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We Are His
Not For This Life Only is framed as a devotional guide, challenging readers to view life not as an end in itself but as a preparation for eternity in God’s Kingdom through the use of Scripture, personal anecdotes, and traditional Christian teachings. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I don’t see my book as a devotional guide. It is a study in growth for life. The subtitle of my book is “A Study for growth into maturity as a Child of God, for today and for eternity.” Three concepts are important in that subtitle. We are all children created by Almighty God. He has a purpose for our life. We are to grow and mature in that purpose through whatever field we may choose. Maturity is in understanding who we are in relation to our Lord, understanding His nature of love and self giving, and reflecting His nature in serving others. This life of knowing our Lord and sharing His nature doesn’t end with death but continues into eternity.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
God cares about and works in all aspects of life. As in Matthew 10:29, not a sparrow falls to the ground without our Father’s notice. God can use all things for our good and for our growth. Even those things that hurt and look the worst. Some things that happen that we may never see the full purpose, but many others we see from a perspective of time and are amazed and strengthened by seeing how God has use events to shape us in very positive ways.
What advice do you have for readers who are struggling with their faith and purpose to help them find their focus and get back onto the path they were meant to follow?
First, hold on and don’t let go of the truth that Almighty God really does love you personally. He was willing to give the life of His only Son, Jesus, for you. If you were the only person on earth He still would have given His life for you. Find a Christian fellowship, a church or a small prayer group. Pray and trust God to lead you to the right place. You will know the right place by having a sense of God’s peace.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Not For This Life Only?
It is Almighty God who created us and we are His. He seeks to work in life daily to bring us further into the beauty of His life.
Not For This Life Only
Irvin Stapf’s Not For This Life Only is a heartfelt and theologically rich exploration of Christian spiritual maturity. Framed as a devotional guide, the book challenges readers to see life not as an end in itself, but as a preparation for eternity. Drawing from Scripture, personal anecdotes, and traditional Christian teachings, Stapf argues that our time on Earth is an “apprenticeship for rulership” — a training ground for the eternal responsibilities and relationships we’ll carry into God’s Kingdom. He stresses the need for Christ-centered values, patient endurance, and above all, the development of agape love, the kind of selfless love God shows us and asks us to reflect.
I found the sincerity of Stapf’s writing both moving and compelling. There’s an honesty in the way he addresses life’s harsh realities — suffering, injustice, disappointment — and how they are not only unavoidable but essential to Christian growth. His style is warm but firm, often sounding like a wise, steadfast pastor speaking to someone he truly cares about. When he tackles moral relativism, the decay of modern values, or the compromises of the Church, he does it with conviction, not arrogance. He invites repentance, not condemnation. The writing may not be flashy or literary, but it’s soaked in conviction.
The book returns often to key themes — like obedience, spiritual warfare, and the training of the soul — and while these ideas come up repeatedly, the repetition feels purposeful. It’s as if Stapf, like a seasoned teacher, knows how important these truths are and how easily we let them slip from view. His steady reminders help anchor the reader, reinforcing the message in a way that builds depth and clarity over time.
I would recommend Not For This Life Only to believers who are hungry for more than just spiritual comfort. This book is for people who want to grow, who are willing to wrestle with themselves and their faith, and who know deep down that easy answers just won’t cut it. If you’re looking for a soft, feel-good devotional, this isn’t it. But if you’re ready to be challenged, encouraged, and maybe even humbled, then pull up a chair. Stapf has something worth reading.
Pages: 140 | ASIN : B0F3G2GVBQ
LITERARY TITAN 