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Growing Gospel Integrity #2
Worthy: Living in Light of the Gospel
Written by Theologian Sinclair Ferguson, the Second Book in the Growing Gospel Integrity Series Explores the Christian’s Call to Christlikeness
While Jesus offers forgiveness for believers who sin, Scripture makes it clear that Christians are to pursue obedience and holiness. So what does it mean to walk in a manner that’s “worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil. 1:27), and how should that look in the life of a Christ follower?
In this short, accessible guide, theologian Sinclair Ferguson explains the importance of living worthy of the gospel, why the principle is often forgotten, and how it’s cultivated. Clarifying the difference between biblical obedience and legalism, Ferguson exhorts believers to pursue Christlikeness, offering practical examples from Scripture. The second book of the Growing Gospel Integrity series, Worthy helps Christians, students, pastors, and those preparing for ministry to live as citizens of heaven rather than citizens of the world.
While Jesus offers forgiveness for believers who sin, Scripture makes it clear that Christians are to pursue obedience and holiness. So what does it mean to walk in a manner that’s “worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil. 1:27), and how should that look in the life of a Christ follower?
In this short, accessible guide, theologian Sinclair Ferguson explains the importance of living worthy of the gospel, why the principle is often forgotten, and how it’s cultivated. Clarifying the difference between biblical obedience and legalism, Ferguson exhorts believers to pursue Christlikeness, offering practical examples from Scripture. The second book of the Growing Gospel Integrity series, Worthy helps Christians, students, pastors, and those preparing for ministry to live as citizens of heaven rather than citizens of the world.
128 pages, Paperback
Published May 3, 2023
18 people are currently reading
301 people want to read
About the author
Sinclair B. Ferguson
218 books555 followersSinclair B. Ferguson is Associate Preacher at St Peter's Free Church in Dundee and also Distinguished Visiting Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, South Carolina and prior to that, he was minister of St. George's-Tron Church in Glasgow.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
July 19, 2023
Includes a fascinating discussion on the role that Stephen’s whole life—not just his martyrdom speech in Acts 7—may have played in Saul’s conversion.
April 25, 2024
This short book is an absolute gem. I have listened to it twice as an audiobook and purchased a number of physical copies to give to friends.
Sinclair Ferguson is such a masterful teacher of God's word. He is able to infuse what he does with such biblical clarity, theological depth, pastoral insight and genuine warmth.
And in the case of "worthy", he brings vitality and brevity to what is a seemingly neglected sphere of the Christian life, namely personal godliness, the gospel-forged walk of a worthy life. (Certainly in conservative evangelical Sydney the call to "be" and "become" can become swamped by a conceptualised "believe" and systematised "do".)
I'm itching to read the physical copy. You should read this or listen to it to better understand AND strive for a grace-wrought life of faithfulness in thought, word and deed.
It's only just big enough to be a book - about 30 pages too big to be a booklet. It won't take you long to read. But, despite its brevity, you will find this little volume has the weight to linger in your mind. Do it.
Thank you (again!), Sinclair!
Sinclair Ferguson is such a masterful teacher of God's word. He is able to infuse what he does with such biblical clarity, theological depth, pastoral insight and genuine warmth.
And in the case of "worthy", he brings vitality and brevity to what is a seemingly neglected sphere of the Christian life, namely personal godliness, the gospel-forged walk of a worthy life. (Certainly in conservative evangelical Sydney the call to "be" and "become" can become swamped by a conceptualised "believe" and systematised "do".)
I'm itching to read the physical copy. You should read this or listen to it to better understand AND strive for a grace-wrought life of faithfulness in thought, word and deed.
It's only just big enough to be a book - about 30 pages too big to be a booklet. It won't take you long to read. But, despite its brevity, you will find this little volume has the weight to linger in your mind. Do it.
Thank you (again!), Sinclair!
June 29, 2023
Excellent! I love reading Ferguson. His depth and ability to peel back layers on the gospel is incredible.
July 24, 2023
A rich meditation on the imperatives of the Christian life and how they are rotted in our Union with Christ.
May 19, 2023
Dr. Ferguson is one of my favorite writers and I definitely appreciated this book. It emphasizes humility in a way that is convicting, challenging, and encouraging. This short, but thorough read is thoughtfully written. Definitely better suited for someone who has been a believer for a bit, but could be good to go through as a mentor/mentee read as well.
