Ex Libris: Made For His Pleasure

In his book, Made For His Pleasure: Ten Benchmarks of a Vital Faith, Alistair Begg's simple yet profound style is evident. For mature Christians, the subjects he covers should be nothing new. For many of us, it could be said that the topics are even elementary. That is not to say the book is elementary. On the contrary, each chapter brought me under conviction.

I knew I was in trouble from the opening pages of the first chapter. To illustrate the Christian's need for spiritual fitness, Begg points out the need for physical fitness. Of course he subordinates physical fitness to spiritual fitness, but nonetheless the conviction had begun. And it only continued as he covered prayer, personal sacrifice, the marriage relationship, service, laziness, evangelism and others.

Particularly poignant was Begg's chapter on humility. After the Bible, that chapter should be required reading for all believers. In the brief space of 184 pages, Alistair Begg successfully accomplishes his goal of providing the benchmarks required to have vital faith.