The Practice of Godliness

Jerry Bridges

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We envision multitudes of diverse people in the United States and every other nation who have a passionate love for Christ, live a lifestyle of sharing Christ’s love, and multiply spiritual laborers among those without Christ.

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© 1983, 1996 by Jerry Bridges

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Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 83-61499

ISBN 08910-99417

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Cover photograph: Sharpshooters

Some of the anecdotal illustrations in this book are true to life and are included with permission of the persons involved. All other illustrations are composites of real situations, and any resemblance to people living or dead is coincidental.

Unless otherwise identified, all Scripture quotations in this publication are taken from the Holy Bible: New International Version® (NIV®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. Other versions used include: the New American Standard Bible (NASB), ©The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, all rights reserved; the Good News Bible: Today’s English Version (TEV), copyright © American Bible Society 1966, 1971, 1976; the Amplified New Testament (AMP), ©The Lockman Foundation 1954, 1958; and the King James Version (KJV).

Bridges, Jerry.

The practice of godliness / Jerry Bridges.

270 p. ; cm.

The Christian character library

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 0-89109-941-7

1. Christian life 1960-. 2. Virtues.

248.4B851pr 1985

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Contents

PREFACE

1 VALUE FOR ALL THINGS 1 Timothy 4:8

2 DEVOTION TO GOD Revelation 15:4

3 TRAIN YOURSELF TO BE GODLY 1 Timothy 4:7

4 SEEKING A DEEPER DEVOTION Psalm 119:10

5 TAKING ON GOD’S CHARACTER Colossians 3:12

6 HUMILITY Luke 18:14

7 CONTENTMENT 1 Timothy 6:6

8 THANKFULNESS Psalm 100:4-5

9 JOY Romans 14:17

10 HOLINESS 1 John 1:5

11 SELF-CONTROL Proverbs 25:28

12 FAITHFULNESS Proverbs 20:6

13 PEACE Romans 12:18

14 PATIENCE Colossians 3:12-13

15 GENTLENESS Galatians 5:22-23, Colossians 3:12

16 KINDNESS AND GOODNESS Galatians 6:10

17 LOVE ...