The Gospel for Real Life (with Study Guide) (Paperback)

~ Gerald Bridges (Author), (Author) "My friend had just learned that the artificial hip he had received eleven years earlier needed to be replaced..." (more)
Key Phrases: definitive sanctification, unsearchable riches, indwelling sin, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Christ Jesus (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The gospel provides for our eternal salvation, but how does it benefit us day to day? Find out from author Jerry Bridges how the gospel sets you free from sin's defeat and daily transforms you into Christlikeness.

• Includes study guide

From the Inside Flap

Why do so many believers live in quiet desperation?

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most explosive news of freedom the world has ever heard. Yet, why do so many of His followers experience so little of the gospel’s liberating power? Regrets over our past haunt us, fear and anxiety clutch at us, subtle legalism oppresses us, outright sin entangles us, and we spend much of the day without even thinking of God.

Jerry Bridges maintains that the poverty of actual Christian experience is the result of an impoverished understanding of the depths of the gospel itself. The key is not to try a little harder, but to know more fully the incredible work of Christ on the cross—and to live in a more vital awareness of that grace day by day.

Jerry does not flinch from the hard facts of human sin and God’s wrath—not exactly popular concepts today. But understanding them is absolutely crucial. For without a knowledge of the depth of our sin, we cannot experience "the unsearchable riches of Christ" that are available to us in the gospel. And when we know those riches, we are empowered to live every day "glorying in a sense of acceptance and the experience of grace."

This gospel is not just for the afterlife, but for today—it is the gospel for real life. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: NavPress (October 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576835073
• ISBN-13: 978-1576835074
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #85,490 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My review from www.CompleteInChrist.net, March 10, 2005

By	Craig N. Johnson (Windsor, VT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Jerry Bridges is one of my favorite authors. He is so clear. He is so personable. He is Christ-centered and gospel-centered in everything that he writes.

I find today that many Christians do not understand how the gospel relates to every day living. The gospel saves us. We all know that. But, what does the gospel have to do with my life today? Bridges helps us with that.

The book will help you to enjoy the gospel. We sometimes skip over many of the incredible doctrines related to salvation. We don't savor the truths. We don't LOVE the truths. Our study of salvation is merely academic. After each chapter of Bridges' book, you will want to have your own little celebration with God. You will want to set the book down, and pray to your great Savior.

As I said before, one of Bridges' strengths is his clarity. This is especially important when it comes to the gospel. Can you explain the gospel clearly...from the text of Scripture? Bridges will help the truths to be clear in your mind so that you are better equipped to share them with others.

Do you find yourself having a 'ho-hum' attitude about your salvation? A 'take it or leave it' attitude? Do you yawn a lot when you read what the Bible says about justification or adoption? Those truths are amazing! Those truths are what should motivate you to live a life of worship to God.

With Bridges' you will celebrate your life with Christ.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why live in quiet desperation?, May 26, 2003

By	Jacob Aitken (Pineville, LA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Gospel for Real Life (Hardcover)

I bought this book after someone recommended Jerry Bridges to me. I found this book a very basic, easy to read guideline to Covenant theology, namely the aspect of Salvation and the Christian Life.

Bridges Encourages believers to embrace the reality of Christ's finished work on the Cross, understand the meaning of reconciliation and Adoption by God, and no longer live with the knowledge and regret of past failure. Among the interesting points in the book is Bridge's interpretation of the word *propitiation* (which I fully agree, and believe it will satisfy the demands of modern, Reformed theologians). Chapters 5-9 contain the heart of the book as well as the heart of the Gospel. Bridges is able to take deep thought from modern and older reformers and put them into Everyman language.

Final Analysis: This book is basic. It contained no new truth, it just retold it in different terms (which is important). If you are familiar with the Catholic/Protestant debate over Sola Fide, then this book will not add anything new to the argument that both sides have not already heard. Try to find the book cheaper and it would well be a Sunday read which you could probably finish in a day. The book is aimed at those who are liveing their livies in quiet desperation. Only when we fully realize what Christ actually did on the cross will we ever truly live.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything old is new again!, August 20, 2003

By	C. M. Kern "reformedchris" (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Gospel for Real Life (Hardcover)

A previous reviewer mentioned that there was nothing new in this book but I heartily disagree. Tim Keller has said that the gospel "is a living power that continually expands its influence in our lives, just as a crop or tree would grow and spread and dominate more and more of an area with roots and fruit." Bridges is not mereley explaining doctrines in plain terms here. He is laying out the foundation for the successful Christian to walk and rest daily upon. The gospel for real life!

As he says in the book "to the extent that we understand and believe the truth regarding justification, we will experience a subjective peace--that is a sense of peace within our souls." That means we will want to experience every aspect of it, conform our wills to it, and offer it as an explanation to those in need of it.

This book has mighty implications and should be read and implemented thoughtfully!