Get the basics right

"Leaders are those who do the basics right" - this was a statement that came out of my mouth last week at the Leader's Training in Ahmad Nagar, when I was speaking to a group of 70 lay-leaders in that city, while teaching on "SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES" and the importance for such a thing in our day-to-day life.

It wasn't prepared or planned, but it just came out .. and while I was still saying it, the reality and its profound meaning hit me, and I decided to dwell on it a little bit more upon return.

And sure enough, I didn't have to wait for too long.

I Thess. 4:1-12
There are 2 things which Paul is encouraging the church in Thessalonica to do, in spite of them doing those anyway.
a) vs.1,2 - living in order to please God
b) vs.9,10 - loving one another


The question is why would Paul urge the Thessalonians to do something which they have already been doing?

The book of Thessalonians has got to do with the lack of 'hope' in the church, concerning their understanding of 'The Coming of the Lord'.
Out of the 3 cardinal virtues of Christianity: love, faith & hope - they seemed to be slightly short on 'hope'.

And Paul is urging them to keep on doing the 2 in which they are good at while focusing on the 3rd one.
Why was that important?
Wasn't it good enough to concentrate on the one which they were low at, so that can be brought to par?


I think the words of Jesus throws light into such a thought.
The 2 greatest commandments which Jesus highlighted in Matt.22:37-40 / Mark 12:30,31, supports the idea that those were vital and it has to be continued and not neglected for the sake of the other.


I like sports and love to watch the game on TV.
And often, what I noticed is the thing that makes a winner in any game, be it: Lawn Tennis / Cricket / Badminton / Table Tennis / Football / etc. - the winner is always, the person who has committed very few errors on the basics.
And it boils down to that in our Christian life as well.

Seriously, if we do the basics right, then the other mountain like challenges which face us, will not pose a threat.
It's simple, yet vital!

Are we getting the basics right in our walk with the Lord?
If not, it's time to get back to it.