2 Peter 1:12-15 

¹² So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. ¹³ I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, ¹⁴ because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. ¹⁵ And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

I know I know!

            If you were telling something and your listeners respond, “I know, I know!” how do you interpret that? Do listeners imply that they are not interested of what you were saying, or they want you to stop? Do you also assume any possibility that some listeners are not very careful in their statement, how they respond?

            Sometimes, we tell stories that we already have told before, and listeners may even heard it many times. Their response may imply that they are interested about the same old story or they are tired of listening to repetitive utterance. How should we respond when we hear the same admonition again and again?

            God knows when we need to be reminded. He will repeat his instruction. He reminds whenever it’s needed. It says in Deuteronomy 31:23, ²³The Lord gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you.”

            Do you know how many times the Lord commanded Joshua to “Be strong and courageous?” God instructed Joshua four times to be strong and courageous. Moses also commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous. And the Israelites who crossed the Jordan River told Joshua to be strong and courageous.

            So, Joshua heard it six times that he should be strong and courageous.

If you were Joshua and you heard a reminder six times, how will you respond? Joshua responded positively, and the Israelites served the Lord throughout his lifetime. It is very helpful for us in our spiritual journey to be reminded regularly.

1.  Remind

¹² So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 

            The Scripture declared that Christ delivered everything we need for godly life. It is by faith we believe that truth. We are also advised to make every effort for us to have productive faith—faith that is manifested in goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection and love. Why is that?

You heard it said, “Action speaks louder than word.” So, whenever we testify of the transformation that God performed in our life, our behavior and lifestyle will certainly be effective proof of our testimony. What do you think?

We should remember and not forget that we’ve been purified from sins.

We should frequently check our faith if it has produced goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection and love in our life.

If those qualities are manifested in our life, we should expect and have no doubt at all that rich welcome awaits us in the eternal kingdom of Christ our Lord. And why do we need to be reminded of those things, if we already know them?

By faith, we trust that God knows what is best for us, even spiritual reminders.

            Christ Jesus declared in John 14:26-27, ²⁶The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

            Pray that anyone who hears the word of God may appreciate it. Praise God when we hear warnings of the end times. Praise God when we attentively listen, and we sense peace deep within our innermost being. Why? Sheep listen to their shepherd. And, peace from the Holy Spirit of God confirms that we belong to him.

Everyone, young and old, we need reminders occasionally. What do you think?

Tool box

Few years ago, my wife bought a tool box as birthday gift for me. Surely, I was very grateful and arranged my tools inside the tool box. I left the tool box inside the garage after working outside the house. At one time, I rushed to my appointment and never bothered to check if I closed the garage or not.

You know what happened? The garage was open. The toolbox was gone. It is not great feeling. Because of forgetfulness, I lost a very precious gift.

Christ declared in John 10:10, ¹⁰The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

            There will always be thieves anywhere around the world. Nevertheless, if Christ is active in our life, we should be concerned about eternal treasure rather than worldly wealth that thieves may want to steal. It helps to be reminded of our eternal destiny and to be refreshed of our memory regarding our faith in Christ.

2.  Refresh

¹³ I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, ¹⁴ because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 

            The physical body is a tent, a housing of the soul. Apostle Peter may have hinted that his death was near. Sooner or later, everyone will face the reality of death. One may live long or short, we will leave this earthly body. So, it is very advisable for us to be reminded about the condition of our faith in Christ.

Let’s refresh our memory. When we put our faith in Christ, God has given us the right to be his children. It is proper for us to practise faith and goodness.

Bad Element

One particular alarming trend has become disturbance. Part of festivities during celebration, revelers become wild; they destroy properties of others. When protesters rally against anybody or when they promote their agenda, they ransack and steal things from establishments. Bad elements of the society take advantage of such chaotic situations where law enforcers are not empowered by authorities.

            This trend has infected the mindset of church attendees to assume that it’s their right to disregard authorities; they just follow their natural instinct. It is instinctive for humans to resist authorities, which is why we need reminders.

We are reminded in Titus 3:1-8, ¹Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, ²to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. ³At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ⁸This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

            We are reminded to devote ourselves learning how to be obedient to God.

We should focus on our calling. What is your calling? All of us are called to testify of the transformational work of God in our life. God has already situated us where potential believers observe our lifestyle and behavior. We have to be aware of it.

Remember what it says in 1 Peter 5:8-9, ⁸Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

            For sure, the devil would not like anyone to follow the Lord. We may have difficulties similar to other people, but our response to difficulties testifies to our faith in Christ. It is not our duty to transform or force anybody to believe in Christ.

We are called to testify of the goodness and love of God. Remember that.

3.  Remember

¹⁵ And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

            What did Apostle Peter imply when he mentioned about his departure?

Did the original recipient know that he was about to die. Peter did not specifically mention about his death to avoid confusion among those who may read his letter. His imminent departure was also a reminder for readers that, everyone will soon leave this earth. We should also remember that such reality is universal truth.

            Someone advised, “If you want to be popular, preach happiness; if you want to be unpopular, preach holiness.” Truly, genuine believers will appreciate it when reminded of the impending return of Christ. And other individuals can be furious when we tell them about looming Judgment Day. Resistance to God is not new.

It happened in the past centuries. It will happen again in the future because humans instinctively oppose the will of God. When we share the gospel of Christ to relatives and friends and they reject it, it is not very inspiring experience.

Windmill

            Such rejection reminds me of a story of a school boy who saved his village from drought. The drought was devastating; food was scarce; most villagers had left. In that village, there’s a boy who was very interested in fixing broken radios. He learned about electrical engineering and energy production by reading books.

            With the help of his friend he successfully made a small prototype windmill.

He presented it to his father. His father was amazed. Then he asked, “Father, can I dismantle your bicycle and use its parts to build a bigger windmill to power their broken water pump?” The father can’t believe that his son wanted to destroy the only bicycle in the village, and last valuable asset of their family.

In anger, the father destroyed the prototype windmill that his son made.

To cut the story short: The mother intervened; they used parts of the bicycle.

They built the windmill with the help of other villagers. When water started to come out of the pump, everyone jump in excitement, and they planted their crops. This story of a boy who built a windmill spread. He was offered scholarship and eventually received a degree from a prestigious university in America.

Sharing the good news of salvation faces many challenges. Why?

The father rejected the idea of his son to build a windmill because he did not know how the windmill produces power for the water pump. Similarly, the natural human mind cannot conceptualize ideas that come from God.

We must pray that potential believers will be filled with the Holy Spirit of God. We pray that relatives, friends and acquaintances will eventually realize their need of salvation from eternal death through Jesus Christ. And that they may personally explore and experience the goodness of God as we do. The Holy Spirit regenerates our mind for us to conceptualize that everything is possible with God.

It is always proper for us to be reminded of our mandate to testify of the goodness of God and to make disciples. But how should we explain the authority of Christ? It stated in Matthew 28:18-20, ¹⁸Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

            By faith we believe that Christ has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. He has the authority to regenerate anyone to believe in him, just as he enabled us to personally believe in him. Our part is to testify how Christ transformed us, to disciple and to teach disciples to obey him as Lord and Savior.

The celebration of the Lord’s Supper should remind us of the death and resurrection of Christ. Let’s refresh of our memory that by his death on the cross, Christ paid for the penalty of our sins. Christ resurrected and prepared heaven for each of us who believes in him. As we wait for his return, we should be prayerful and tell potential believers of what Christ has done on the cross.

            May all of us store up much eternal treasure for ourselves in heaven!

May all of us be welcomed into eternal kingdom as faithful servants!

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