As Christians, it is important how we live our lives in this dark and sinful world. This book is designed to help Christians understand what God expects of them and how God equips and enables them to live lives that are truly pleasing to him.

Jesus says in Matthew 7: "Not everyone that says to me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those that do the will of his Father." God's expectation of Christians is that they would be led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Scriptures assure us that if we faithfully endure, we will reign with Christ. If we deny Christ, Christ will deny us. Our destiny is very much dependent on our actions. Paul endured all things so that the elect might obtain the full salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. He knew there was much more to believing in Jesus than just being born again.

Paul was pressing toward this in Philippians 3. He sought to lay hold of that for which he was laid hold of by Christ. He did not regard that he had laid hold of it yet; but he continued reaching for it. He desired this full salvation for all believers. He did not want any to miss out on all that was available in Christ. When we live in full submission to Jesus as Lord, obeying the leading of his Spirit, we are victorious Christians, and we will inherit the promises!

The Lord's desire is that we would love him more than anything else in this world. Victorious Christians endure faithfully to the end and can say with Paul, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing." (2 Timothy 4).

Jon von Ernst