“This world is no friend to grace.” With these words, Eugene Peterson begins his book, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society.

“The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim 1:5). The apostle Paul, in one of the most informative biblical books on pastoral ministry, gives this charge to his beloved child of the faith, Timothy.

Our glorious Lord has given us a mission and a powerful message to which he has attached great promises, namely the promise to use the proclamation of that message to raise the dead to life and to put the living to death. 

Professor Charles Telfer explains that while the marathon of faith is difficult and tiring, we press on knowing that Christ is not only the founder, but the finisher of our faith.