IN HIS NEW BOOK on Jonathan Edwards, Formed For The Glory of God, Kyle Strobel states an important principle.
“Holiness is not something you can develop an action plan for. Holiness is not in your power. The means of grace are actions that help us focus more fully on God, recognizing that God is the fountain from which all grace flows. If you want to bear good fruit you don’t simply try hard, as if fruit-bearing is an issue of sheer force. Instead, you establish a healthy connection with the tree (Jn 15:4-5). This is more deeply relational than self-willing your life into order. Therefore, while the goal of spiritual disciplines can digress into fixing or growing oneself, the goal of means of grace is abiding in God through Christ.”[1]
How do we abide? We keep focused on the cross of Christ where all of God’s attributes are gloriously displayed.
[1]Strobel, Kyle (2013-03-07). Formed for the Glory of God: Learning from the Spiritual Practices of Jonathan Edwards (pp. 71-72). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
