Stand Firm

Book excerpt: "In Stand Firm, John MacArthur resounds the Christian's call to holiness. He does this by outlining some of the dimensions of the Christian life, especially as it relates to living in a post-Christian era. First, he addresses the importance of having and maintaining a Christian conscience. Second, he talks about the importance of the Christian to not only his neighbor but also to love his enemy, and this is largely done through a focus on the teaching of Deuteronomy and on the teaching of Jesus Christ in Matthew 5. Third, he further elaborates on the nature of the Christian love and the fact that it often mean loving in a sacrificial way that can require suffering. Fourth, he asserts the necessity of prayer in the Christian life and also elaborates on the true substance of Christian prayer. Fifth, he corrects any false notion that Christian faith is meant to garner influence in culture. He calls this the "myth of influence." Finally, he drives home the importance of persevering to the end of this life as a distinguishing mark of the Christian life, underscoring the title of the book, Stand Firm"--