation, firming up what we’re supposed to be standing upon.

With Jesus, it’s all about grace. You know that, right? Sure you do. It’s one of the three answers to Bible questions. (The other two are ‘prayer’ and ‘Jesus,’ by the way.) The problem is, we think that it can’t actually be entirely God’s grace and nothing from us, yet Transforming Grace does a...more

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Oct 10, 2011

Philip Taylor rated it

· review of another edition

This is a simply brilliant book. Jerry Bridges writes with clarity and depth on the subject of Grace. The main thesis of the book is "... the Bible teaches we are not only saved by grace, but we also live by grace every day of our lives" (p. 11). He goes on to say "The realization that my daily relationship with God is based on the infinite merit of Christ instead of my own performance is a very freeing and joyous experience" (p. 12).

A key verse that Jerry Bridges u...more

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Oct 28, 2011

Robert Murphy rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, own

This is a good book, but I had to read it in an awkward way. Since it was for class, I had to read four chapters at a time and take a week off in between. As such, I became paranoid that Bridges is one of those "hyper-grace" people. (The old name is Anti-Nomian). He spends the first six chapters arguing so strongly against any action as Legalistic self-justification that I felt there was no room left to breathe! Eventually, as I kept reading, I saw that he is close to balanced, bu...more

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Sep 09, 2011

Dan rated it

If you are one of those who continually finds yourself on what Bridges calls the "performance treadmill" this book is for you. This book is an excellent antidote when we all to frequently try to merit God's favor by our works. Yet Bridges is also careful to point out that grace is not license to sin. This book will help you understand how important grace is for daily living and not just for salvation. How often to we mentally measure Christian success or our relationship with Chri...moreIf you are one of those who continually finds yourself on what Bridges calls the "performance treadmill" this book is for you. This book is an excellent antidote when we all to frequently try to merit God's favor by our works. Yet Bridges is also careful to point out that grace is not license to sin. This book will help you understand how important grace is for daily living and not just for salvation. How often to we mentally measure Christian success or our relationship with Christ based on performance? How often has there been an undercurrent of "try harder" in our lives and churches? Bridges carefully debunkes these performance measures and helps us find a center in the grace of God.

Bridges writing style doesn't make him the most easy person to quote but here are a few I pulled together.

"Because of who He is and what He is, God is infinitely worthy of my most diligent and loving obedience, even if I never receive a single blessing from His hand. The fact is, of course, I have received innumerable blessings from Him. But His worthiness is intrinsic within Himself, it is not conditioned on the number of blessings you or I receive from Him."

"God is worthy of my loving obedience because of who He is, not because of what He does."

"God's grace does not change the fundamental character of God's moral law. Rather, the grace of God provides for the forgiveness and acceptance of those who have broken the law. The good news of the gospel is that God has removed the guilt we incur by breaking His law and has bestowed on us the righteousness of Christ, who perfectly kept His law. Legalism does not consist in yielding obedience to the law. Rather, it is to seek justification and good standing with God through the merit of works done in obedience to the law instead of by faith in Christ."

"The great mistake made by most of the Lord's people is in hoping to discover in themselves that which is to be found in Christ alone. - Pink"

"grace is never cheap. It is absolutely free to us, but infinitely expensive to God. That is what I mean by grace in the fullness of its meaning. Anyone who is prone to use grace as a license for irresponsible, sinful behavior, surely does not appreciate the infinite price God paid to give us His grace. But anyone who tends to use legalism as a hedge against license, just as surely forgets that grace cannot be earned by our behavior."(less)

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Mar 18, 2008

Will rated it

· review of another edition

THIS IS ONE BOOK THAT TRANSFORMED MY LIFE. IT HELPED ME TO UNDERSTAND LIVING BY GRACE INSTEAD OF LIVING THE UPS AND DOWNS OF MY OWN PERFORMANCE EACH DAY.

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Sep 07, 2007

Wade rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: christian-living

This is an excellent book on living under God's grace and dealing with guilt over our sin. It is very easy to read and theologically solid.

