The apostle Peter wrote, “For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth” (2 Pet. 1:12). Peter stirred up the pure minds of Christians by reminding them of the foundational teachings of the gospel (2 Pet. 3:1). The truth was present with his readers even if the crisis of false teachers was on the horizon (2 Pet. 2:1).

What things was Peter reminding them of? In his letters, he mentions God’s power and promises (2 Pet. 1:2-4), how baptism saves (1 Pet. 3:21), the need to grow in their faith and knowledge (1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 1:5-8; 2 Pet. 3:18), to love the Lord and one another (1 Pet. 1:8, 22; 2:17; 3:8; 4:8; 2 Pet. 1:7) to beware of Satan (1 Pet. 5:8), and to endure suffering as a Christian (1 Pet. 2:19-23; 3:14-18; 4:1, 13-19) until one enters the eternal inheritance of the heavenly kingdom (1 Pet. 1:4; 2 Pet. 1:11).

We need to revisit the foundational truths of Christianity from time to time. If Peter needed to remind his readers of them, then we certainly need to be reminded as well. If false teachers could lead them back into the lusts and pollutions of the world which results in God’s punishment (2 Pet. 2), then they can do the same to us today. Today people question some of the most basic principles of Bible doctrine and these need to be defended. Some are new Christians and have not learned basics that we may assume they know. When we are born again, we must feed on the pure milk of the word so that we can grow (1 Pet. 2:2). Some have been Christians a long time, but still need milk; they need the first principles because they have not learned them (Heb. 5:12-14).

Rabbis in the first century often had teaching that was so involved it was hard to follow. Traditions and schools of interpretation based on the arguments of former teachers made their lectures obscure to the common people. The chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees were proud and looked down on those who were not as educated in these areas as they. Jesus, however, was the master teacher. He did not teach as the scribes (Mt. 7:29; Mk. 1:22). No one ever spoke like Him (Jn. 7:46). He put things in a way that all could understand; thus, “the common people heard Him gladly” (Mk. 12:37). In other words, the multitudes could grasp what He was saying while the most skilled student of the law was challenged by His words.

This week we are going to be reminded of some foundational truths of the gospel like the subjects we highlighted in Peter’s epistles: God, love, priorities, baptism, Satan, judgment, salvation, and heaven. These are consequential subjects. We must understand what God’s word says about them. We must hold these divine instructions dear to our hearts if we want to please God and go to heaven. Brother Todd Parsley will be with us to present these lessons. The many years Todd lived in our area working with the Lord’s church makes this like a homecoming. Will you make it a priority to come to every session you can? Will you come with us as we go back to the start and consider these foundational topics that matter the most? Your decision may determine whether you have a homecoming with your Creator in heaven one day (2 Cor. 5:1). None of us wants to instead be found shut outside and told to depart (Lk. 13:25-27). That will happen to those who have already in this life departed from the living God (Heb. 3:12). Don’t neglect what matters most. Come and draw near to God with us this week (Heb. 7:19; James 4:8).

Trials come to Christians testing our faith as a refiner’s fire tests gold (1 Pt. 1:7). We often do not look forward to trials of our faith; however, knowing they can produce steadfast endurance which brings us closer to maturity means they are often necessary for growth (Jas. 1:2-4). We can rejoice in our trials when we look to what suffering can produce in us (Rom. 5:3-5).

We often seek the easiest way and the most convenient environment in which to maintain Christianity; yet, if we are followers of Christ, as the name Christian indicates (Acts 11:26), then we must be willing to suffer with Him (Rom. 8:17). Jesus told any would-be disciple to deny self, take up his cross daily, and follow Him (Lk. 9:23). Jesus changed the world, but it was not because His life was easy. Doing the Father’s will was not convenient for Him. The devil tempted Him (Mk. 1:14). Hypocrites tried to entrap Him (Mk. 12:15). The multitudes left Him (Jn. 6:10, 66). Friends betrayed Him (Jn. 13:18-30; Mt. 27:3-5) and denied Him (Mt. 26:69-74; Mk. 14:27-31). Enemies interrogated Him (Mt. 26:57-68). Soldiers mocked (Lk. 23:11, 36), scourged (Mk. 15:15), and crucified Him (Jn. 19:23). Yet, He still did the Father’s will (Mt. 26:39; Jn. 6:38; 8:29). Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow His steps (1 Pet. 2:21).

This means that when we follow Jesus, difficulties will arise to try to discourage us from continuing to do the Lord’s will. All that live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). Consider the contrast in the words Jesus had for the church at Philadelphia who were keeping His word while enduring trials (Rev. 3:8-13) to those He had for Laodicea who because of their earthly wealth were self-satisfied, complacent, and blind to their own spiritual destitution (Rev. 3:15-22).

Obviously, this does not mean that we should seek the path of temptation (Mt. 6:13). We need daily encouragement from one another lest we are deceived into sin and depart from the living God (Heb. 3:12-14). A righteous man is tortured by what he sees and hears when he dwells among immoral people (2 Pet. 2:8). What this does mean is that we should not expect a great multitude of friends if we walk the path of truth (Mt. 7:13, 14). Some who once walked with us have forsaken the narrow way because they love this present world (2 Tim. 4:10). We should not expect all to speak well of us if we stand for truth (Lk. 6:26). The word of truth sets the disciples of Jesus apart from the world (Jn. 17:17-19). The church, as the pillar and ground of the truth, upholds the truth (1 Tim. 3:15). We are not often going to be mainstream. Let’s be on guard about compromising with the world (both secular and denominational) for numbers. When the multitudes leave the teachings of the Lord, we must stick with Him who is the way, the truth, and the life (Jn. 14:6), as Peter said after the crowd left, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn. 6:68).

Do not love the world, but rather seek God’s will (1 Jn. 2:15-17). False teaching can infiltrate the church to lead Christians to conform to the world’s practices (Rev. 2:14-16; 20-23). We should greatly rejoice when the children of God continue to walk in truth and abide in the teaching of Christ (2 Jn. 2, 6, 9). Those who are young in the faith can learn to mature, be strong, have the word of God abide in them, and overcome the wicked one (1 Jn. 2:14).