What do you think?
Rate this book
Christ Formed in You: The Power of the Gospel for Personal Change
The central claim in Christ Formed in You is that it is God s purpose to change us by progressively making us more like Jesus, and that this happens only as we understand and apply the gospel to our lives. In the pages that follow we will explore the transforming power of the gospel from several angles. Part One focuses on the foundations for personal change. We will look at God s ultimate goal in transforming us (Chapter One); the key to transformation, which is the gospel itself (Chapter Two); and the application of the gospel to our lives in three specific ways (Chapters Three, Four, and Five). Part Two then takes up the pattern of personal change. We will explore the captivating beauty of gospel holiness (Chapter Six); with its demands that we both kill sin (Chapter Seven); and grow in grace by the power of the Spirit (Chapter Eight); and the quest for joy that motivates us in this pursuit and strengthens us in the battle for holiness (Chapter Nine). Part Three of the book focuses on the means of personal change, the tools God uses to transform us. These final three chapters, while building on the foundation of the gospel discussed earlier in the book, are the most practical. We will learn how God uses spiritual disciplines (Chapter Ten); suffering (Chapter Eleven); and personal relationships in the body of Christ (Chapter Twelve) to conform us to the image of Christ. In each of these chapters, my aim has been to connect the dots between the gospel, the goal of Christlikeness, and the specific aspect of spirituality under discussion.
304 pages, Paperback
First published November 8, 2010
78 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
About the author
Brian G. Hedges
23 books108 followersBrian G. Hedges is the Lead Pastor of Redeemer Church in Niles, Michigan and the author of multiple books including Christ Formed in You, Christ All Sufficient, Watchfulness: Recovering a Lost Spiritual Discipline, and With Jesus: Finding Your Place in the Story of Christ.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 5, 2022
A really good book! Started it over a year ago, the summer after high school graduation, and have been slowly working through it until now. It's densely packed with Scriptural truths of how the gospel thoroughly works to transforms the lives of Christians.
The book is made up of three main sections - (1) the foundations, (2) the pattern, and (3) the means of personal change. (1) In the foundations for personal change, Brian Hedges explains the process of transformation for a Christian, starting from the broken relationship, going through justification and sanctification and how the gospel is key to all this. (2) Then in the pattern of personal change Hedges writes of four concepts that are central to transformation: holiness, mortification, vivification, and motivation. And lastly, (3) in the means of personal change Hedges explains some instruments God uses to transform us, namely, disciples, suffering, and community.
Whereas all this seems to be pretty "common knowledge" for the average Christian, Brian Hedges presents it in such a way that it brought a fresh reminder of it all for me. Therefore, instead of being a mere reiteration of something I already knew, this gospel-saturated book served as a great encouragement and refresher for me this past year.
The book is made up of three main sections - (1) the foundations, (2) the pattern, and (3) the means of personal change. (1) In the foundations for personal change, Brian Hedges explains the process of transformation for a Christian, starting from the broken relationship, going through justification and sanctification and how the gospel is key to all this. (2) Then in the pattern of personal change Hedges writes of four concepts that are central to transformation: holiness, mortification, vivification, and motivation. And lastly, (3) in the means of personal change Hedges explains some instruments God uses to transform us, namely, disciples, suffering, and community.
Whereas all this seems to be pretty "common knowledge" for the average Christian, Brian Hedges presents it in such a way that it brought a fresh reminder of it all for me. Therefore, instead of being a mere reiteration of something I already knew, this gospel-saturated book served as a great encouragement and refresher for me this past year.
October 17, 2022
More properly 3.5
An able presentation of the gospel and what it's meant to accomplish in a person, but it doesn't offer much beyond that. I do however appreciate its constant use of poetry and hymnic theology as a teaching tool.
An able presentation of the gospel and what it's meant to accomplish in a person, but it doesn't offer much beyond that. I do however appreciate its constant use of poetry and hymnic theology as a teaching tool.
December 18, 2020
Loved this book. It’s been almost four years so I’m thinking into time to read it again.
April 25, 2023
A very good book on how the Gospel forms Christians into the image of Christ! It’s obvious that Hedges is very well read, and because of that, he’s able to draw from the riches of both scripture and believers throughout the history of the Church.
November 20, 2023
Excellent, excellent book. I will definitely work through this again...probably with a friend. This accurately and thoughtful guide you through the ins and outs of practical sanctification. This is on par with Jim Berg's Changed into His Image. Highly recommended.
