Jeremy Walker
Reformation Heritage Books
144 pages, £11.00
ISBN: 978-1-60178-274-8
An excellent book, ideal for the new Christian and any seeker! It could also be given to an unbeliever, as there is plenty to challenge such. It does not aim to be a typical discipleship book, but to point Christians to the blessings they have in Christ and their need to keep him in view as they live.
There are eight chapters in all, headings including ‘Looking to Jesus’, ‘Sons of God’, ‘The jewel of assurance’, ‘The marks of God’s children’ and ‘A work in progress’. The overall theme is that our union with Christ is at the centre, and Christian living should flow from this.
The book is doctrinal. Sometimes a particular Bible passage is focused upon, while references to other verses where the reader will understand more essential, Christ-centred truths are also included.
The book is devotional. It draws the reader to consider the love and the riches of Jesus Christ and to reflect with awe at his amazing grace. There are many illustrations and pastoral applications. The book is challenging. It is written in a preacher’s style, using ‘we’, ‘you’ and also questions to exhort and challenge. It needs to be read carefully to follow the line of reasoning and it is good that six or seven questions are listed at the end of each chapter for reflection and thinking through.
In writing on the confidence a Christian can have, we read on page 122, ‘There is a happy union between the desire of the saving God and the desire of the saved man. When God tells us that we have been saved to be conformed to the image of Christ, the believer calls out “Praise the Lord!”, for nothing could more delight and animate his soul.’
This is an ideal book for any Christian and especially useful for newer believers. Its focus is on Christ and its aim is that obedience should flow from the reality of union with him.
Paul Relf
Chatham
