The Preface to Transforming Grace by Jerry Bridges.
As with all of Jerry Bridges books, I recommend that you read this book. It is both challenging, yet devotional in nature.
The grace of God is one of the most important subjects in all of Scripture. At the same time it is probably one of the least understood.
All Christians by definition believe in grace. Many of us frequently quote Paul’s well-known words in Ephesians 2:8–9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." And John Newton’s beloved hymn "Amazing Grace" is said to be the all-time favorite hymn in the United States. Why then do I say the grace of God is one of the least understood subjects in the Bible?
When we think of grace, we almost always think of being saved by grace. That is why Ephesians 2:8–9 is so familiar to us. Even Christian literature available on the subject of grace seems to deal almost exclusively with salvation. But the Bible teaches we are not only saved by grace, but we also live by grace every day of our lives. It is this important aspect of grace that seems to be so little understood or practiced by Christians.
My observation of Christendom is that most of us tend to base our personal relationship with God on our performance instead of on His grace. If we’ve performed well—whatever "well" is in our opinion—then we expect God to bless us. If we haven’t done so well, our expectations are reduced accordingly. In this sense, we live by works rather than by grace. We are saved by grace, but we are living by the "sweat" of our own performance.
Moreover, we are always challenging ourselves and one another to "try harder." We seem to believe success in the Christian life (however we define success) is basically up to us: our commitment, our discipline, and our zeal, with some help from God along the way. We give lip service to the attitude of the apostle Paul, "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Corinthians 15:10), but our unspoken motto is, "God helps those who help themselves."
The realization that my daily relationship with God is based on the infinite merit of Christ instead of on my own performance is a very freeing and joyous experience. But it is not meant to be a one-time experience; the truth needs to be reaffirmed daily. That is what this book is all about.
I often study some important topic of Scripture using what I call the "Crock Pot" or slow cooker method. That is, I let it "cook" slowly over the back burner of my mind for months, even years. That has been true with the subject of God’s grace. It has been on my "back burner" for more than ten years. I’ve written three other books during that time, but my mind and heart have kept coming back to God’s grace.
As I’ve studied this subject, and more particularly in recent months as I have focused my thoughts into the material for this book, I’ve frequently felt like a child trying to dip all the water out of the ocean. The grace of God is so inexhaustible and at times overwhelming. I trust I have been able to express something of that feeling in the message of this book, and that you, too, will come to appreciate more the vast riches of God’s grace given to us through Christ.
Several people have played an important role in the writing of this book. My pastor, Rick Fite, read the complete manuscript and affirmed and encouraged me in this emphasis on grace. Another friend, Don Simpson, also read the manuscript and gave me valuable feedback and suggestions. Jon Stine, a very exacting editor, constantly challenged me to clarify my thoughts and to present a biblically balanced message. A number of friends across the country have prayed regularly for this work, but "senior saint" Grace Peterson has again been my Moses on the top of the hill while I have been fighting the "Amalekites" of concepts and thoughts, which often would just not come together. (Refer to Exodus 17:8–13 if you’re not familiar with the Bible analogy I’m using.)
Jessie Newton, my administrative assistant, has put my handwritten manuscript on a computer, ready to be typeset. This is the second book Jessie has typed for me, and she has done a superb job.
My dear wife, Jane, has been a constant encourager and never complained, either in word or attitude, about being a "writer’s widow" during the months when I devoted all my free time to writing this book.
Most of all, God Himself has poured out His mercy and grace on me. I trust my efforts will not be in vain and, through the message of this book, many will "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever more! Amen" (2 Peter 3:18).
