The apostle Paul, with great knowledge of Scripture, said in Philippians 3:7-8: "But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ." (NASB) It takes a courageous person to take a second look--to lay down their life--just as the apostle Paul. Are you willing to take a second look, to lay down your life? The Portrait of a Christian was written to help you do so. For more than thirty-eight years, Minister Raymond D. Sopp studied the Scriptures, not to parrot God's Word through memorization but just to know God's heart as He communicated through His Word. To know anyone's heart, you must listen to their words. Raymond wrote The Portrait of a Christian to challenge and provoke thought to those who desire a closer relationship with Christ. He wanted to paint a portrait of God's heart through thirty-one separate commentaries--starting with the importance God placed on His Gospel and ending with a Lost Love. All of us must earnestly contend for the faith!