Book Review: Life In Christ by Jeremy Walker

When it comes to discipleship, many Christians think it is a class at church to attend especially in Southern Baptist circles. Most Christians even think they are growing in Christ because of the number of classes they attend or how much knowledge they have attained. Being disciple means being a follower of Jesus.

In Life in Christ, Jeremy Walker teaches his readers "to consider something of the Christian's experience of God's lovingkindness, his sense of God's tender mercies and great goodness, and his relationships with Christ in them and responses to them" (pg vii). Walker also says that "to be a discipleship of Jesus Christ is to live in a position of privilege and blessings beyond anything the world might offer" (pg vii). The book is also about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

The first thing to be a disciple of Jesus is to trust in Jesus alone through faith alone. Too many Christians think they can be disciples without any faith in Jesus, which I have never understood how that works. Second, we have to be united with Christ which is probably one of the most overlooked aspects of being a Christian. We talk about trusting Christ or, as the Southern Baptists would say, "ask Jesus into your heart." United with Christ, or "In Christ," means "to be savingly united to the Lord Jesus Christ by faith. It is a saving connection to the Lord, God's gracious gift to otherwise hopeless sinners, granted in sovereign mercy" (pg. 24).

The rest of the book talks about how disciples of Jesus look into the unsearchable riches that we have in Christ as well as the right to be God's children because of Jesus. One thing I love about this book is it deals with assurance. I know for many disciples, especially new ones, they need to know what the Bible teaches about assurance so that a believer knows they are saved without worrying if God has had enough of them. All disciples are a work in progress which Walker talks about as well what the marks of God's children such as repentance from sin, growing in holiness, and devotion to God.

This is an excellent book for a mature believer to use to teach new converts whether one-on-one or in small groups. This is also a great book for mature believers to read themselves to reignite their passion for Jesus.

Thanks Reformation Heritage Books for letting me review this book.