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October 25, 2023Good stuff. Reminded me of reading Eugene Peterson. Here's a couple quotes:
"When his brothers visit Egypt in the years of famine and fail to realize that the prime minister with whom they must deal is actually their brother, there is no immediae blurting out of his identity on Joseph's part. There's no 'It's me, Joseph! I told you so!' as they bow down before him. There is only a patient, wise, caring dealing with them that, in its own way, leads to their transformation and ultimately to the restoration of family fellowship."
--- (I love this insight in the literary contrast from the beginng of Joseph's story when he does blurt out disrespectfully, which leads to his "death," but now his wise reserve lead's to his brothers' life. Incredible.)
"Preaching is not merely information being communicated by word of mouth. The exposition of a passage of Scripture is not intended to be a popular-level commentary in spoken form but an encounter with the God who speaks."
"The New Testament gives us virtually no advice about how to witness to Jesus Christ. Yet who can doubt the impact of the witness of the early church—all, apparently, without books, DVDs, TV programs, the Internet, or entire organizations and seminars led by experts. What explains the difference? Why in the West do we need to devise techniques for witnessing to Christ? Perhaps the simple answer is that we have not lived in a way that is worthy of the gospel of Christ. We have had all too little of the lifestyle, the atmosphere, or the accent of heaven, where Christ is."
"When his brothers visit Egypt in the years of famine and fail to realize that the prime minister with whom they must deal is actually their brother, there is no immediae blurting out of his identity on Joseph's part. There's no 'It's me, Joseph! I told you so!' as they bow down before him. There is only a patient, wise, caring dealing with them that, in its own way, leads to their transformation and ultimately to the restoration of family fellowship."
--- (I love this insight in the literary contrast from the beginng of Joseph's story when he does blurt out disrespectfully, which leads to his "death," but now his wise reserve lead's to his brothers' life. Incredible.)
"Preaching is not merely information being communicated by word of mouth. The exposition of a passage of Scripture is not intended to be a popular-level commentary in spoken form but an encounter with the God who speaks."
"The New Testament gives us virtually no advice about how to witness to Jesus Christ. Yet who can doubt the impact of the witness of the early church—all, apparently, without books, DVDs, TV programs, the Internet, or entire organizations and seminars led by experts. What explains the difference? Why in the West do we need to devise techniques for witnessing to Christ? Perhaps the simple answer is that we have not lived in a way that is worthy of the gospel of Christ. We have had all too little of the lifestyle, the atmosphere, or the accent of heaven, where Christ is."
May 22, 2024
Such an important topic and one that I struggle with a lot! I am quick to self-deprecate which betrays a heart that believes in its own worthy and/or unworthiness apart from Christ. What does it mean then to live a life worthy of the Gospel as Paul makes mention of in the Epistles? Ferguson unpacks this weighty idea and concludes that the worthy life is a life that becomes a connecting link between the Savior and others which simply put is a life marked by humility, humility, humility.
“Jesus shows us that living in a way that is “worthy” of the gospel means being willing to take the servant’s role of kneeling before others and washing their dirty feet, with our hands of love. It means being far more interested in giving ourselves to others than in having a position among them. That’s what Jesus was like—He came not to be served but to serve and to give His life for others.”
“Jesus shows us that living in a way that is “worthy” of the gospel means being willing to take the servant’s role of kneeling before others and washing their dirty feet, with our hands of love. It means being far more interested in giving ourselves to others than in having a position among them. That’s what Jesus was like—He came not to be served but to serve and to give His life for others.”
July 6, 2023
First book I’ve read by Sinclair Ferguson! One of those guys I’ve seen write a lot of endorsements for books, but I had never read any of his stuff. It started a little slow because he was setting the stage for what he would talk about, but the last couple of chapters were amazing. The way he talks about identity in Christ and how that impacts our daily living for him was incredibly stirring. Also, a very short book! Would recommend!
July 20, 2023
4.5. Felt a little the same as the previous book in the series on Humility, but it’s coming at things from a different angle. Would hand to someone who wanted to read something reasonably quick and moderately deep, or who was hung up on the “live worthy” passages of Scripture. Classic Fergie.
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October 5, 2024Highly recommend!!