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Mar 05, 2011

Greg Wilson rated it

· review of another edition

I realize Christian publishing is a business. Like any other business a publisher of Christian books needs to turn a profit. This realization, however, has done little to temper my aggravation at the high cost of small group curriculum. Even for individual study, one usually has to buy the book and study guide separately. For example, some time ago I bought Respectable Sins and the study guide ($28.98 retail $17.99 at CBD). Now multiply that amount by the number of learners in your small group. ...moreI realize Christian publishing is a business. Like any other business a publisher of Christian books needs to turn a profit. This realization, however, has done little to temper my aggravation at the high cost of small group curriculum. Even for individual study, one usually has to buy the book and study guide separately. For example, some time ago I bought Respectable Sins and the study guide ($28.98 retail $17.99 at CBD). Now multiply that amount by the number of learners in your small group.

Recently NavPress has done small groups a big favor by releasing several of their best sellers in new editions that combine the book and the study guide. The Respectable Sins small-group curriculum sells at their website for $7.45. Obviously this is too late for my edification, but a bargain for yours.

Transforming Grace is another of their new small-group releases. Although I originally read this book almost twenty years ago, it is this new edition, which I am going to review.

Transforming Grace is written by one of my favorite authors. Jerry Bridges is still actively serving the Lord although past his eightieth birthday. He has served with the Navigators (a discipleship ministry) for over fifty years. His writing reveals a humble believer who is not afraid to confess his faults. As I read this book, I felt like I was sitting across his breakfast table as he shared the details of his spiritual growth.

The curriculum is broken into eight sessions (covering the thirteen chapters of the book). The text is laid out with a large right hand margin for notes and observations as you read. Following the readings are study questions, most of them insightful, several of them painfully personal. These conclude with a closing prayer, but extra questions for further study follow. Short quotations on grace by various authors finish out each session. In the back of the book there is a section designed to assist group leaders in facilitating a healthy discussion. Group sessions will take at least sixty minutes.

There is a reason that, even after being in print for twenty years, the publishers are still developing resources utilizing Transforming Grace. It is a must read for anyone stuck on the “performance treadmill.” “We are legalistic by nature; that is, we innately think so much performance by us earns so much blessing from God” (p. 12). “One of the best kept secrets among Christians today is this: Jesus paid it all. I mean all. He not only purchased your forgiveness of sins and your ticket to heaven, He purchased every blessing and every answer to prayer you will ever receive. Every one of them – no exceptions” (p. 13). “That is, the entire Christian life from start to completion is lived on the basis of God’s grace to us through Christ” (p. 15).

To be a Christian is to recognize that one’s justification is based on grace. The Christian also realizes that one’s glorification is based on grace. Many Christian though believe that living the Christian life is based on works instead of grace. Throughout the book, Bridges thoroughly deconstructs this notion. “To the extent you are clinging to any vestiges of self-righteousness or are putting any confidence in your own spiritual attainment, to that degree you are not living by the grace of God in your life” (p. 30). He gives what I believe makes a good self-diagnostic tool on page 50. “Are you experiencing both the peace of God that comes with salvation and the joy of God that comes with living by grace each day? If not, you may be saved by grace, but you are living by works.”

The most helpful session to me was “Session Five: The Proof of Love.” This session covered two chapters of the book. (A side note, covering thirteen chapters in eight sessions means that some of the reading was heavier in a few of the sessions.) In the fifth session he dealt with sanctification or holiness. Bridges believes the two words are “virtually interchangeable” (p. 135). He differentiates between what he calls “initial sanctification and progressive sanctification.”

Initial sanctification occurs instantly at the moment of salvation when we are delivered from the kingdom of darkness and brought into the kingdom of Christ. Progressive sanctification continues over time until we go to be with the Lord. Initial sanctification is entirely the work of God the Holy Spirit who imparts to us the very life of Christ. Progressive sanctification is also the work of the Holy Spirit but it involves a response on our part so that we as believers are actively involved in the process (p. 148)

For many people raised in the fundamentalist movement this book may make you occasionally angry, but also might make you chuckle. I saw myself often in Bridges story of his growth in understanding grace. He refers to the fences that we build (many for good reasons) and then how we turn the fences into what I like to call an eleventh commandment. He mentions how he grew up thinking it was a sin to play pool. He thought this because his parents forbade him going to the pool hall, but they did not explain why. Of course, it wasn’t the game of pool; it was the environment of the pool hall. “But there is a lesson in my experience for all parents: Don’t focus on the fence…Take time to explain and re-explain the reason for the fence” (p. 166).

