Basics for Believers

Christians taking their first steps of faith as well as experienced saints reexamining their spiritual foundations will gain exceptional instruction and encouragement from this fresh look at the fundamental disciplines of the Christian life. To ensure persistent progress in their journey of faith, Carson urges believers to put the gospel first in their relationships, prayer life, career goals, and personal choices; take the right perspective on the cross and let it shape their outlook on suffering, witnessing and persevering for the faith; emulate Christian leaders who model compassion, faithfulness, confidence in Christ, and heavenly mindedness; resolve never to give up the Christian walk but instead to pursue the same seven virtues Paul enjoins upon the Philippians.

Philippians defines pure, consistent living--a lifestyle characterized in this book, as centered in the death of Christ. Carson's overview of Paul's letter of joy stresses like-minded sharing with other believers, rejoicing, gentleness, contentment, gratitude and courtesy. Setting these qualities in the foreground of life goals helps Christians distinguish the essential from the perupheral.