Acting the Miracle [eBook]

God’s Work and Ours in the Mystery of Sanctification

Sanc●ti●fi●ca●tion  |  noun  |  ˌsaŋ(k)-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən
: a big word for the little-by-little progress of the everyday Christian life

Fighting sin is not easy. No one ever coasted into greater godliness. Christian growth takes effort. But we are not left alone. God loves to work the miracle of sanctification within us as we struggle for daily progress in holiness. With contributions from Kevin DeYoung, John Piper, Ed Welch, Russell Moore, David Mathis, and Jarvis Williams, this invigorating book will help you say no to the deception of sin and yes to true joy in Jesus.

John Piper (DTheol, University of Munich) is teacher and founder of Desiring God and chancellor of Bethlehem College and Seminary. He served for over 30 years as pastor for preaching and vision at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis and is author of more than 50 books, including the bestseller Desiring God.

David Mathis is executive editor for John Piper and desiringgod.org. He is also an elder at Bethlehem Baptist Church and has coedited a number of other volumes with Piper including Thinking. Loving. Doing.

“I love this book. One meets real holiness here and it has real drawing power. C. S. Lewis said it well when he quipped, ‘How little people know who think holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing, it is irresistible.’ The content in these chapters awakened within me a deeper hungering and thirsting for righteousness. I pray it will cause those same hunger pangs to spread so that many more will taste and see that the Holy One Himself is an irresistible treasure.”
—Jason C. Meyer, Pastor for Preaching and Vision, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota

“The Reformed view of sanctification has resonated with me for a long time. More importantly, it is biblically rooted, realistic, hopeful, and doesn’t fall into the error of perfectionism. Now we have a wonderfully accessible presentation of the reformed view of sanctification. The scriptural support for a progressive view of sanctification is persuasively made. The realistic struggle that characterizes our lives is set forth, and the hope we have in Christ Jesus is proclaimed. I was encouraged and convicted in reading this work.”
—Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“A great combination of theological insight and practical advice on one of the most important of all Christian doctrines.”
—Douglas J. Moo, Wessner Chair of Biblical Studies, Wheaton College

“The Reformed and evangelical mind has recently concentrated much attention on the doctrines of justification and adoption, with many salutary effects. In some instances, however, concentration has degenerated into myopia, resulting in the distortion of the doctrine of sanctification. The present collection of essays is a helpful remedy to this situation. With chapters that are richly biblical, Christ-centered, and humane, Acting the Miracle refocuses our attention on the place and purpose of sanctification among the manifold works of the triune God. Readers will find this book both theologically and pastorally satisfying.”
—Scott R. Swain, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and Academic Dean, 
Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, Florida

“This book is theologically informed and pastorally wise. It helpfully distinguishes and defines definitive and progressive sanctification, and it shrewdly shows how to approach Christian living without being reductionistic.”
—Andy Naselli, Assistant Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology, Bethlehem College and Seminary, Minneapolis