BACK TO BASICS
Steve W. Reeves
It is
not unusual to hear athletes talk about going “back to basics.” Depending on
the sport this could apply to such fundamentals as throwing, catching,
fielding, shooting, blocking, tackling and running. An athlete’s mastery of
fundamentals is critical to their success.
What
are the basics when it comes to our relationship with God? The Bible provides
us with fundamentals that must not be ignored (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible
asserts that God is real (Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 11:6). He is compassionate,
gracious, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and truth. He is willing
to forgive but is also holy, just and righteous. Because of His justice He
cannot overlook sin (Exodus 34:6-7).
With
regard to humanity the basics are that every accountable individual (including
you and me) has been separated from God by disobedience known as sin (1 John
3:4; James 4:17; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2). The result of sin is death
(Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12; 6:23; Ephesians 2:1). We are incapable of saving
ourselves (Jeremiah 10:32; Isaiah 64:6). Those who die without the forgiveness
of sins will be separated from God and lost eternally in Hell (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9;
Revelation 20:15).
Forgiveness
of sins is called salvation. We cannot save ourselves but must depend on the
grace (unmerited favor) of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). God loves us so much that He sent
His Son, Jesus Christ, to the earth to overcome temptation and live a sinless
life (Romans 5:8-10; Hebrews 4:15). Through His death on the cross Jesus was
offered as the once and for all sacrifice to bear our sins (Hebrews 9:28). The
death, burial and resurrection of Christ is called, “the Gospel” which must be
believed and obeyed for our salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-3).
To be
saved a person must hear the Gospel (Romans 10:17), believe (trust) in Jesus
(John 3:16; Acts 16:31), repent (turn away from) sinful living (Luke 13:3,5;
Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9), confess their faith in Christ (Matthew 10:32-33;
Romans 10:9-10) and be baptized into Christ (Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5;
Galatians 3:26-27) for the remission (forgiveness) of their sins (Acts 2:38;
22:16). When a person becomes a Christian through their obedience to the Gospel
they are added by the Lord to His church (Acts 2:47) and are called a Christian
(Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). As a Christian we must “walk in the light”
(1 John 1:7) and be faithful even if it means persecution and death (Revelation
2:10).
Have
you gone “back to basics” in your relationship with God? Why not do so today?
