Foundations of Faith: Getting Back to Basics

The Power of Fundamentals

A Lesson from a Basketball Legend

Kobe Bryant, the late Los Angeles Lakers star, was renowned for his exceptional skills on the court. His dedication to the fundamentals of basketball was unwavering, and his workout regimen was the stuff of legends. One day, Nike sent Alan Stein, Jr. to observe one of Bryant’s workouts. What Stein witnessed was remarkable. At 4:00 am, Kobe was already drenched in sweat, having completed a warm-up before the actual workout. For the next 45 minutes, Stein watched in awe as Bryant methodically worked on basic basketball drills. When Stein asked the five-time NBA champion why he spent so much time on simple exercises, Kobe’s response was telling: “Why do you think I’m the best player in the world? Because I never ever get bored with the basics.”

The Basics of Christianity

This same principle applies to the Christian faith. The fundamental beliefs of Christianity are rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, who proclaimed himself to be the Son of God. His message can be summarized as the love of God and the love of one’s neighbor. The core tenets of the Christian faith include the inerrancy of Scripture, the deity of Christ, His virgin birth, substitutionary atonement, and physical resurrection and future bodily return.

Drifting Away from the Basics

Unfortunately, many churches and denominations today have strayed from these fundamental principles. As a result, the impact of the church on society has been significantly diminished. This is because society has had too much influence on the church, rather than the other way around. The question we must ask ourselves is: Are we focusing on the basics and fundamentals of our faith, or are we just going through the motions?

Recommitting to the Fundamentals

The Bible reminds us that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). As followers of Christ, it is essential that we recommit to the basics of our faith, just as Kobe Bryant did with his basketball fundamentals. By doing so, we can regain our impact on society and fulfill our purpose as ambassadors of Christ.

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