February 25, 2025
Excellent! It was a joy to read! Very encouraging to my soul. A must read for sure especially considering how short it is.
March 3, 2025
Convicting. Chapter 4 talks about biblical imitation and how quick we are to try and clone ourselves to be a Christian we look up to I.e. a Pastor or mentor and how that view of imitation actually causes the person to cease to be the person God calls you to be. Definitely gonna be coming back to this book.
July 26, 2023
“Gospel integrity is, I suggest, the greatest and most vital need of the church today. More than moral behavior and orthodox beliefs, this integrity that we need is a complete alignment of our heads, our hearts, and our lives with the truths of the gospel.”
“The basic idea is that a life that is worthy of the gospel of Christ expresses in the form of a lifestyle what the gospel teaches in the form of a message. Such a life takes on a character that reflects the character of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
“The basic idea is that a life that is worthy of the gospel of Christ expresses in the form of a lifestyle what the gospel teaches in the form of a message. Such a life takes on a character that reflects the character of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
June 21, 2023
This short book, by respected theologian Sinclair Ferguson, is part of a short series of books devised by Michael Reeves on the basis of Paul’s words in Philippians 1:27–2:3. This book both introduces and summarizes their main theme.
The title of the book comes from verse 1:27, which reads in part:
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ
Ferguson tells us that being worthy is a sure mark of Jesus’s disciples. He tells us that to “live worthy of the gospel of Christ” does not rank high on the priority lists of the twenty-first-century church, but the Apostle Paul placed it high on his priority list.
Ferguson tells us that a life that is worthy of the gospel of Christ expresses itself in the form of a lifestyle what the gospel teaches in the form of a message. Such a life takes on a character that reflects the character of the Lord Jesus Christ. Living “worthy of the gospel of Christ” is not a matter of techniques. It involves the development of Christian character. It’s about who and what we become in Christ.
Ferguson writes that humility is the mark of the worthy life because it is an authentic imitation of Christ. He tells us that the way we become worthy is by imitating Jesus, both consciously and unconsciously, by growing down in our estimation of ourselves so that we may grow up in humility.
The author covers a number of subjects in this book including indicatives and imperatives, deconstruction and reconstruction, the preached word, providence, biblical imitation, a gospel aroma, and participation in Christ’s sufferings. Ferguson addresses the stories of Joseph, as well as Paul and Timothy - the latter of which was a model of a life that is worthy of the gospel because he shared the mindset of Christ – and Saul and Stephen – the latter of which impacted Saul with his triumphant death and the Christlikeness of his life.
Ferguson tells us that at the end of the day, only what is Christlike in your life and character will last for eternity. The worthy life is a life that becomes a connecting link between the Savior and others. In summary, to be “worthy of the gospel of Christ” means becoming more like Jesus himself.
I really enjoyed this book about a life that is worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Here are some helpful quotes from the book:
• God’s indicatives are the foundation for all of his imperatives; his resources are the source of our transformation.
• If we are in Christ, then here is the truth about us: We are no longer under the dominion of sin. We have been set free from it in Christ.
• The person whose life is worthy of the gospel walks spiritually with both feet in a balanced way: a negative step (Do not be conformed . . .) and a positive step (Do be transformed . . .).
• Deconstruction and reconstruction—this is the divine pattern of transformation.
• Our heavenly Father intends to make us like his incarnate Son, transforming us into his likeness.
• God’s simple “purpose” is that we should be “conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Rom. 8:28–29). That is what it means to be “worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
• Think of it: you can never be more justified than you were the moment you trusted Christ! The greatest saint is no more justified than the newest believer! That justification is sure; it is perfect; it is irreversible; it is therefore final. It is guaranteed!
• Character doesn’t just appear out of nowhere; it is the result of God’s refining our lives through tribulation—and, yes, even suffering.
• When we hear the word of God expounded in the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, we are listening to the voice of the Good Shepherd himself calling his sheep.
• To “be worthy” involves sharing “the mind [or as we might say, mindset] of Christ Jesus.”
• Biblical imitation means recognizing patterns and principles and building them into the way we ourselves do things.
• Our transformation into the likeness of Jesus Christ has been God’s purpose for us from before the dawn of creation. It is central to his purposes for us. And he will stop at nothing to accomplish it.
