Recommended
Resource: The Imperfect Disciple by Jared Wilson
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Every once in
a while I will come across a book that I just can’t put down; Jared Wilson’s
new book “Imperfect Disciple” was one of those.
It is common today for discipleship to be viewed as simply to-do lists
or following self-help principles in order to earn God’s approval or grow in
the Lord. While we are to obey commands in Scripture and pursue spiritual
disciplines, those are not meant to be in end to itself, and, if we are honest,
will always find ourselves failing according to those standards. Wilson takes a
different approach to discipleship by stressing our inability to keep the to-do lists and focusing on the completed
work of Christ. He explains this in a powerful way by saying “The essential
message of Christianity isn’t “do”, but “done”.” (Pg. 67) It is from this
foundational perspective that he then focuses on spiritual disciplines such as
Bible reading, prayer, and fellowship. His explanation of Bible study was
extremely helpful in that the primary reason to read the Bible is “not to learn
stuff but to be stuff” (pg. 87)
focusing on the transformative aspect of studying to encounter the glory of
Jesus.
From
beginning to end, Wilson stresses, “the power of our obedience and the source
of our holiness is not in our efforts but the finished work of Jesus Christ.”
(151). He does this from a very honest, real, and personal perspective that
makes the book a refreshing joy to read. This will be a book I continually go
back to and recommend others to read and work through together. For imperfect,
messed up people like me, I know this book will bring hope and encouragement
because it points to the only one who can provide it, God Himself!
You can find
this book on Amazon, and most other national book sellers as well as going to Jared’s
website at jaredcwilson.com
