Back to Basics

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

Physical health is a treasure to be protected and cared for.  Our appreciation for good physical health grows as we get older, when it becomes harder to maintain the strength and stamina we had at a younger age.

There are plenty of signs indicating a need to improve our physical health.  The number on the scale is too high.  The image in the mirror is too wide.  The clothes in our closet fit too tight.  The ease at which we lifted, or ran, or played, is replaced by aches and pains and strains.  Could it be time to make some changes?  Maybe, eat less and exercise more?  To improve physical health, it’s a good idea to get back to the basics.

Our spiritual health is worthy of the same discipline, effort and renewal.  We must not neglect the basics of our faith: belief in God and His Son, Jesus Christ; our need for forgiveness; the new birth of baptism; God’s offer of righteousness and salvation through the resurrected Son.  Even when we go on to study deeper truths, we must regularly remind ourselves about the fundamentals of our faith and how we came to believe in the first place.  Knowledge and confidence in the fundamentals of our faith is a solid foundation for spiritual health.

When we are spiritually healthy, our minds are prepared for action; we are self-controlled; our hope is confident and focused on the grace God has promised us through Jesus Christ.  A spiritually healthy child of God makes wise, holy choices.  We are no longer ignorant.  We know the difference between right and wrong.  The spiritually healthy person is aware of Satan’s schemes and chooses not to participate in his unholy behavior.  Now is a good time to remember the Good News of the gospel message.  Get back to the basics.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, please give me the courage and strength I need to get back to the basics for the benefit of my spiritual health.  I want to be holy, as you are holy.  I look forward to the grace you have promised to give me when Jesus Christ is revealed.  In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.

Carl Smith

Stephenville, Texas