April 4, 2024
Quite possibly the best book on sanctification I’ve read. Encouraging, simple yet profound, and motivating.
January 6, 2014
This text has solid content and is Biblical in it's message. Unfortunately, I found the writing style to be lacking and the depth to be missing. For those reasons, I returned it after the first couple of chapters.
Anything by Jerry Bridges or Donald Whitney would be a better investment of your time.
Anything by Jerry Bridges or Donald Whitney would be a better investment of your time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2015
Less a book on "How" and more a book on "what". It's nice to know what Substitutionary atonement is, but how can we live this out? I didn't get how to live the principles, but just what they were
February 15, 2020
This information should be essential first truths for every new believer. There is nothing trite or fluffy here. This book is written for the new believer who is quickly ready to progress from milk to meat. Or for the believer who has not been taught these principles through careful, thoughtful, intentional discipleship - so, mostly for every believer (because that kind of discipleship is sadly lacking in most modern church settings). Accessible doctrine and excellent instruction about how the gospel is applied to life. I wish I had had it when I began this journey. It would have saved me a lot of confusion and struggle in understanding the process of sanctification. However, I'm not sure that I would have understood most of it. And that is my criticism. The book begins with all the foundational principles of the gospel, then progresses to include discussions and passages of other works that would be lofty reading for most mature Christians, so it could easily discourage a new believer reading alone. It seems to assume that the context of cited scripture passages are at least familiar to the reader, which might not always be the case. Still, where better to start than to begin with material that does not excuse piddling in the puddles. As I said, it is accessible, but for some, it might be a lot of work and would definitely need to be read alongside a mature believer who could answer myriad questions! I have not seen the study material that goes along with the book. Maybe that facilitates an effective experience in that regard. Essentially, it feels a bit like a book that isn't quite sure of its audience. Still an excellent resource in the right context.
December 1, 2021
Honestly, I found Christ Formed in You to be shoddily written, theologically sloppy (when we wasn’t quoting other people), and overall a waste of time and money. His illustrations sometimes bordered on the non sequituriala, his prose was flippant and empty, and the only original thoughts found in it were always from someone else. He may have been laying out gospel truths, but I just don’t understand why it had to become a book instead of the sermon series I imagine it started as. Books are special things that are supposed to convey the truth and beauty of the human experience, and this felt more like a show where the author said “look, here are all the books that I’ve read.” I can’t actually believe the editor let him get away with quoting other people for multiple pages on end (at least that’s how it was on Kindle). It wasn’t plagiarism because he cited his sources, but it all just felt lazy, and nothing is worse than lazy writing.
April 30, 2021
Great read in discussing the gospel of Jesus Christ in a way that can help with spiritual formation and theological understanding of many important things regarding Christianity. I especially liked the chapter discussing key things that were accomplished at the cross.
I'd recommend this to any Christian who is feeling lukewarm and/or feels like he or she doesn't understand how to live the Christian life well.
I read this book for seminary classes on spiritual disciplines and Christian spirituality.
I'd recommend this to any Christian who is feeling lukewarm and/or feels like he or she doesn't understand how to live the Christian life well.
I read this book for seminary classes on spiritual disciplines and Christian spirituality.
October 28, 2022
A helpful book on how the gospel is not just the beginning of the Christian walk but is its core and the key to personal transformation/change. Growing in conformity to the likeness of Christ requires applying the whole council of the gospel to your life and letting it shape you accordingly. It is the simultaneous work of the Spirit and individual effort. I lost count of how many times Hedges quoted or cited 2 Cor. 3:18.
December 1, 2018
Excellent Resource for Change & Growth
I have read a lot of books on changing and becoming more like Christ, but this was an incredible journey through the various aspects of christlikeness. This will be a book I go back to for myself, but will not hesitate to recommend it to others looking to grow and change.
I have read a lot of books on changing and becoming more like Christ, but this was an incredible journey through the various aspects of christlikeness. This will be a book I go back to for myself, but will not hesitate to recommend it to others looking to grow and change.
June 2, 2022
Really enjoyed this book. Love the focus on how the gospel has practical implication to grow and change people. Author is biblical and yet pastoral which I appreciated. This book serves as a great framework for understanding how people change and the text would be useful in chewing on and implementing in discipleship settings.
April 19, 2020
Read this for seminary, some good stuff in there, didn't love it
January 6, 2021
Absolutely a must read. Whether you are new in your faith or old, this book will encourage you and inform you.
August 2, 2025
This book was so exceptionally helpful and practical about walking out faith in Christ. Anyone at any stage of life could read this and learn something beautiful!
