Make Me Like Jesus by Michael Phillips

This book is not for everyone. It's not for every Christian. Phillips makes it clear at the beginning that one should NOT read this book if you have not made substantial progress toward Christian maturity, if your church involvement is your primary emphasis, or if you are seeking blessings from God.

However, if you are seeking to know God more intimately and live in His presence, if you realize God's primary purpose is for you to be conformed to the image of Christ, then this book is for you. Phillips invites readers to an inward journey of the soul and to a life long process. He also gives a warning. There will be a heavy cost involved. The journey is not for the faint of heart.

I really appreciate Phillip's sharing his own journey with us. He reveals the prayers he prayed, starting with, “God, make me like Jesus.” He tells us of his struggles, of the years involved, of the hard lessons learned, of the state of joy gained.

The most insightful part of the book for me was a practical lesson gleaned from the life of Christ, that “God may appear to remove his hand from us.” (82) God gives us the opportunity to follow him when the heavens seem silent. (83) Phillips says this is the highest form of faith, exercising it when there is no experience, no feeling, no overwhelming assurance. (83)

I highly recommend this book to Christians but only if you have a hunger for a greater walk with Christ and are willing to accept the cost involved. Phillips' book is a joy to read as he presents his own journey. He is encouraging. He is also very honest about the reality of the high cost to the high call of becoming like Christ.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

Michel Phillips is a best-selling fiction author who has also written many devotional and theological titles. He helped bring George MacDonald's books to a new audience in the 1980s.

Wise Path Books, 141 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)