Practice of Godliness
Jerry Bridges wrote The Practice of Godliness as a companion to his earlier work The Pursuit of Holiness, addressing what he saw as an incomplete understanding of Christian spiritual development in evangelical circles. While many Christians focused intensely on avoiding sin and pursuing moral purity, Bridges observed that fewer understood godliness as the positive cultivation of Christlike character. He sought to provide practical biblical instruction for believers who genuinely desired spiritual maturity but lacked clear direction for developing the character traits that Scripture commends.
The book grounds godliness firmly in the gospel, arguing that Christian character flows from understanding one's identity in Christ rather than from mere moral effort. Bridges systematically examines key Christian virtues—devotion to God, humility, contentment, thankfulness, joy, holiness, and love—showing how each emerges from specific biblical truths about God's character and work. He demonstrates how meditation on Scripture, particularly on God's attributes and promises, transforms the believer's heart and naturally produces godly attitudes and behaviors. Throughout, Bridges maintains that godliness is both a gift of God's grace and a discipline requiring intentional effort, holding together divine sovereignty and human responsibility in spiritual formation.
The Practice of Godliness has remained influential in Reformed and broader evangelical circles for four decades because of its practical wisdom and theological balance. Bridges writes with the pastoral heart of someone who has wrestled personally with spiritual growth while maintaining rigorous biblical grounding. His approach appeals to Christians who want neither legalistic rule-following nor antinomian passivity, but a gospel-centered path to spiritual maturity.
Who should read this: Believers who desire systematic, biblically grounded guidance for character development will find Bridges' approach both challenging and encouraging. Those seeking emotional or mystical approaches to spirituality, or readers uncomfortable with Reformed theological frameworks, may find his emphasis on doctrinal meditation and disciplined practice less appealing.