• The life that is worthy of the gospel inevitably leaves behind a gospel aroma, the scent of the Lord Jesus.
• What matters is not our prominence but our being faithful in the place and at the time God assigns to us.
• Being a Christian involves participation in Christ’s sufferings but also sharing in his triumphs. Since this is what it was like for God’s Son, this is what it will also be like for those who are being “conformed to the image of his Son.” There is no other way to reflect him.
The title of the book comes from verse 1:27, which reads in part:
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ
Ferguson tells us that being worthy is a sure mark of Jesus’s disciples. He tells us that to “live worthy of the gospel of Christ” does not rank high on the priority lists of the twenty-first-century church, but the Apostle Paul placed it high on his priority list.
Ferguson tells us that a life that is worthy of the gospel of Christ expresses itself in the form of a lifestyle what the gospel teaches in the form of a message. Such a life takes on a character that reflects the character of the Lord Jesus Christ. Living “worthy of the gospel of Christ” is not a matter of techniques. It involves the development of Christian character. It’s about who and what we become in Christ.
Ferguson writes that humility is the mark of the worthy life because it is an authentic imitation of Christ. He tells us that the way we become worthy is by imitating Jesus, both consciously and unconsciously, by growing down in our estimation of ourselves so that we may grow up in humility.
The author covers a number of subjects in this book including indicatives and imperatives, deconstruction and reconstruction, the preached word, providence, biblical imitation, a gospel aroma, and participation in Christ’s sufferings. Ferguson addresses the stories of Joseph, as well as Paul and Timothy - the latter of which was a model of a life that is worthy of the gospel because he shared the mindset of Christ – and Saul and Stephen – the latter of which impacted Saul with his triumphant death and the Christlikeness of his life.
Ferguson tells us that at the end of the day, only what is Christlike in your life and character will last for eternity. The worthy life is a life that becomes a connecting link between the Savior and others. In summary, to be “worthy of the gospel of Christ” means becoming more like Jesus himself.
I really enjoyed this book about a life that is worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Here are some helpful quotes from the book:
• God’s indicatives are the foundation for all of his imperatives; his resources are the source of our transformation.
• If we are in Christ, then here is the truth about us: We are no longer under the dominion of sin. We have been set free from it in Christ.
• The person whose life is worthy of the gospel walks spiritually with both feet in a balanced way: a negative step (Do not be conformed . . .) and a positive step (Do be transformed . . .).
• Deconstruction and reconstruction—this is the divine pattern of transformation.
• Our heavenly Father intends to make us like his incarnate Son, transforming us into his likeness.
• God’s simple “purpose” is that we should be “conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Rom. 8:28–29). That is what it means to be “worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
• Think of it: you can never be more justified than you were the moment you trusted Christ! The greatest saint is no more justified than the newest believer! That justification is sure; it is perfect; it is irreversible; it is therefore final. It is guaranteed!
• Character doesn’t just appear out of nowhere; it is the result of God’s refining our lives through tribulation—and, yes, even suffering.
• When we hear the word of God expounded in the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, we are listening to the voice of the Good Shepherd himself calling his sheep.
• To “be worthy” involves sharing “the mind [or as we might say, mindset] of Christ Jesus.”
• Biblical imitation means recognizing patterns and principles and building them into the way we ourselves do things.
• Our transformation into the likeness of Jesus Christ has been God’s purpose for us from before the dawn of creation. It is central to his purposes for us. And he will stop at nothing to accomplish it.
• The life that is worthy of the gospel inevitably leaves behind a gospel aroma, the scent of the Lord Jesus.
• What matters is not our prominence but our being faithful in the place and at the time God assigns to us.
• Being a Christian involves participation in Christ’s sufferings but also sharing in his triumphs. Since this is what it was like for God’s Son, this is what it will also be like for those who are being “conformed to the image of his Son.” There is no other way to reflect him.
March 1, 2025
I loved every word of this book.
I’m a huge fan of Sinclair Ferguson—so much so that one of my future children will have the middle name Sinclair! But on a more serious note, even if you’ve heard these truths a thousand times, they remain just as true as when you first heard them. And if this book’s message is new to you, prepare your heart and mind.
Sinclair not only writes in a convicting and gracious manner, but his writing is also deeply aligned with biblical truth.
