'This book is simply written and will be of much help to new converts and defeated Christians in starting them off to a victorious spiritual life.' -- Bibliotheca Sacra 'Major Thomas points out how many dedicated people, ministers, Sunday school teachers, and the like, have come out of the old life but never gone on to the full, joyous life in Christ. He writes with fresh insight into many Bible passages, and challenges Christians to walk on and take the victory that is already won.' -- Faith at Work '. . . a very inspiring and helpful book.' -- Baptist Standard 'This is one of the most helpful treatments of a neglected subject which has come to this reviewer s attention.' --The Baptist Bulletin '. . . the author evidences keen insight into the definition and activity of the two natures of the believer and the path to victory. This path is explained with refreshing theological objectivity.' --The Sunday School Times 'A deeply spiritual study of the doctrine of the indwelling Christ. . . . Complete surrender is our need that Christ may live through us. We found the book helpful and enriching.' -- The Southern Baptist S.S. Board"

To help us better understand and incorporate victorious Christian living into our lives, Major W. Ian Thomas combines in one volume The Saving Life of Christ, which examines the implications of Christ's life and death, and The Mystery of Godliness, an exploration of the fact that godliness is a mystery. "God did not die just to save us from the consequences of a bad past or past failure, but to 'clear the decks' for divine action in our lives." The Saving Life of Christ contains a warning that our response to Jesus Christ will determine our condition "in the sights of God . . . redeemed or condemned." The Mystery of Godliness offers old and new considerations about the nature of godliness in thought-provoking discussions such as How to Do the Impossible and How Much are You Worth?

"If I Perish, I Perish" examines the Christian life through the lens of an allegorical interpretation of the Old Testament book of Esther. The character of Esther, representative of the human spirit, depicts that the call of the Lord Jesus on the Christian is to be crucified with Christ and become alive in the Spirit.

"Christ in you, the hope of glory." --Colossians 1: 27
Why do we keep failing even in our best efforts to live the Christian life? Because no one other than Jesus Christ can live it, for the simple reason that He is the Christian life! And only He can live it in our lives as well. Major W. Ian Thomas takes a refreshing look at the pure thrill of living victoriously as you embrace the living Savior's presence within you. The more you become genuinely and relentlessly available to Christ, the more He can take over so that your Christian walk becomes vibrant and effective! This inspiring devotional, along with the application questions at the end of each reading, will help you focus consistently on Jesus Himself so you can serve and enjoy Him at an entirely new level and dimension.
You can try to steer clear of sin. Avoid temptation. Refuse to steal, lie, or use drugs and alcohol. You can indeed try to be sinless. But that is still "you," And you are still "trying."
Jesus Christ was not holy because He focused His efforts on avoiding sin. Instead, "He refused to allow there to be any possible explanation for the quality of His life but the Father, as God, dwelling in Him, as Man," writes Major W. Ian Thomas.
So whom do you want dwelling in you? More of you? Or "all" of Christ?
Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1: 27
Story Behind the Book
Major W. Ian Thomas was twelve years old when he accepted the Lord with a simple prayer. But by nineteen, "I had been reduced to spiritual exhaustion," he says, "with no hope or reason for going on." It was then that he discovered the life-transforming secret of the indwelling life of the living Lord Jesus Christ.God gave him a message through Galatians 2: 20, where he learned to say, "Lord Jesus, I can't--You never said I could--but You can, and always said You would. That is all I need to know." Major Thomas came to understand it was Christ Himself living through him who would do His work. This is the message he has been passionately proclaiming all his life.