The Imperfect Disciple

The Imperfect Disciple

 

 

The complete title of this book is The Imperfect Disciple: Grace for People Who Can’t Get Their Act Together – boy doesn’t that speak to all of us!

Book Description:

Too many discipleship books are written for clean, perfect people who know all the right Sunday school answers. The Imperfect Disciple is for the rest of us–people who screw up, people who are weary, people who are wondering if it’s safe to say what they’re really thinking.

For the believer who is tired of quasi-spiritual lifehacks being passed off as true, down-and-dirty discipleship, here is a discipleship book that isn’t afraid to be honest about the mess we call real life. With incisive wit, warm humor, and moving stories, Jared Wilson shows readers how the gospel works in them and in their lives when

– they can’t get their act together
– they think God is giving them the silent treatment
– they think church would be better without all the people
– they’re not happy with the person in the mirror
– and much more

Wilson frees readers from the self-doubt and even the misplaced self-confidence they may feel as they walk with Jesus down the often difficult road of life. The result is a faith that weathers storms, lifts burdens, and goes forth to make more imperfect disciples.

My Thoughts:

The first thing that caught my attention in this book was the statement that The Imperfect Disciple is written for the rest of us–people who screw up, people who are weary, people who are wondering if it’s safe to say what they’re really thinking.

Ask yourself, What is Discipleship? What does it mean to be a disciple? As a Christian, to be an disciple means that you are follower of Jesus Christ.  Okay, but what does that mean?

Well in John 14:15 it reads: “If you love me, keep my commandments”. So is it just keeping the commandments? I sure hope not, because I fail daily to keep free from all sin. Since we know that Jesus was the only sinless one, if keeping free from all sin is required to be a perfect disciple then we would all fail.

Being a disciple to me means that I try my best to always be as Christlike as I can be to everyone. I’ve read a lot of books about being a follower of Christ, and sadly most leave me feeling like a total failure.

Oh, I understand it is a challenge to be different from the world. I take a lot of abuse even through my writing from people that do not want to hear the Gospel. When I think about the physical abuse others have suffered in the name of the Gospel, it chills me to bone. I pray that I am never placed in that position.

Okay, back to the book. This book is based on the author’s experiences and like most of us, failures at being the perfect disciple. He shares his thoughts and opinions on various topics. I can certainly relate to him feeling like he was born a spiritually dysfunctional person.   I often ask myself and God what’s wrong with me.

As I read through this book, I could relate to so much of it. But in the end, it does all come down to Jesus. No matter how many times I fail. No matter how slack I am in my prayer life or scripture reading, and no matter how many times I fail to show others the love they deserve…it isn’t about me. I am a sinner. But I am also a child of God. Jesus paid the price of my sins…MY SINS..put him on the cross. It is through the blood of Christ that my sins are forgiven. It isn’t anything that I have done or will ever do.

My responsibility is to try to be a follower of Christ so that I may share the Gospel with others around me. Whether they accept, may or may not be based pertly on my life example..but think of this: Do you live your life in such a way that others see and want to know what makes you different?

If not, maybe you should start thinking about the parts of your life that would be a turn off to those seeking what Jesus is offering.

You can pick up a copy of The Imperfect Disciple on Amazon in Kindle, Paperback, or as an Audio Book or CD.

Don’t have a Kindle? Grab one for yourself. They are so nice to use for reading. I love my Kindle Fire and my little one uses the e-Reader version (just for reading without the added games and internet options).