November 11, 2011
Brian Hedges in the lead pastor for Fulkerson Park Baptist Church in Niles, Michigan. This is his first book, but you would not know it. It is well researched, engagingly written and skillfully illustrated with both personal and historical examples. He certainly doesn’t lack for confidence. After listing other writers on the topic of spiritual transformation, from Augustine to Keller, he states his “purpose in this book is to bring these pieces together, presenting a single, unified, gospel-centered vision of how to understand and live the Christian life” (p. 21). Later he writes his “book attempts to bring all these approaches together, presenting a single, unified vision for how to change” (p. 28). I don’t know if he reached that bar, but he has written an excellent book on the subject.
Hedges writes about progressive sanctification (p. 99). He believes that we become more and more like Jesus as we understand and apply the gospel to our lives. Part One (chapters 1-5) focuses on the foundations for personal change (the gospel), Part Two (chapters 6-9) focuses on the pattern of personal change (holiness) and Part Three (chapters 10 -12) focuses on the means of personal change (spiritual disciplines).
In Part One Hedges does an excellent job explaining how the curse is reversed. He takes the reader from creation to sanctification. God’s goal is to restore in us the Imago Dei, and since Christ is true image of God, our transformation comes from beholding the glory of Christ (p. 39) and becoming more like Him. “Ongoing transformation is possible for you. You can become more and more like Jesus Christ. But there is only one way; through your increasing understanding and application of the gospel” (p. 41).
Hedges clearly explains the gospel and how it is the key to transformation (chapter 2). He then demonstrates how justification should impact our approach to transformation (chapter 3). “The doctrine of justification changes our understanding of three things: the basis of our acceptance with God, the motivation for change, and the nature of our obedience” (p. 71).
In Part Two Hedges unpacks the often-neglected concepts of holiness, mortification, vivification and motivation. He acknowledges the influence of John Owen and John Piper on much of his thinking.
In Part Three Hedges gives us what he believes are the three main tools that God uses for our transformation; spiritual disciplines, the difficulties of suffering and trial, and the challenges of personal relationships.
Concerning the spiritual disciplines, he writes, “Living the Christian life is about training, not trying” (p. 192). Spiritual disciplines “are the means God has given us for training to live as Jesus lived. These practices are called disciplines because they involve our deliberate participation in training for the purpose of godliness. They are called spiritual disciplines because their effectiveness depends on the gracious work of the Spirit of God” (p.192). He restricts his discussion of the disciplines to meditating on the Word and prayer.
He calls suffering the “refiner’s fire” and says the key is choosing “to cooperate with the Lord’s perfecting process by responding to suffering in faith” (p. 215). He concludes with a chapter on community (“life together”). There are 27 pages of endnotes and both a General and a Scripture index.
I recommend this very thorough treatment of the subject on spiritual transformation. For those looking for shorter, but just as helpful treatment try, “You Can Change” by Tim Chester.
This book freely provided for review by Shepherd Press and there was no expectation of a positive review.
Hedges writes about progressive sanctification (p. 99). He believes that we become more and more like Jesus as we understand and apply the gospel to our lives. Part One (chapters 1-5) focuses on the foundations for personal change (the gospel), Part Two (chapters 6-9) focuses on the pattern of personal change (holiness) and Part Three (chapters 10 -12) focuses on the means of personal change (spiritual disciplines).
In Part One Hedges does an excellent job explaining how the curse is reversed. He takes the reader from creation to sanctification. God’s goal is to restore in us the Imago Dei, and since Christ is true image of God, our transformation comes from beholding the glory of Christ (p. 39) and becoming more like Him. “Ongoing transformation is possible for you. You can become more and more like Jesus Christ. But there is only one way; through your increasing understanding and application of the gospel” (p. 41).
Hedges clearly explains the gospel and how it is the key to transformation (chapter 2). He then demonstrates how justification should impact our approach to transformation (chapter 3). “The doctrine of justification changes our understanding of three things: the basis of our acceptance with God, the motivation for change, and the nature of our obedience” (p. 71).
In Part Two Hedges unpacks the often-neglected concepts of holiness, mortification, vivification and motivation. He acknowledges the influence of John Owen and John Piper on much of his thinking.
In Part Three Hedges gives us what he believes are the three main tools that God uses for our transformation; spiritual disciplines, the difficulties of suffering and trial, and the challenges of personal relationships.
