What Did Jesus Really Mean When He Said Follow Me?

Most Christians ask themselves that question early in their walk with God. Then, throughout that walk, we come back and ask it again and again. Effective and thorough readings of the Bible enlighten us and direct us when we are really ready to allow it. This author uses the scriptures, his own experiences and observations, as well as the leadership of the Holy Spirit to provide this map in words that today's reader easily understand and can follow. Having been a Christian for decades and found God's path for my life at an early age, I was interested to get a take on someone else in the language of the layman. I was not disappointed. In order to fully appreciate the efforts of this author, I would recommend that the reader undertake this reading in a serious mind and read it devoutly, giving it a chance to sink in as you go. This is not a work to be rushed through, saying, "Oh, I already knew that" or "Who can really believe that" even "This just goes to far". Instead it is to be read with an open mind and, like when reading the Bible, letting the words speak to you. I plan to recommend this to young people in my acquaintance and to keep it in mind for those Christians whom I meet that may be seeking the path. Very good.

David Platt is a young preacher with a very traditional, no-nonsense approach to Christianity. He doesn't soft-sell any part of God's message to humanity and calls Christians to commit themselves to the truth of following Jesus Christ. He has great zeal for winning souls around the world and in our own communities. This booklet focuses on the basics of being a true follower of Christ and the importance of being part of a community of believers. I am yet to encounter any message from this man that conflicts in any way with Scripture. His message is clear in that he calls believers to invest themselves whole-heartedly in their personal walk with God and Jesus Christ, as well as their dedication for leading the lost in finding salvation. In a world where the message of Christ is getting more watered-down daily, Platt's clear call to follow the Word unflinchingly and with total commitment is wonderfully refreshing!

This is a short theological read about what Jesus really meant when He said to follow Him. Most of us try to get the Bible and Jesus to fit what we think they should - Jesus didn't really mean there was a Hell, God is loving so even those who are still sinning and don't repent can make it to Heaven and on and on. What most fail to realize is that God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Bible can't be constructed to fit the human, fallen way of doing things. I appreciated what David Platt had to say in regards to the whole love the sinner, hate the sin that is so prevalent in today's Church. Platt uses several references to show that sin keeps us separated from God and He does in fact hate those who sin - take John 3:36 that says "Whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."I would like to have more clarification as Platt says, "when you follow Jesus, you die to everything you were before -including the sin that was keeping you from God - and Jesus becomes your life." Does he mean that after we are saved, repent and are baptized that we will never sin again? It's true once Saved, we are to die to ourselves and our fleshly desires, but there are times we are going to fail but as long as we repent and continue to keep our eyes on Jesus we'll be assured our Salvation. I agree with Platt when he says the way to conquer our sin is not to change ourselves but to keep our focus on Christ who will change us.Since this is such a short book, referred to as a booklet in some descriptions, Platt really doesn't have a lot of space to devote to hashing out his thoughts. According to him it's biblically, spiritually and practically impossible to be a disciple apart from a church family. There are some things I fully agree with Platt on but I also know there are seasons in life where not everyone can get plugged into a church and saying that it's biblically impossible is, to me, like saying well you must not really be a Christian if you aren't plugged in fully to a church. Overall, Platt has some great ideas and expounds on what Jesus meant when he called His disciples and called us to follow Him but I would have liked more clarification on some of his thoughts.