Preface
PREFACE
Shortly after my book The Pursuit of Holiness was published in 1978, I was invited to give a series of ten lectures on that subject at a church in our city. One night I titled my lecture “The Chapter I Wish I Had Written.” The nature of that message was that the pursuit of holiness must be motivated by an ever-increasing understanding of the grace of God; else it can become oppressive and joyless.
The study and reflection that went into that lecture started me down the path of further study on the grace of God, culminating in a later book, Transforming Grace. As I sought to relate the biblical principle of living by grace to the equally biblical principle of personal discipline, I realized that it would be helpful to bring these two truths together in one book. That is the purpose of this volume.
A publisher’s deadline is both a slave master and a friend. It is a slave master in that it keeps my “nose to the grindstone” when there are so many other things calling, even screaming, for my attention (such as my garage, which desperately needs my attention). The deadline is a friend, however, in that it forces me to say, “Enough is enough.” It seems I am continually thinking of more things I want to say, but there comes a time when I must turn over a finished manuscript to the editor and trust that the Holy Spirit has prompted me to say all that needs to be said.
One of the more difficult aspects for me of writing a book about grace and holiness is the continual need for self-examination, lest I become like the teachers of the law and the Pharisees of whom Jesus said, “‘They do not practice what they preach’” (Matthew 23:3). The self-examination is often painful, and I have to confess that I struggle to apply much of what I have written in this book. That is why you will find a continual emphasis on the gospel of God’s grace in Jesus Christ. It is only the gospel that keeps me pursuing holiness, and it is only the assurance of His grace in Christ that gives me the courage to pass on what I have learned and am still learning.
One of my life verses, which gives both direction and motivation, is Ephesians 3:8: “Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” It is in that spirit that I submit this book to you.
One of the joys of writing a preface is the opportunity to express appreciation to those who have helped in one way or another in the writing of a book. To that end I must first of all acknowledge the giants who have gone before me and from whose writings I have profited so much. I think particularly of the Puritan theologian John Owen, who, in his writings, has taught me so much about the pursuit of holiness. Next among those who have gone before would be the nineteenth-century Scottish theologian George Smeaton, through whom I have come to a richer understanding of the gospel.
I also owe a debt of gratitude to my friend Dr. Jack Miller, from whom I acquired the expression “Preach the gospel to yourself every day.” I had been doing that, somewhat out of necessity, for several years, but Dr. Miller helped bring that concept into sharper focus and more conscious application for me.
My friend Don Simpson read the manuscript and gave me valuable feedback and suggestions. This is the third time Don has helped me by reading a manuscript, and he has been a faithful friend. Steve Webb, my editor at NavPress, has also given valuable suggestions and encouragement. Many of my friends across the country responded to an “SOS” for prayer support when I was about halfway through the book and so discouraged I was ready to give it up. You know who you are, so thank you so very, very much.
Sue Zeug, my assistant, typed the manuscript, including numerous revisions, since I am still trying to come into the computer age. My wife, Jane, has again encouraged me by her prayers and patience during the time I have devoted my attention to this book.
Most of all I am grateful to God, who has given me the privilege of ministering to others through the printed page. I am certainly an unworthy servant, and it is, again, only by His grace that I have this ministry.