He begins by reminding us that “there is no true Christian integrity without humility.” He further emphasizes that “every mouth is shut in the presence of the Holy God of heaven, for we are all guilty and unworthy.” Yet, because we are saved by God’s grace, we are able to live worthily, unitedly, courageously, and humbly.
Ferguson uses Scripture to deepen our understanding of what it means to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel, reminding us that our lives should embody that very good news.
He also references the Shorter Catechism, which teaches that living a life worthy of the Gospel means becoming someone who knows what it truly means “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
Throughout the book, Ferguson draws from personal experiences (including a touching example involving his sons that brought tears to my eyes), as well as insights from C.S. Lewis and B.B. Warfield, to help us understand what it means to live a worthy life. He makes it clear that this is not a book of legalism or rules to follow but rather an exploration of how, as children of God, we should desire to live and respond, regardless of our circumstances.
“The Gospel embeds deep patterns in our lives.”
This quote hit me hard. It’s a powerful reminder of why we need to preach the Gospel to ourselves every day, as if we’ve never heard it before. We must remind ourselves that, as children of God, we are no longer under the domain of sin. Even in the midst of temptation, remembering this truth has helped me turn toward God and away from worldly desires. As Ferguson writes, “To fail to think this way about myself is to suffer from a loss of my spiritual identity. No wonder, then, if I fail to live a life worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I have had a truncated understanding of what that Gospel has accomplished.” He continues, “Fundamental to a life worthy of the Gospel is knowing who we are in Christ.”
Ferguson also points out that many self-help books focus more on us than on God and Christian character. They’re heavy on doing, light on being, and often forget the ultimate Being. With that in mind, we must be careful to not only ask, “How do I do this?” but also, “What has God done to make this possible?” Remember, “the indicative leads to the imperative. God’s grace is always the foundation and motivation for our obedience.”
He goes on to say that our Good Shepherd renews our minds, exposes our sin so we can see, feel, and confess it, and enables us to experience its forgiveness. God can and will heal our hearts and strengthen us to live for His glory—to live a life worthy of the Gospel.
Ferguson prompted me to ask myself, “What aroma will you leave behind for the Kingdom?”
I’m a huge fan of Sinclair Ferguson—so much so that one of my future children will have the middle name Sinclair! But on a more serious note, even if you’ve heard these truths a thousand times, they remain just as true as when you first heard them. And if this book’s message is new to you, prepare your heart and mind.
Sinclair not only writes in a convicting and gracious manner, but his writing is also deeply aligned with biblical truth.
He begins by reminding us that “there is no true Christian integrity without humility.” He further emphasizes that “every mouth is shut in the presence of the Holy God of heaven, for we are all guilty and unworthy.” Yet, because we are saved by God’s grace, we are able to live worthily, unitedly, courageously, and humbly.
Ferguson uses Scripture to deepen our understanding of what it means to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel, reminding us that our lives should embody that very good news.
He also references the Shorter Catechism, which teaches that living a life worthy of the Gospel means becoming someone who knows what it truly means “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
Throughout the book, Ferguson draws from personal experiences (including a touching example involving his sons that brought tears to my eyes), as well as insights from C.S. Lewis and B.B. Warfield, to help us understand what it means to live a worthy life. He makes it clear that this is not a book of legalism or rules to follow but rather an exploration of how, as children of God, we should desire to live and respond, regardless of our circumstances.
“The Gospel embeds deep patterns in our lives.”
This quote hit me hard. It’s a powerful reminder of why we need to preach the Gospel to ourselves every day, as if we’ve never heard it before. We must remind ourselves that, as children of God, we are no longer under the domain of sin. Even in the midst of temptation, remembering this truth has helped me turn toward God and away from worldly desires. As Ferguson writes, “To fail to think this way about myself is to suffer from a loss of my spiritual identity. No wonder, then, if I fail to live a life worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I have had a truncated understanding of what that Gospel has accomplished.” He continues, “Fundamental to a life worthy of the Gospel is knowing who we are in Christ.”
Ferguson also points out that many self-help books focus more on us than on God and Christian character. They’re heavy on doing, light on being, and often forget the ultimate Being. With that in mind, we must be careful to not only ask, “How do I do this?” but also, “What has God done to make this possible?” Remember, “the indicative leads to the imperative. God’s grace is always the foundation and motivation for our obedience.”