Concerning the spiritual disciplines, he writes, “Living the Christian life is about training, not trying” (p. 192). Spiritual disciplines “are the means God has given us for training to live as Jesus lived. These practices are called disciplines because they involve our deliberate participation in training for the purpose of godliness. They are called spiritual disciplines because their effectiveness depends on the gracious work of the Spirit of God” (p.192). He restricts his discussion of the disciplines to meditating on the Word and prayer.
He calls suffering the “refiner’s fire” and says the key is choosing “to cooperate with the Lord’s perfecting process by responding to suffering in faith” (p. 215). He concludes with a chapter on community (“life together”). There are 27 pages of endnotes and both a General and a Scripture index.
I recommend this very thorough treatment of the subject on spiritual transformation. For those looking for shorter, but just as helpful treatment try, “You Can Change” by Tim Chester.
This book freely provided for review by Shepherd Press and there was no expectation of a positive review.
July 2, 2011
Far from the two extremes of legalism and license, in 'Christ Formed in You' author Brian G. Hedges not only takes the most important central tenet of the Christian faith - the gospel - and shows the glory of its foundation to the Christian life, but astoundingly he also shows the remarkable true nature of the gospel as both the means and the end of the full Christian life.
That's the main premise of the book anyway. Hedges shows, in so many ways, that the Christian life is - and must be - saturated with a true and deep understanding of the gospel. For the gospel alone has not only the authority to demand the Christian life, but it alone has the power to enable and accomplish it.
This thought is, to be sure, gravely missing from much of the church today. It's as if believers are forced to choose between "cheap grace" and with it a license to sin, or a strict discipline of "obedience" without the foundation of true transformation from within (which, as Scripture teaches, is antithetical to the true Christian life - see, Matt. 23:25-28; Jn. 15:5; Phlp. 3:1-9). But Hedges shows the Biblical alternative!
Obviously, many believers already live this alternative - or want to - but they may not really understand how or why they live this way or why they have this longing to live this way. Brian here shows how and why - and it's always based on Scripture. That's the important thing!
Hedges restores to the Christian community what has been severely lacking in many popular Christian living books today in print: the Gospel! Conservative evangelicals understand that the gospel is our only way to salvation (true enough!). But sadly, it seems that few evangelicals understand that the gospel is also our only way to living out the Christian life. Thankfully, this message is the very entirety of the book.
If you intend to highlight life-impacting parts of the book you can forget it - because you'll run out of highlighters, and you'll just have turned all the pages a different color. I wish this was an exaggeration (for the sake of my hand and highlighter budget), but there isn't a single chapter where I didn't find myself in amazement of the truth of the gospel - in all its beauty - and its powerful, Biblical, Christ-centered nature to affect in us the Christian life.
As Hedges takes us through Scripture, it becomes clear that we are never given a license to sin; and we are never given the impossible requirement to be transformed in and through our own self-effort and self-motivation. Rather we are given the Gospel! We are given Christ Himself. The more we come to know Christ and His gospel the more we are willing and able to live the Christian life in and through His power, because it is He who is formed in us.
Theologically sound, Christ-centered, Spirit-saturated, Biblically-balanced, and pastorally-written: I commend this book to every Christian! I earnestly desire that you read this book, and be changed by God's grace as He opens your mind and heart and life to the wonderful transformation that only His gospel can bring about.
That's the main premise of the book anyway. Hedges shows, in so many ways, that the Christian life is - and must be - saturated with a true and deep understanding of the gospel. For the gospel alone has not only the authority to demand the Christian life, but it alone has the power to enable and accomplish it.
This thought is, to be sure, gravely missing from much of the church today. It's as if believers are forced to choose between "cheap grace" and with it a license to sin, or a strict discipline of "obedience" without the foundation of true transformation from within (which, as Scripture teaches, is antithetical to the true Christian life - see, Matt. 23:25-28; Jn. 15:5; Phlp. 3:1-9). But Hedges shows the Biblical alternative!
Obviously, many believers already live this alternative - or want to - but they may not really understand how or why they live this way or why they have this longing to live this way. Brian here shows how and why - and it's always based on Scripture. That's the important thing!
Hedges restores to the Christian community what has been severely lacking in many popular Christian living books today in print: the Gospel! Conservative evangelicals understand that the gospel is our only way to salvation (true enough!). But sadly, it seems that few evangelicals understand that the gospel is also our only way to living out the Christian life. Thankfully, this message is the very entirety of the book.
