Saturday, December 26, 2009
In Remembrance
(II Peter 1:12-16)
The ability to remember is a gift from God; the necessity of reminders is the common lot of humanity. No matter how well we know something, it’s good to be reminded of it from time to time (12). In fact, part of Peter’s purpose in writing his second epistle was to simply remind believers of some of the basic truths of the Christian faith. Well-worn ground should be trodden still. It never hurts to be reminded.
Peter believed that reminders have the power to “stir up” believers (13). We who have been saved any length of time know certain truths. Being reminded of them from time to time, however, serves to rekindle the passion they should ignite. Coldness does not stem from ignorance; it stems from indifference. Reminders help us to fend off apathy.
Take church, for example. We meet three times each week—four if you count Sunday School. We repeatedly review many foundational doctrines: Christ’s death on the cross for sins, the resurrection, salvation by grace through faith, etc. These themes, along with others, receive constant attention in the preaching and teaching. Why? It’s not because you don’t know these things. It’s simply that all of us need to be reminded—to have the great truths of the Christian faith brought to the forefront of our cluttered minds.
Peter recognized his own mortality (15), and he determined to pound basic truths into the minds and hearts of those to whom he ministered. Over and over again, therefore, he taught—perhaps from different angles—the same blessed truths. And it must have stuck; because here we are today—teaching
the same things!
