Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate was a great read. This Jerry Bridges' book addresses SIN. He argues that Christians tend to tolerate "respectable sins" (their own "little" sins) while harshly judging BIG sins. Bridges points out that in God's eyes--sin is sin is sin. And that Christians have no business tolerating sin in their lives--big or little. In other words, no sin is "respectable" from God's perspective. He does make a good case!
I loved how Bridges' chapters flow. I do. You can really see some connections between sins or sin patterns. He might surprise you--like he surprised me--when he argues that the greatest sin of all--the root of all other sin--is ungodliness. Furthermore, Christians are far from immune from this particular sin. "Ungodliness may be defined as living one's everyday life with little or no thought of God, or of God's will, or of God's glory, or of one's dependence on God." (54)
Other sins he addresses are: anxiety, frustration, discontentment, unthankfulness, pride, self-righteousness, selfishness, lack of self-control, impatience, irritability, anger, resentment, bitterness, judgmentalism, envy, jealousy, gossip, slander, lying, worldliness, etc.
I love that the book is relevant. Every reader will be confronted--or challenged--by Bridges at least a couple of times while reading Respectable Sins. (If not every chapter!) Sin is a reality. Whether Christians want to be upfront with their struggle or battle with SIN or not, the Christian life is a struggle from start to finish.
I love that the book is practical. Bridges not only points out common sins that believers struggle with, he, tells readers how to address these sins--all sins. He walks you step by step through the process. And these tips are well worth reading again and again.
I love that the book is encouraging. Bridges doesn't point out negative truths and leave readers without hope. He reminds readers again and again that JESUS PAID IT ALL, and that YOUR SINS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN. By all means, fight your war with sin. Strive to be holy. Take your life seriously--not only your words and actions, but your thoughts as well. But never, ever forget that JESUS PAID IT ALL…for you. That IT IS FINISHED. Take comfort in Christ's victory.
I love that it is Christ-centered and gospel-focused. Bridges urges readers to preach the gospel to themselves each and every day. He reminds them that it is impossible for them to grow beyond the gospel. The gospel isn't only for unbelievers. The gospel isn't something that you only "need" to hear the one time. The gospel is EVERYTHING. And God is the gospel. The more you live in the gospel--the more you cling to it--the more precious it becomes.
© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible
No comments:
Post a Comment