Fundamentals

Good coaching goes this way: “back to fundamentals boys, back to the basics.” The hidden word here is “foundation,” and any team going anywhere has to build from the bottom. When that group forgets what got them to their present successes; they need to go back and do a revisit now, (I mean Right Now!). Hey, if the Bettenhausen Lady-birds’ softball team drift too far, they lose sight of the nest, and the chickadees ain’t gettin no food! Its time to get back to business! This is a comic picture but true.
 
“We need more unity, we gotta get together, we ain’t sticken together as a unit.” What happened? Well, it happened in the hearts of the individuals first, manifesting itself second in the “lean mean fighting machine.” The synchronized power-generator started disintegrating because of the parts breaking down. For the Mannheim Sheep Dogs, maybe, the wolf in sheep’s clothing worked the periphery, and snagged a few meandering young ones.
 
“There is no “I” in team.” folks. We know the cliches. The concept of “I” can go a few different ways: a player gets down on his own performance, sulks, or vows to do more next time. Two, a teammate determines he is the only really talented shooter, and decides to take all the shots next game. Three, the current outcome of the matches declines, and fellows introspect. What is wrong? Is it my fault?

The game of Golf enters the discussion uniquely, because the “team” of the tournament-entry individual ever embraces all the pieces surrounding him too. Yes, his or her “team” consists of a good swing, a putting alignment, a club selection, a relaxed mental attitude etc. The billiards player parallels here too with a stroke, an aim, an english, and a nerve quenching patience etc. See, just about every skill requires unity and cohesion of the parts, whatever they be, and that also includes our fundamental life.

Let’s take it a step further even as we consider the spirit of a man. The goal in Ephesians 4 is to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. How can this be done? Is the Spirit fragmented? No, the Spirit is not divided, but everything else seems to be, because of the fall of Adam.
 
The mind doubles up with good and evil at opposite poles. The heart divides its loyalties. The conscience accuses or excuses and functions by shepherding our conduct. The emotions respond, mostly, but react at mental “atrocities”. The conscious part of man introspects or objectifies, it can’t do both together. The will is bent toward mysteries, and wrestles frustrated at its powerlessness at times.
 
“The flesh profiteth nothing, the words that I speak unto you; they are spirit and life.” John 6:63. Are we ready to concede to this truth? Believers, we have been birthed into the realm of the Spirit, of an incorruptible seed, into the body of Christ, and made to drink of that Spirit. Alive unto God, and dead to,”missing the mark”, we waver no more in our singleness of eye, our secret agendas have been broken.
 
In the simplicity of answering to One and obeying the only One, our shattered soul can integrate. “Peace” in the Greek language is a joining, integrity?—unification. The bond? The Cross of Jesus, O sacred Head! He is our peace who has broken down the middle wall of partition, between Jew and Greek, so making peace. There is no Jew or Greek, male or female, bond or free, but all are one in Christ.
 
So what fundamental basics do we get back to? Walk in the Spirit by the faith of the Son of God, and lean not to my own soulish skills which divide me. Yes, I want to be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, but THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS OF GOD BY FAITH! Not “I” but Christ lives in me, and my life goes this way: “I will perform the thing concerning thee,” God talking.
 
Finally, what’s it like in the Spirit realm? Love shed abroad in the heart by the Spirit, and joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, faith meekness, temperance sums it up. The skills to be a gracious team player, a covering husband, a caring parent, a peacemaker, become mine wherever I go. I have spiritual integrity. A friend, an advocate, a servant, a brother, a communicator, conversationalist, helper and ambassador, follows. My relationship hang ups went away with the Cross and Spirit.  Thank you Lord!