
In one of those frequent “godcidences” I picked up this book to use as a daily devotional. After perusing it a bit, I realized that the theme is union with Christ — exactly what our Bible study class has been learning about recently.
Andrew Murray (1828-1917) was a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa. He spent 60 years in ministry, writing more than 200 books and tracts on Christian spirituality and ministry, doing extensive social work, and founding of educational institutions. In this book, he says he has two purposes:
- To draw a portrait of Jesus, showing how He was the exact pattern that God desires us as Christians, to imitate
- To help Christians to meditate on the image of Christ and allow that image to live in us, so that it is reflected in our own lives
Through thirty-one short readings, he discusses the different ways we can and should follow the example of Jesus. At the end there is an essay for pastors, “On Preaching Christ Our Example.” His contention is that we focus on the truth of Christ’s atoning death but neglect the power that this gives us to live a redeemed life. For Murray, the two things are inseparable.
VERDICT: 5 STARS. Union with Christ is a topic that’s difficult (at least or me) to grasp. Murray’s work will help you understand how to practice this challenging theological doctrine in daily life.
Note: You can purchase it as a Kindle book for Amazon for only $2.99
For more book reviews on devotionals see:
90 Days with The God Who speaks –Book Review
Pingback: Of the Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis–Book Review | Lutheran Ladies Connection