Transforming Grace [Paperback]

Jerry Bridges (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1993

This book helps us accept and understand God's grace so we can live with the freedom of not having to measure up.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Funny how the exceeding riches of God’s grace seem to run out the moment we’re saved. From then on, we tend to base our relationship with Him on our performance rather than on His grace. Of course, God continues to deal with us on the basis of His grace, whether or not we understand it. It’s just that when we don’t, we forgo the abundant freedoms that come from not having to measure up.

The product of more than ten years of Bible study, Transforming Grace is a fountainhead of inspiration and renewal that will show you just how inexhaustible and generous God’s grace really is. You’ll never be able to ask for too much, need too much, hope for too much, or even sin too much. Like a never-ending stream of ocean waves crashing on the shore, His grace “superabounds” toward you without measure.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

JERRY BRIDGES is an author and Bible teacher. His most popular title, The Pursuit of Holiness, has sold over one million copies. He has authored several other books including Trusting God and The Discipline of Grace (both NavPress). Jerry is currently a part of the Navigator collegiate ministry group where he is involved in staff training and serves as a resource to campus ministries.

Product Details

• Paperback: 207 pages
• Publisher: NavPress Publishing Group (July 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891096566
• ISBN-13: 978-0891096566
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,890 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jerry Bridges is a longtime staff member of the Navigators and currently serves with their collegiate ministry. In addition to his international speaking ministry, he has authored ten books and three devotionals; among them The Pursuit of Holiness, which has sold well over a million copies, and the award-winning The Discipline of Grace and I Will Follow You, O God.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks, I needed that!!, December 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Transforming Grace (Paperback)

Have you ever struggled with wanting to serve and please God, but giving up, because you just couldn't do it? I have.

I wanted to live a life that was pleasing to God, but every time I tried, I messed up big-time. I finally just gave up, resigned myself to the fact that I just couldn't do it, so why try?

I stopped going to church, because "I didn't want to be a hypocrite". I started spending time with my friends every weekend at the local pub. I lived with men I wasn't married to, all the while lying to my family about it.

Then, it became an every night deal. All the while I knew I shouldn't be there and I shouldn't be living this way. But God never let me go. His Holy Spirit was always there "nagging" at me to leave that lifestyle and live like a child of God should. Gradually He brought people into my life who showed and taught me what my salvation was really all about. I grew ever so slowly, but I did grow.

After several years of very slow, but constant growth in biblical understanding, I was introduced to several books by Jerry Bridges. They were all very good, and I learned very much through them. But, when I read TRANSFORMING GRACE, my life truly changed!

You need to read this book! You WON'T regret it!!!!!

I thank God for sending Mr. Bridges to explain it all to me so clearly and so biblically! And, Mr. Bridges, I thank YOU for answering His call and allowing him to use you in a mighty way in my life and in the lives of countless others!

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The context and content of the concept of Grace, October 5, 2004

By 

Bill Newcomer (Ada, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Transforming Grace (Paperback)

One can read a book about a topic, but it may seem all to academic unless there is something related to the content of that book that you yourself have had to wrestle through. I do not endorse Jerry Bridges' "Transforming Grace" because it tickles my academic theological fancy. I endorse this book because I've "Been there... Done that... Got the t-shirt..."

Jerry Bridges articulates conclusions and thoughts I have come to regarding the Biblical concept of grace in the life of the believer; conclusions and thoughts I came to after wrestling with the issues of law and grace in the context of a former church characterized by a sophisticated subtle legalism founded in a scholastic pseudo-Puritanism; thoughts and conclusions forged in the fire of painful experience, the study of Scripture, and prayer. Bridges has not only articulated many of the same thoughts and conclusions I had come to regarding a Biblical concept of grace, he has expanded on them.

I also saw in "Transforming Grace" some of the principles and concepts set forth by Francis Schaffer in his seminal work "True Spirituality". The advantage of Bridges work is that it articulates those things from "True Spirituality" on a more popular and understandable level.

The Apostle Paul very clearly states in Titus 2:11-12 that it is Biblical grace that teaches us how to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly and righteously and godly in the present age. It is a focus on grace that teaches these things, not a focus on the law or duty or scrupulosity. It is not that there is no place for law and duty, but that place is subordinate to grace, not equal to, above, or apart from it. This truth is a foundational principle to what Bridges is saying in "Transforming Grace".

The grace that is spoken of in this book is not some vague concept of "grace" that has no content or context. It is the grace of God as exhibited in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is in the context of the Gospel that grace has content and meaning. Bridges clearly articulates the great cost of grace from God's perspective in the work and suffering of Jesus Christ. It's through the payment of that great cost by Christ Himself that grace becomes free, unearned, and un-conditional not just for lost and bankrupt sinners, but also for forgiven sinners living their Christian lives in response to the grace and love God has shown them. "Transforming Grace" clearly sets out that Biblical grace is "God's Riches At Christ's Expense."

Nor is Bridges pulling his view of grace out of a hat. This book looks at Scripture and expounds relevant passages.

"Transforming Grace" exposes the latent legalism that still afflicts the Evangelical church at large. But neither is antinomianism spared. Both legalism and antinomianism share the same basic fundamental flaw. Both are the result of an insufficient view of what the Gospel is, and what the grace of God in the Gospel does. It is a focus on the grace of God in the Gospel that will keep us in the way that leads to life, will keep our life in Biblical balance, and is the basis of all true Biblical spirituality.

If you are looking for a well-balanced presentation of what Biblical grace is, I highly recommend "Transforming Grace".

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now I Understand!, March 24, 2003

By 

David Knight (Harbor City, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Transforming Grace (Paperback)

I never understood God's grace and what it meant until I read "Transforming grace". I have spent years trying to earn what God had already given to me freely- eternal salvation. I no longer see God as a task master ready to step on me for the smallest infraction. I now see him as the God who loved me even when I was at emnity with him. Thats grace! I see God as a holy,gracious,generous,loving, and good God.

If you've been feeling like the life of the believer is more of a burden than a blessing, then you need to read this book. I promise that you won't feel like that after reading this book. You will be walking once and for all in the light of God's wonderful grace.

I really recommend this book. It's an easy read, and Jerry Bridges keeps it real and biblical.