Chapter one is the Christian's seven phases of spiritual development from insemination to maturity. Chapter two is the Christian's ongoing sacred duty, following maturity. Chapter three to five is the Christian's nourishment [knowledge and understanding] that is required at phase four of spiritual development, in order to progress to maturity. Chapter six is the Christian's supreme authority. Chapter seven is the Christian's defence against failing their sacred duty.
Other books about God's will for daily life consistently say either that we should, keep the ten commandments, live by the new testament letters, or follow divine inspiration. These are the three main schools of thought today, and they are all flawed.
The bible clearly says that we are to do what Christ says, and this book clearly explains it. From the basic phases of spiritual growth, to the controversial issue of sin in a believer’s life, this book clarifies all of God's will for daily life.
In this groundbreaking explanation of Christ's teaching [sermon on mount], you will find God's will clearly defined and explained. You will learn what God requires of every one of us, including:
- Spiritual development - from acceptance of Christ's gospel through to maturity.
- Sacred duty - from enduring persecution to producing a testament.
- Rightness in life - concerning the Mosaic Law, works of faith, and Christ's Law.
- Goodness at heart - in relation to God, possessions, and people.
- Rightness in God's sight - concerning the teaching of man, of Christ, and of the devil.
This book summarises and collates the words of Jesus, specifically the Sermon on the Mount, and relating it all to the Parable of the Sower. I particularly liked this books version of the Lord's Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, Lord Jesus Christ. May your kingdom come and your will be done absolutely upon earth. Give us all this day our daily requirement of knowledge concerning your will. And forgive us all this day our latest offences, as we forgive all those who repent of having offended us. And do not let us give in to temptation to live in accordance to what we think or feel is right. But rather, deliver us all this day from our self-centredness. For the kingdom of God, the power to forgive sin, and all the glory from our good works, are yours, forever, Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Two other sections of this book that I highlighted are:
Christians who have ignorance or misunderstanding in their hearts concerning God's will erroneously believe that salvation is a gift from God, that salvation is received upon conversion, and that continued unrighteousness (sin) following professed conversion means that either, (1) that salvation has not actually been received, or (2) that salvation will ultimately be lost. They do not understand that God's spirit of graciousness within a person's heart, and that continued sin following conversion does not necessarily have any bearing on a person's salvation.
And:
Therefore, when praying to God, ensure that your requests are for every member of Christ's army - as per the Lord's prayer - rather than just for yourself and those members that you know of.
As this book is focussed on Jesus's words, it is heavily based in the Bible. It is not too deep or theological, but neither is it a light read. I found this book a good book to remind me of the sermon on the mount, alongside my usual Bible reading.
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