The Gospel for Real Life, by Jerry Bridges

I found this book to be more than just a book about "The Gospel."  I have been reading several books on "The Gospel" for a discussion group and found that most were striving to explain the Gospel in very concrete terms and doing good exegesis of Biblical Passages that explain the Gospel message.

Then I read Bridges book.  While he does give a working definition of what "The Gospel" message is his book goes well beyond that.  He delves into our walk with Christ and how the Gospel effects so many areas of our Christian life.  The text starts with why the cross was necessary, why Christ was the perfect sacrifice, why obedience was important and how what Christ did for us on the cross was the perfect sacrifice to satisfy the judgement that God required.

I think the best part of this book was the explanation that Bridges gave about what the difference is between Propitiation and Expiation.  He gave a very readable definition for both and why they are complimentary and why we need to be sure an understand the difference between the two and realize why we need them both.

From here Bridges goes on to subjects such as why we need to be ransomed, what reconciliation is, what sanctification is, what it means to have confidence in the sacrificial work of Christ and how we as children of God should be grateful for the gift that Yahweh gave us in the presence of his Son taking on human form and becoming the perfect sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sins.

Of all the books I have read I would say that Bridges is the easiest read and thus probably would be a favorite of lay people who want a good communicator to explain to them the many different subjects he touches on.  Scholar's, pastors and seminary students might feel the book is a bit to simplistic for their taste, but frankly I would remind them to not be snooty, but realize the great gift that Bridges gives to the church through his readable books that touch the hearts and lives of Christians everywhere.

If you purchase this book you will enjoy the read, learn the importance of the Gospel for your life and find many practical applications of this material for how you live, or at least how you should live.

Enjoy!