Barbara Duguid’s book Extravagant Grace, inspired me, encouraged me, and increased my awe at the amazing grace of God. Extravagant Grace also gives the reader a peek into the writings, faith and pastoral insight of John Newton. This taste left me with a desire for more and I will be adding his original writings to my every expanding reading list.
Barbara Duguid takes the truth that God is sovereign over all and examines it in ways that bring a new depth of appreciation. Her honesty and transparency in her own life walking with God invited me to re-examine the way these truths were being lived out in my own life. Duguid focuses primarily on God’s sovereignty over our sanctification, pointing out that it is God who gives faith, God who opens our eyes to our sin, God who gives us the desire to repent, and God who gives us the will power to change. Since all these are gifts from God we are always and in everything utterly dependent on Him. Deguid illustrates these truths with both personal examples and Biblical examples. She invites the reader to apply these truths to her own life through end of chapter discussion questions.
A discussion of John Newton’s understanding of the stages of Christian life permeates the book. In keeping with God’s sovereignty we are not given steps to move from one stage of growth to another, but rather reminded that God determines the amount of faith that we have and our growth in Christ. This calls us to be gracious and encouraging toward one another as we celebrate what God is doing, not dismissive of the exuberant enthusiasm of the new believer nor envious of the joyful peace of the mature believer nor disdainful of the perpetually immature believer. In all we are pointed back to God and invited to celebrate and glorify Him.
In discussing the goal of sanctification and God’s work in us Deguid points out a common expectation that as we grow in Christ we become more sinless, more holy. The logical outworking of this is that we would become less dependent on God as we become more able to be righteous on our own. However, Deguid reminds us that God’s purpose is not to increase our independence but rather to bring us to a place where we celebrate and rest in our dependence on Him. The goal of sanctification is not to become able to sin less and less but to be able to cry out more completely, “You are my God and I need You to make me stand.”
Talk with Kathy 