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.
This summons to "get back to basics" lays a solid foundation for withstanding storms that beat upon the house of faith today.