Book Review: What's Best Next

I typically don't have much appreciation for many "Christian Living" books (or the entire genre for that matter). But this book in particular is a game changer.

If you're like me in the mind frame of "Christian Living" books/genre, perhaps you'll do better as thinking of this book as part of systematic theology, with the specific study being: ergonology, or the doctrine of [good] works (Eph. 2:10).

And that's what this whole book is about: setting a course for and giving us tools to accomplish those good works which God has called us to do, and which He has prepared beforehand for us (Eph. 2:10).

Thankfully, Matt Perman does a wonderful job in sticking to the sub-title: "How the Gospel Transforms the Way you Get Things Done" (emphasis mine).

In other words, he doesn't neglect Ephesians 2:8-9 - we are saved by grace through faith - when teaching on Ephesians 2:10 - we are saved for good works.

That's the foundation to the entire book. We are not saved by good works, but we are saved for good works. ​

And Matt Perman graciously weaves that theme throughout the entire work in detailing how we can apply that Biblical doctrine from wherever God has called us - even in 9a-5p white collar jobs. No matter where we are, we can - and should - work to the glory of God for the purpose of loving and serving as many people as possible.

What amazed me was that, though the task seems daunting - while reading through the book you feel, as the reader, that the task is somehow attainable. Of course, it's not attainable through self-effort, but through the Spirit of God. And how rewarding it is to know that God truly did create us for good works, but that it is He Himself who works through us for those very same works.

The goal in the book is not for us to love more for the glory of God; but it's to love the most we're physically able to, upon the most people we're physically able to, for the glory of God. And in the book, Perman shows not only why that's a Biblical doctrine on which to base our understanding of work and Christian love, but he also provides tremendous valuable tools on how to actually accomplish more, love more, and glorify God more in the area of Christian responsibility and productivity. And this all right from where we're at at whatever job we're currently doing.

In short, this book is worthy of your read because it is a practical unpacking of a very often overlooked doctrine of Christian works (and again, the works described in this book are never taught as a form of salvation, but are taught as the result of salvation).

And it's just because that salvation is so wonderful and undeserved, and just because it is the same God who saved rebellious sinners as we are, that the works He calls us to do are so great and powerful.

I commend this book to every Christian reader who is seeking to love God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love his neighbor as himself.