He goes on to say that our Good Shepherd renews our minds, exposes our sin so we can see, feel, and confess it, and enables us to experience its forgiveness. God can and will heal our hearts and strengthen us to live for His glory—to live a life worthy of the Gospel.
Ferguson prompted me to ask myself, “What aroma will you leave behind for the Kingdom?”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2023
"Worthy" talked about how we live in response to the good news of the gospel. From page 3, "So the gospel teaches us we are unworthy. We are saved by grace, not by worth. Yet Paul prioritized our responsibility to live in a worthy manner" (page 3).
The author started by explaining why this doesn't mean legalism and that the original word translated "worthy" in Phil. 1:27 means "in keeping with." "Such a life takes on a character that reflects the character of the Lord Jesus Christ" (page 8). And "...knowing Christ as Savior and knowing him as Lord can never be separated; nor can justification and sanctification" (page 7). He talked about how people in the USA hear his Scottish accent and know he's not from around here. Likewise, "...their real citizenship was in the kingdom of God; they should live that out....and if they did, people...would find themselves asking: 'Where are you really from? There's something about you...'" (page 13).
He also looked at Greek grammar and showed how we often get the fact and the command backwards. In the Bible, we're given a fact and the command flows from that fact. Not 'do your best' (command) leading to 'then God will save you' (fact) but the fact that "'Christ died for our sins' (1 Cor. 15:3), leads to the command, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved' (Acts 16.31)" from page 25. Anyway, I found that part very interesting and not difficult to follow, though it's hard to summarize. Overall, I found it very easy to follow the points that the author was making, and it's in a conversational tone. I'd recommend this to anyone interested in pursuing Christlikeness.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through Amazon Vine.
The author started by explaining why this doesn't mean legalism and that the original word translated "worthy" in Phil. 1:27 means "in keeping with." "Such a life takes on a character that reflects the character of the Lord Jesus Christ" (page 8). And "...knowing Christ as Savior and knowing him as Lord can never be separated; nor can justification and sanctification" (page 7). He talked about how people in the USA hear his Scottish accent and know he's not from around here. Likewise, "...their real citizenship was in the kingdom of God; they should live that out....and if they did, people...would find themselves asking: 'Where are you really from? There's something about you...'" (page 13).
He also looked at Greek grammar and showed how we often get the fact and the command backwards. In the Bible, we're given a fact and the command flows from that fact. Not 'do your best' (command) leading to 'then God will save you' (fact) but the fact that "'Christ died for our sins' (1 Cor. 15:3), leads to the command, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved' (Acts 16.31)" from page 25. Anyway, I found that part very interesting and not difficult to follow, though it's hard to summarize. Overall, I found it very easy to follow the points that the author was making, and it's in a conversational tone. I'd recommend this to anyone interested in pursuing Christlikeness.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through Amazon Vine.
May 1, 2023
This is a short book that can be read in a couple of hours. Its length is not a reflection of the importance of the topic, however. Paul urges us to live a life worthy of the gospel. (Phil. 1:27) What does that mean and how does it happen?
We shouldn't think that this use of worthy means we must behave a certain way to get God's approval. The Greek, axios, has the sense of equivalence. The idea is that our lives should be in keeping with the gospel. Rather than a performance issue, it is living life from our new identity in Christ. Our new identity is to be the basis of everything we do. Life is a reflection of Jesus and flows from our Christlikeness.
This is not a how to book. It is rather a meditation on living a life reflecting the gospel and Christ. Ferguson helps us see how God works in our lives to bring this about, by His providence and by His Word. Our model is Jesus. An essential element is humility. We are given the example of Paul and his focus to know Christ and be like Him. (Phil. 3:8,10) Everything else is loss.
This little book is a good encouragement to live a life reflecting the character of Jesus. That means focusing on knowing Him and becoming like Him. It is a life long venture.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
We shouldn't think that this use of worthy means we must behave a certain way to get God's approval. The Greek, axios, has the sense of equivalence. The idea is that our lives should be in keeping with the gospel. Rather than a performance issue, it is living life from our new identity in Christ. Our new identity is to be the basis of everything we do. Life is a reflection of Jesus and flows from our Christlikeness.
