Wale Olasoji

Generally in life, people tend to forget the basics. But the basics are the strength on which anything is built. Whatever we learnt later in Calculus and algebra could only be understood because we did some simple arithmetic in primary school. A skyscraper is built on a foundation laid. There is a simplified structure that gives colour to the whole.

So it is in the spiritual life. As we go on in our Christian journey,

we tend to make everything look so complex. Complexity in spirituality leads nowhere. To be a sound Christian, you need to have simplicity. In order words, we must not let go of the basics. Every structure we build later must agree with the principles learnt at the foundational classes. Without a strong foundation, we are not going too far in our spiritual life. It is not a matter of if the spiritual structure will collapse; it is a matter of when it will.

Samson felt the anointing could make up for deficiency in his character. He ignored the call to look at the basics. He matured too soon and his star dimmed too early. We cannot ignore cracks in our morals and think that zeal will make up for it.

Many people ask me how they can get to know God better. It is by following the basics. You will observe the style of the writing of the apostle. Simple instructions that even a child can follow.

• Let him that stole steal no more. Very simple.
• Lie not one to another. It couldn’t be simpler.
• Give no place to the devil.
• Thou shalt not commit adultery.
• Love the Lord with all your heart.

The general complaint today is that people that profess the name of the Lord are not living right. Is it not because we are becoming so mystical about our approach to things? People are looking for Pentecostal deliverance from just about anything. How do you explain when tongue-talking people are stealing and embezzling public funds? What of when people in the church have sticky hands – they literally steal. People cannot discipline themselves in the area of sexual immorality. People say that they are going somewhere when they mean the exact opposite – blatant lies.

Integrity, honesty, faithfulness, kindness, longsuffering, gentleness, patience, respect for elders are at an all-time low. The problem is not that we are not reading our bibles, it is that we are losing grip of sound doctrine. This is a clarion call for us to go back to the basics. Let us start obeying the law. Churches should stop pasting posters everywhere. Believers should start obeying traffic lights where it is working. We should stop shunting on the road. Stop stealing and stop telling lies. Relate with the opposite sex with all purity.

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