I highly recommend this book, for personal or group study. Bridges takes the reader ever deeper into an understanding of the life changing and liberating grace of God. He exposes our legalistic tendencies and points us to the finished work of Christ. He shows us our spiritually bankruptcy and then how to enjoy our spiritual riches.
(less)

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Sep 04, 2010

Linda rated it

· review of another edition

Transforming Grace is the first book by Jerry Bridges that I have read. This book describes what God’s Grace is and is not, along with His unconditional love. He doesn’t want the believer to misunderstand the walk of faith–that it’s ‘walked out’ by God’s grace, not by our own ability. Jerry’s book is thorough, giving many Biblical descriptions to explain his points. He touches on 1)the performance treadmill, 2)who needs grace, 3)compelled by love, 4)holiness-a gift of God’s grace, 5)the suff...more

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Aug 20, 2010

Kara rated it

Shelves: reviews-all, reviews-navpress, theology, general-christian

I've had the opportunity now to read several Jerry Bridges books and I must say that he's quickly become one of my favorite authors. Author of the classic, The Pursuit of Holiness, and a gifted communicator, he writes about practical theology...how doctrine applies to our daily lives...with a humble and gentle tone.

I recently finished Transforming Grace and found it very refreshing and thought-provoking. It tackles a complex concept in a clear,understandable fashion. The back cover d...more

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Mar 31, 2009

Sheila Thoburn rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction

I often believe that what good or bad happens to me is a result of my actions. And though it is true we all reap what we sow, it is also true that we do nothing to deserve God's blessings. All of his gifts to us are through his grace and as Christians we should reflect his character by showing grace to others. This book has helped me to learn this as well as other things. It was a wonderful gift that Valerie gave to our family one year. Thank you, Valerie!

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Aug 17, 2011

Tania Brzovic rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Christians/those interested in Christian theology

Recommended to Tania by: A friend from church

Shelves: non-fiction, christianity

This book was incredibly powerful for me. The concepts in the book are hard to articulate. You have to read it for yourself. If you are a Christian and you ever feel like you aren't 'good enough' this book will help you remember that God loves you no matter what. I think it is a must read. I am sad to have to give it back to the person who loaned it to me, and I'll be looking for a used copy, as well as a copy of the study guide.

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Feb 14, 2009

Courtney rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction

We read this as part of a 13-week Bible study. It was life-changing for me. I came from a very legalistic background, and this book helped me to escape that way of thinking. Christians love to accept the grace, but we unfortunately don't seem to like to share it. I wish we could all learn to share the grace.

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Jan 13, 2009

Travis rated it

· review of another edition

Maybe the best book on explaining the doctrine of biblical grace ever written. Jerry is truly gifted at taking what can be complex issues and making them accessible. He is also one of the most gracious people you will ever meet.

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May 07, 2011

Alexis Neal rated it

Shelves: 100-books, religion

Really more of a four-and-a-half star book, and definitely Bridges' best so far. This book kicked my behind right proper. Substantively, it's quite similar to Forde's On Being a Theologian of the Cross, albeit a little easier to digest. As someone who struggles with legalism on a pretty much constant basis, I found this book quite challenging. Bridges reminds his readers that grace not only saves us, but also sanctifies us as well. And I for one definitely need the reminder. I still haven'...more

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Aug 18, 2009

Rebecca rated it

· review of another edition

What a blessing this book was! Taught me so much about living a life based on my works versus living by His abundant and never ending grace! Still wrapping my mind around that!

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Mar 22, 2011

Jesse rated it

· review of another edition

Bridges has a knack for being theological and devotional at the same time. This is the way it should be done. Our practical walk with Christ comes from our theological beliefs. So our prayer life and spiritual formation depends on what we believe about God. This book makes the crucial point that God's activity in our lives is grace. Grace isn't just for justification but also to make us more like Jesus in our inward person. When we trust in Christ for salvation grace begins flowing into our live...more

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Oct 10, 2007

Rock Rockwell rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: christian-living

Bridges third book on Christian sanctification that brings 'grace' as the dominate theme and power in Christian growth. Bridges carefully details the transforming power of God's unconditioinal gift of the Spirit to us by applying the total work of Christ in our place. God's love working in and through us gives us the power to live an appreciative and loving life towards God and man, thus giving us the will to want to obey and live out God's word in every aspect of our life. However, when we f...more

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Jan 17, 2010

Anita rated it

· review of another edition

Need to be washed in God's grace because you are beating yourself up trying to be good? This is the book for you! Wonderfully written work for encouragement.

