The heaven-bound road of sanctification runs between two dangerous ditches—legalism and antinomianism. Russ Rice seeks to help us navigate the way by crucial scriptural citations, and church history quotations from giants like Thomas Watson, John Flavel, Thomas Brooks, John Owen, Charles Spurgeon, Richard Sibbes, John Bunyan, Matthew Henry, Jonathan Edwards, Thomas Watson, JC Ryle, and more.

— Mark Chanski,
Coordinator of the Reformed Baptist Network,
Author of Encouragement: Adrenaline for the Soul, Manly Dominion, Womanly Dominion

Full of comfort and hope, this is a book about true freedom. It is nothing like what the world imagines, but infinitely better. Russ Rice dismantles our many misunderstandings with clarity and aplomb, showing that growth in the beauty of holiness is not only important but wonderfully possible in Christ.

— Dr. Michael Reeves,
President and Professor of Theology at Union School of Theology

Russ Rice has mastered the art of explaining complex doctrines simply without being simplistic. I love the clarity and conviction with which he writes. Here is a study of sanctification anchored in Scripture and explained with the help of some of the best theological writers going all the way back to the Protestant Reformation. Every believer (young and old alike) will benefit spiritually from this study.

— Phil Johnson,
Executive Director of Grace to You

Since we are told that without holiness, “no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14), understanding holiness and what it means to “pursue” it is of utmost importance to every Christian who wants to live in a way that is pleasing to God. Russ Rice has provided us with a roadmap that does just that. In this book he explains what the Bible has to say about sanctification and provides a clear path to growing in Christlikeness. This is the kind of book that, after you have read it, you will want to share with every Christian in your life, regardless of his or her experience or understanding. Dangers are exposed and avoided, and practical helps are provided. Be sure you don’t skip the appendices! They provide correction to three of the most prevalent mistakes about sanctification that often confuse and mislead God’s people today. This book can be put in the hands of any believer, regardless of experience or understanding, with confidence

— Dr. Tom Ascol,
President of Founders Ministries

Russ Rice has written a deeply biblical and pastorally rich book on sanctification rooted firmly in union with Christ. In a time when holiness is often reduced either to self-powered moralism or dismissed altogether, Grace in the Ordinary reminds us that true sanctification flows from the gospel, is empowered by the Spirit, and unfolds through God’s ordinary means of grace. Drawing from Scripture, the Puritans, and the rich heritage of the Reformed tradition, Rice consistently points weary believers away from striving in the flesh and back to Christ Himself. This book is earnest, faithful, church-centered, and deeply encouraging. I gladly recommend it to Christians who long to grow in holiness not through performance, but through abiding in Christ.

— Dr. Christopher Yuan,
Author of Holy Sexuality and the Gospel
Creator of The Holy Sexuality Project (holysexuality.com)

I so appreciate this primer on sanctification by Russ Rice. It is a scripturally-saturated feast. My mind was stimulated and my affections for Christ were stirred while reading it. Not only does Rice practically guide the reader in understanding the basics of the pursuit of holiness in the Christian life, he does so with simplicity, Pauline logic, and some help from the Reformers and Puritans (which I love!). This book is for any born-again Christian asking the question: what is the Christian life all about? Rice grounds the answer to that question in the mysterious yet wonderful reality of the Christians’ union with Christ. We were crucified with Christ. We have been raised with Christ. And now we are seated with Christ in the heavenly places—all by virtue of our faith in Him! Therefore, as Rice so clearly articulates, we are to live the sanctified life of Christ now, becoming more like Him both in our life and our death.

— Dr. Grant Castleberry,
Pastor-Teacher of The King’s Chapel in Raleigh, North Carolina.
President of Unashamed Truth Ministries.

I have known Russ Rice and his work for many years, and the man has been a paragon of faithfulness the whole time. That same faithfulness runs all through this book, which plants sanctification where Scripture plants it, in our union with Christ, and shows that the grace which justifies us is the grace that sanctifies us. He writes as a fellow traveler and not a scold, mining the Puritans and Reformers while keeping the man who cannot seem to shake a besetting sin squarely in view. Read it slowly, then put it in the hands of someone in your small group who is tired of striving and needs to be pointed back to the ordinary means through which God grows an extraordinary faith.

— Virgil Walker,
Teaching Pastor, Redeemer Bible Church

Quite often, Christian books on doctrine can be much too long and frankly too technical as well. Not so with this volume: ‘Grace in the Ordinary,’ which is written by my good friend, Russ Rice. The writing is at one and the same time basic and clear. Scriptural passages are plainly addressed, and doctrinal terms are succinctly defined. So, if you have been looking for a compact resource that can help biblically sustain your spiritual life, I encourage you to choose this one. You won’t be disappointed.”

— Lance Quinn,
Executive Vice-President, The Expositors Seminary, Jupiter, Florida