If you intend to highlight life-impacting parts of the book you can forget it - because you'll run out of highlighters, and you'll just have turned all the pages a different color. I wish this was an exaggeration (for the sake of my hand and highlighter budget), but there isn't a single chapter where I didn't find myself in amazement of the truth of the gospel - in all its beauty - and its powerful, Biblical, Christ-centered nature to affect in us the Christian life.
As Hedges takes us through Scripture, it becomes clear that we are never given a license to sin; and we are never given the impossible requirement to be transformed in and through our own self-effort and self-motivation. Rather we are given the Gospel! We are given Christ Himself. The more we come to know Christ and His gospel the more we are willing and able to live the Christian life in and through His power, because it is He who is formed in us.
Theologically sound, Christ-centered, Spirit-saturated, Biblically-balanced, and pastorally-written: I commend this book to every Christian! I earnestly desire that you read this book, and be changed by God's grace as He opens your mind and heart and life to the wonderful transformation that only His gospel can bring about.
December 22, 2023
One of the best books on the Christian life and sanctification that I've ever read. Can't recommend enough.
November 29, 2025
The goal of personal change is to restore God’s broken image to Christ. We can change by the gospel of Christ’s death, resurrection, and exaltation. We must repent and believe in Christ. Justification cancels the curse. Regeneration begins to cure the heart. Progressive sanctification reduces the gap between our holiness in Christ and our practice. Holiness is beautiful and demands we mortify the flesh. We grow in holiness through a lifelong, active, imitation of Christ. For transformation, the goal is Christ’s image, the motive is God’s mercy, and the cost is us. The process is mind renewal, and the power is the Spirit. Spiritual growth is relational, conflicting, internal, symmetrical, and supernatural. We pursue holiness for joy. God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. We fight sin by remembering God’s promises. God’s tools of transformation are the spiritual disciplines, hard circumstances, and relationships. The two most foundational spiritual disciplines are meditation on Scripture and prayer. Meditation is listening to God speak through his word for transformation. It is a bridge between reading and praying, the mind and heart, and hearing and doing. Prayer is when we talk to God informed by his word. We are to combine inward, outward, and corporate disciplines. God uses suffering to teach his word, wean from idols, and discipline. He uses it to test and purify faith, increase usefulness, and prepare for glory. God grows us through relationships in community, especially the church. We are to get together, show love, share truth, confront sin, and stir up.
July 5, 2012
Hedges's bookshelves must look very similar to mine. I admit, that actually made the book's early going more difficult for me. Instead of appreciating the reminders of truth about salvation and sanctification, I found it difficult to get traction among the familiar quotes. But this is not Hedges fault. He starts with a simple foundation because he knows it's the only foundation we can build on. My only critique would be that Hedges could form a sharpen thesis and roadmap early on. But the book moves forward and builds to a strong finish. Hedges may not offer unique answers, but his answers are sound and biblical. It's certainly worth the read.
November 23, 2011
If you have ever puzzled over the process of how the gospel transforms daily life, this is a good read for you. Hedges lays out the process and plan for sanctification through the gospel in an easy to read style. He is also very thorough. I slowed the pace of my reading considerably in the middle of the book, I just found it tough to get through the material but I immensely enjoyed the last two chapters on suffering and community. Read this book!
April 4, 2015
If we are saved by grace, why obey God? Or, put another way, how do we reconcile verses that we are saved by grace with commands to obey and be holy? This book doors a great job of answering that question. It is filled with scripture, quotes, and illustrations describing the proper motivations and inner power to follow the living God.
July 10, 2015
This book has a good premise but never seems to find its feet. Perhaps it is an issue of flow, perhaps it is a matter of an excessive use of quotations, or perhaps it is another reason altogether. The book isn't bad, but after finishing it it feels average, and it is hard to look back and pinpoint specific things I learned from it.
January 20, 2016
Amazing book - I took an entire month to work through the book because of the vast number of bible references contained in the text. Very powerful treatment of framing the gospel through justification and continued santification - i.e., the "good news" is not only about being in a saved state, but also a transforming state that is progressive in holiness throughout life. Highly recommend.
August 3, 2013
A very comprehensive book on how the Gospel shapes and transforms our identity and being! It can get a bit dry at times, but there's a lot of good nuggets of wisdom in there! It was a bit on the longer side and hard to get through, but a decent book overall.
March 13, 2014
A great book that systematically goes through the basics of spiritual growth. Great for personal reading or as a group as we did. Definitely recommend!
February 19, 2016
Great content. Writing style was a little dry, though.
Read
December 6, 2017Awesome Book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews