KNOWING THE BASICS
Why are the basics of the faith important?
BIBLE READING: 1 John 2:18-29
KEY BIBLE VERSE: See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. (1 John 2:24 , niv)
The basics protect us from error. These Christians had heard the gospel, very likely from John himself. They knew that Christ was God’s Son, that he died for their sins and was raised to give them new life, and that he would return and establish his kingdom in its fullness. But they were being infiltrated by teachers who denied these basic doctrines of the Christian faith, and some of the believers were in danger of succumbing to false arguments. John encouraged them to hold on to the truth they heard at the beginning of their walk with Christ. It is important to grow in our knowledge of the Lord, to deepen our understanding through careful study, and to teach these truths to others. But no matter how much we learn, we must never abandon the basic truths about Christ. Jesus will always be God’s Son, and his sacrifice for our sins is permanent. No truth will ever contradict these teachings in the Bible.
BIBLE READING: 1 Peter 1:3-16
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do. (1 Peter 1:13-15 , niv)
The basics are never outdated. Outstanding coaches constantly review the basics of the sport with their teams, and good athletes can execute the fundamentals consistently well. We must not neglect the basics of our faith when we go on to study deeper truths. Just as an athlete needs constant practice, we need constant reminders of the fundamentals of our faith and of how we came to believe in the first place. Don’t allow yourself to remain bored or impatient with messages on the basics of the Christian life. Instead, take the attitude of an athlete who continues to practice and refine the basics even as he learns more advanced skills.
From The Handbook of Bible Application
