“Don’t just share your struggles, and above all, don’t just commiserate with one another. Remember, we are to be ministers of grace to each other. We are to seek to be avenues of the Holy Spirit to help the other person appropriate the grace of God. Praying with and for one another, sharing applicable portions of Scripture, and helping each other submit to God’s providential dealings with us, must characterize our times together.”
Jerry Bridges, Transforming Grace, p. 193
I couldn’t have said it any better. Many blessings!
Me neither! Sometimes when I read these quotes and post them I prepare an introduction. Then I end up deleting because — well, most of the time there is nothing left to add! 🙂
Very true. Fellowship isn’t fellowship if it’s just a gripe session.
I do like to read Jerry Bridges. If I ever find his books in the Thrift stores, I pick them up because I know I’ll be able to give one away to benefit some soul.
John Bunyan said this to his generation, very similar to what Jerry Bridges was conveying here (though some might disagree with me, and that’s okay) “That the best way both to provoke ourselves and others to good works is to be often affirming to others the doctrine of justification by grace, and to believe it ourselves.”
The term “justification by grace” here is where I got the title for my blog. What Mr. Bunyan was saying was that if we constantly and continuously affirm the truth of Christ and Him crucified (doctrine of justification by grace) to one another, believing it ourselves, then good works will flow from that: praying for one another, encouraging one another, edifying one another, &etc.
Thank you for sharing this, dear sister. I love to see the blessedness of the reality of Christ crucified everywhere I turn.
Have a blessed day!
Brother Jon:
I agree with you and John Bunyan.
In fact, a couple of weeks ago I was talking to a sister who is new in the Lord and walking through some challenges. I can see the God’s grace all over her. She was downcast over something in particular but as I began to share with her the truth of our salvation I could see her countenance change before my eyes. And, I too, take so much comfort and relief in this doctrine. Accepted by God for Jesus sake! There is no peace outside of this truth.
Thank you so much for sharing your blessed thoughts brother Jon. I pray you and the saints at Sovereign Grace have a beautiful day tomorrow.
This is such an appropriate little piece for me today. I will be reading it again later today.
Blessings on you and Steven this weekend!
@ Persis and Diane — Lord bless you too, my dear sisters. I pray you have a blessed day tomorrow!