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May 03, 2010

Maam rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: faith, non-fiction

My favorite of all Jerry Bridges books. They are all very similar with a common theme which runs through them. This one touched me the most.

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Mar 23, 2008

Dele rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Christians

Shelves: spirtitual-books

A very readable book about a challenging spiritual concept. One of my biggest criticisms about books like this is that the authors often seem hellbent on using every big word they learned in seminary school. Now I'm a huge fan of big words, but I don't read books to prove to people how smart I am, so I kind of resent it when people write books to prove how smart they are...

...but I digress. This book was none of those things; it was well-written and is a great accompaniment to Script...more

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Aug 12, 2010

Charity Johnson rated it

· review of another edition

Another book about grace. Sigh....
I'm not sure that we wouldn't be better off in prayer.

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Feb 05, 2009

Colin Miller rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: jesus-fu, nonfiction

Note: This is a review for the discussion guide accompanying Jerry Bridges’ Transforming Grace, not the book itself (that gets four stars).

I have a simple rule for workbooks: Do they fill parts of the book in better? If so, the workbook gets good reviews and the actual book is usually criticized for not doing what it should. The Transforming Grace discussion guide is more busywork than anything else (though the summaries are quite good). It doesn’t hurt the lessons laid out by the ...more

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Aug 18, 2010

Stephanie Blake rated it

· review of another edition

I try to read everything that Jerry Bridges writes. This was another of his books that did not disappoint.

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Aug 04, 2011

Leena V. rated it

· review of another edition

Seemingly basic but rich and deep in what Grace means.

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Jan 29, 2011

Ken rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: read-christian-living

Second time through this book read it probably 8 years ago for the first time. I like it for its simple way of presenting. Bridges reminds us that we are righteous only by grace and that our efforts for self improvement are doomed to fail apart from grace. Does a great job on the role of the law to point out our failure and that the road to righteousness is not to be attained by our own efforts to fix ourselves but by looking unto Jesus the author and finsher of our faith.

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Jul 24, 2011

Brian Eshleman added it · review of another edition

Certainly attacks the idea that we can or should "take it from here" after salvation.

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Apr 20, 2008

Eric rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Christians who try to do it on their own

Recommended to Eric by: Steve "Space Cowboy" Miller

Shelves: christian

I'm no Christian book homer - I've given threes to the beatified CS Lewis! Transforming Grace is not a complicated book. Straight forward, scripturally grounded; almost slap you in the face obvious - how could you miss it? Bridges has Christian culture pegged. We can rely on works just as much as those who have no concept of grace, and Bridges won't rest until we repent of our folly and embrace the full life that we are offered through grace.

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Sep 06, 2010

Erin Kennedy rated it

· review of another edition

Good, but tough for me. Good reminders that the burden of earning God's approval does not fall on our shoulders. On the one hand, that is liberating. On the other, it confuses me. Is God unaware of what I do? Or does He not care? That doesn't make sense. Yet some discussions of this topic, particularly within the Reform theology world, make it seem as if our actions don't matter. Tough for me to understand at this point.

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Aug 08, 2008

Debby rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, 5-star-books

If I was being exiled to some deserted island and could only take 10 books with me, this would be one of them. This book helped open up to me a greater understanding of just how transforming God's grace and unfailing love and how little I had really believed and truted it. I highly recommend this book. I alsorecommend reading it with Bridges' book Trusting God.

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Jan 18, 2008

Mark Conwell rated it

· review of another edition

I am still in the process of reading this book, but the book explains what living by God's abundant grace is really about. Jerry Bridges contrasts living by Grace and living by "The Law" in depth using examples from The Bible and referencing specific books and verses.

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About Jerry Bridges

JERRY BRIDGES is an author and conference speaker. His most popular book, The Pursuit of Holiness, has sold over one million copies. Jerry has been on the staff of The Navigators for over fifty years, and currently serves in the Collegiate Mission where he is involved primarily in staff development, but also serves as a speaker resource to the campus ministries.

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

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