Follow Me by David Platt

This book made me think, but even more importantly, it made me consider the focus of my life, and it re-energized me to walk in a single-minded pursuit of God.

While I do agree with a reviewer who was afraid that a reader might miss the message of grace, this book stands as a reasoned counterpoint to the hyper-grace writings that imply that we can all just run amok, and grace will make it all ok.

I started with a combination of a bias for and against the book.  I was suspicious of the hype that surrounds popular authors.  But then I was immediately gripped by a statement in the front matter, before the book proper even began: "The author's royalties from this book will go toward promoting the glory of Christ in all nations." Now he had my attention. And he kept my attention throughout the book.

The main thrust of the book is the mandate to all believers to respond to the great commission: "go and make disciples".  The author summarizes it thus: "It is about helping the church go beyond 'come and listen' to 'go and tell.'"

The pseudo-Christianity of our own culture can blind us to the need to let go of our own idols. We want to live the American dream...and go to heaven when we die.  But what about all the time in between? What does life as a Christian look like?  How is it different from the life of a non-believer?  Is the only difference what rules we follow, such as what movies to avoid and how modestly we dress?  The author sets a challenge to follow Jesus with every fiber of our being, wherever that takes us.

The last 20 pages list some questions to take personally, in order to start with some concrete steps.