This is not a how to book. It is rather a meditation on living a life reflecting the gospel and Christ. Ferguson helps us see how God works in our lives to bring this about, by His providence and by His Word. Our model is Jesus. An essential element is humility. We are given the example of Paul and his focus to know Christ and be like Him. (Phil. 3:8,10) Everything else is loss.
This little book is a good encouragement to live a life reflecting the character of Jesus. That means focusing on knowing Him and becoming like Him. It is a life long venture.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
May 17, 2023
Worthy of the gospel of Christ means being restored to the image of God so that we begin to reflect the character of the Lord Jesus.
A loaded statement that takes a lifetime. Worthy is not a self-help but knowing your identity in Christ. The study breaks it down. It starts with being aware of what it means. Is it important to our faith? How we know God and how God deals with us. How we become changed by being worthy. A mindset that leads to a life living the gospel.
Living in the integrity of the gospel can mean different things. I did think about how we make the gospel a means to an end. How we do that in relationships and how even our children respond to that. Do we give the ideal that if our children behave that they will get something. By misbehaving
do we withhold our love? I love how this study answers questions but also encourages critical thinking on questions we should be asking. A study that will strengthen your faith.
A special thank you to Crossway Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
A loaded statement that takes a lifetime. Worthy is not a self-help but knowing your identity in Christ. The study breaks it down. It starts with being aware of what it means. Is it important to our faith? How we know God and how God deals with us. How we become changed by being worthy. A mindset that leads to a life living the gospel.
Living in the integrity of the gospel can mean different things. I did think about how we make the gospel a means to an end. How we do that in relationships and how even our children respond to that. Do we give the ideal that if our children behave that they will get something. By misbehaving
do we withhold our love? I love how this study answers questions but also encourages critical thinking on questions we should be asking. A study that will strengthen your faith.
A special thank you to Crossway Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
November 5, 2023
Excellent, accessible book on a theology subject that should be communicated clearly to all believers, but is often shelved out of fear of being misunderstood. The fact Paul repeats this in many of his letters shows how vital walking worthy of the gospel is in the life of every believer!
I appreciate how Ferguson can be succinct yet clear to the average believer:
““Living “worthy of the gospel of Christ” is not a matter of techniques. It involves the development of Christian character. It’s about who and what we become in Christ. It is a slow, all-demanding, and arduous process. The easier and quicker option seems to be to learn how to get your life together and how to do things successfully. But to live worthy is much more a matter of living the life of the heavenly world while you are still here on earth; in the oft quoted and justly famous words of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, it means to become someone who knows what it means “to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.” (P. 26)
I appreciate how Ferguson can be succinct yet clear to the average believer:
““Living “worthy of the gospel of Christ” is not a matter of techniques. It involves the development of Christian character. It’s about who and what we become in Christ. It is a slow, all-demanding, and arduous process. The easier and quicker option seems to be to learn how to get your life together and how to do things successfully. But to live worthy is much more a matter of living the life of the heavenly world while you are still here on earth; in the oft quoted and justly famous words of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, it means to become someone who knows what it means “to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.” (P. 26)
October 21, 2022
Sinclair Ferguson is always worth reading. He packs a lot of thoughtful and applicable teaching into this little book (part of a short series associated with Union School of Theology over in GB). He relies mostly on Philippians to discuss what it means to live in a manner worthy of the gospel, though he explores elsewhere in the NT as well. Ferguson does an excellent job of balancing both the absolute need to live in a worthy manner and also the certain reality that we are made worthy in Christ.
In fact, Ferguson might be the best writer I've seen treat this balance of indicative and imperative. He does it superbly in The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance—Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters as well.
In fact, Ferguson might be the best writer I've seen treat this balance of indicative and imperative. He does it superbly in The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance—Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters as well.
June 27, 2023
"Certainly too many Christians have suffered from a “conditional” sense of acceptance with God—as though his love for us is ultimately dependent on how well we perform. God then becomes like a schoolmaster to be pleased by a satisfactory performance, or a policeman who makes sure we are keeping the laws, whereas the gospel is about his grace, because it comes from “the God of all grace” (1 Pet. 5:10)."
This short book invites the believer back to a life of integrity, one worthy of the calling we've been given. While it's a bit more on the academic side, it's a compelling and important message for believers.
