Formed for the Glory of God: Learning from the Spiritual Practices of Jonathan Edwards

by Kyle Strobel

self-help project built away from the cross. Put another way, it is helpful to talk about the goal of spiritual disciplines versus means of grace. The goal of spiritual disciplines is often explained as a transformation of character. If you struggle with lust you can find a discipline that will help you stop lusting (possibly fasting, for example). Notice the problem with this. God is totally superfluous to this discussion. You have a problem, and so you come up with ways to fix this problem. Rather than abiding in the vine to bear good fruit, you are figuring it out on your own. Let me suggest that the focus of the Christian life is not about character but about holiness.[2] Holiness is not something you can develop an action plan for. Holiness is not in your power. The means of grace are actions that help us focus more fully on God, recognizing that God is the fountain from which all grace flows.