Fundamentals
Simply put: If we don’t get the fundamentals right, it will be hard to get the more complex things right.
Just like a basketball player who doesn’t dribble or pass well will have a very hard time competing at an elite level, if we don’t get the fundamentals of our faith right, we’ll have a hard time resisting the pull of secular culture.
When you know and are confident in the truth of Scripture, you’re more easily able to identify things that aren’t true.
And though not everything is simple, many things are – things we needlessly overcomplicate.
How do we master the fundamentals? We start by reading and knowing God’s Word.
Daily Bible reading and prayer seems oversimplified. But how often do you do it? Is it a part of each day for you, or do you get to it occasionally?
Church on Sundays is important, but we need to be exercising spiritually every day. Not as an item to check off the list, but as something we believe is truly good for us. Like building physical muscle takes regular and consistent work, getting stronger spiritually demands no less.
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. – 1 Timothy 4:7-8
It’s a lot easier not to have anything to do with irreverent, silly myths, if you’re training yourself for godliness.
Some of the more popular lies our culture believes – even Christians, sadly – could easily be countered with a basic understanding of Scripture.
When someone challenges your beliefs based on a misunderstanding or a distortion of Scripture, you can be ready to gently answer them – if you’ve mastered the fundamentals.
But the flip side is also true. If we don’t have the fundamentals down, the chances we’ll fall for a popular deception increases.
So get into the Word every day. There are a number of great Bible reading plans out there, both in print and digital. You can download an app and listen to Scripture. Or read a printed copy and underline or highlight. There’s never been more access to the Bible than you have right now. Take advantage of that!
Plus, the number of Bible commentaries and solid books on apologetics is long. If you need help understanding, or need solid reasons for believing Scripture is true, dive in with the help of one of these.
When the winds of deceit blow, you’ll be glad you paid so much attention to the fundamentals.
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