# of pages: 128 pages
level of difficulty: moderate
my rating: 4 stars
Thanks to net galley and the publisher for the ARC and for the opportunity to post an honest review.
This short book invites the believer back to a life of integrity, one worthy of the calling we've been given. While it's a bit more on the academic side, it's a compelling and important message for believers.
# of pages: 128 pages
level of difficulty: moderate
my rating: 4 stars
Thanks to net galley and the publisher for the ARC and for the opportunity to post an honest review.
December 8, 2023
Discover the true essence of walking worthy of Christ through this short, thought-provoking book.
This book successfully strikes a balance between easy-to-read and engaging deep theology. I really appreciated how the author approached well-known bible verses and narratives from a fresh perspective, offering new insights into stories like Joseph (Genesis) and Stephen (Acts) that we might consider "worn-out tales."
This book successfully strikes a balance between easy-to-read and engaging deep theology. I really appreciated how the author approached well-known bible verses and narratives from a fresh perspective, offering new insights into stories like Joseph (Genesis) and Stephen (Acts) that we might consider "worn-out tales."
February 18, 2024
Excellent book. But what else would I expect from Sinclair Ferguson?! It's a great introduction to a sorely needed topic in Christianity. What is it to be worthy? Ferguson lays out practical and theologically rich paths to find worthiness and live out that worthiness in our lives. There are some immensely practical help here, such as hermeneutical questions and tips that help derive worthy applications from Scripture. This whole series continues to be outstanding for practical Christian living.
June 24, 2024
Another gem in the Growing Gospel Integrity series. There are great insights and heart-touching illustrations packed in this small book. Certain extremely helpful portions were focussed on preachers/pastors, which I found excellent myself as a pastor, but unsure if average Christians would've been able to relate or found relevant. It would've been 5 stars otherwise.
January 15, 2025
One of the best Christian books I've read (well, listened too).
What does it mean to walk in a manner that’s “worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil. 1:27)
This book explains how humility and suffering produce righteousness. I found it really encouraging and I'm ordering the 4 books in the series (only 2 on audible)
What does it mean to walk in a manner that’s “worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil. 1:27)
This book explains how humility and suffering produce righteousness. I found it really encouraging and I'm ordering the 4 books in the series (only 2 on audible)
November 26, 2023
A short but impactful book on Phil. 1:28 ("only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ"). Ferguson digs into the gospel, and the interplay of law and performance with grace and resting, so that we have a better understanding of the demanding, "all-embracing" summons of Phil 1:28.
September 1, 2025
Took less than two hours to read in one sitting, but it flew by.
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All the wonderful passion and purity,
O Thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine,
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All the wonderful passion and purity,
O Thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine,
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.
October 8, 2025
A great little book on what it means to live a life worthy of the gospel. Ferguson takes Philippians 1:27 and breaks it down and expounds on just what a worthy life is and how we can pursue it. This is a small book that would be so helpful to the church and avaerage church goer.
May 2, 2023
In this short book, Sinclair Ferguson explains in practical terms what is meant when Paul tells us to live in a manner “worthy of the Gospel of Christ.”
My favorite quote is this: “But we must first ask, “What has a God done to make this possible?” And we must absorb His resources.”
Rather than looking at ourselves to be worthy, Ferguson points us to the Lord who makes us worthy. In a fun section (to me) he even teaches using grammar to show us what it means to be “in Christ.”
While not necessarily new information to me, I still learned a lot as it is always good to be reminded of the Gospel and how to live out my new life in Christ.
My favorite quote is this: “But we must first ask, “What has a God done to make this possible?” And we must absorb His resources.”
Rather than looking at ourselves to be worthy, Ferguson points us to the Lord who makes us worthy. In a fun section (to me) he even teaches using grammar to show us what it means to be “in Christ.”
While not necessarily new information to me, I still learned a lot as it is always good to be reminded of the Gospel and how to live out my new life in Christ.
September 3, 2023
Writing style: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Engagement:🌟🌟🌟🌟
Content: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Purpose:🌟🌟🌟🌟
Value:🌟🌟🌟🌟
Overall: 4.2/5
Engagement:🌟🌟🌟🌟
Content: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Purpose:🌟🌟🌟🌟
Value:🌟🌟🌟🌟
Overall: 4.2/5
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