Foundations of the Faith (Part I)
Main Course: Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 1:3). The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons (cf. 1 Tim 4:1)
Some have left the faith because they left the foundations. The only way we can keep from falling is to have and stay with these foundations: sacrifice, discipline and humility - Pillars of the faith.
There are many people including leaders who started out in the faith but are no longer. They still worship, but they are not true worshipers. They have adopted a religious persona because they refuse to embrace the foundations of the faith: sacrifice, discipline and humility. These pillars ensure that we are found blameless, faultless (Jude 24-25).
In light of the corruption and the fast falling away, we do not have to be afraid to rise to the top if we stay and stick with the foundations, which have been tested and tried (Is. 28:16). As a result, we are safe from the corruption of the evil one. We can rest assured because these same afflictions have already been accomplished in our brethren (1 Pet. 5:9). Their victory has been witnessed by testimony of the scripture (cf. Rev. 12:11). ---cont'd