Remember

by Micky Galloway

In the current series of articles, we must be impressed with the power of the gospel to change lives, but of equal importance is our urgent need to use it to preach with diligence. It is a reasonable presentation of evidence intended to solicit a response of obedience and conviction. Let us consider in this article the use of the gospel to “remind” people of things we already know.

“Wherefore I shall be ready always to put you in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and are established in the truth which is with (you). And I think it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle cometh swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ signified unto me. Yea, I will give diligence that at every time ye may be able after my decease to call these things to remembrance” (II Peter 1:12-15).

No doubt Peter could see events leading to his death that the Lord had told him about (cf. John 21:18-19). Knowing that his death was imminent, he wanted to remind Christians of some things they already knew, lest they slip away from them. The work of reminding Christians of the basic truths of the gospel is just as much a work of gospel preachers today as it was for Peter. The Apostle was afraid that false teachers would lead men away from the truths of the gospel; therefore, he wrote to remind them of those fundamental truths. When I was younger, I asked an older preacher friend about preaching the same sermon over again. He said if a sermon is not worth preaching multiple times, it is not worth preaching the first time. This is true!

We are prone to forget. Israel of old was constantly reminded, “Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes saw, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life; but make them known unto thy children and thy children’s children …” (Deuteronomy 4:9). Moses warned that when they came into the promised land and began to partake of its blessings; “then beware lest thou forget Jehovah, who brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage” (Deuteronomy 6:10-12). And again, “Beware lest thou forget Jehovah thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his ordinances, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: lest, when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; and when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; then thy heart be lifted up, and thou forget Jehovah thy God, who brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage” (Deuteronomy 8:11-14). Oh, how soon and how often they had forgotten God. “Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number” (Jeremiah 2:32).

Remember His word. As with ancient Israel, an important element in our faithfulness to God is remembering His word. “Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of Jehovah your God …” (Deuteronomy 4:23). This is why we have Bible classes and “memory verses.” Paul instructed Timothy, “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging (them) in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear. Give diligence (Study, KJV) to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:14-15). Timothy was sent to Corinth to, “put you in remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every church” (I Corinthians 4:17). Remembering His word will help us in time of temptation. Young Joseph, when tempted to commit adultery with Potiphar’s wife had been taught something that he remembered. He responded, “how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). The Psalmist said, “Thy word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalms 119:11).

Remember the Savior. It was announced before Jesus was born that He would be the savior. “And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Jesus said of himself, “For the Son of man came to seek and save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Each Lord’s day when we observe the Lord’s Supper, it is to remember who He is and the sacrifice He has made for us. Jesus said, “This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me … This cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as often as ye drink (it), in remembrance of me” (I Corinthians 11:24-25; cf. Matthew 26:26-28).

Remember who you were. Paul described the condition of the Ephesians, “And you (did he make alive,) when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins … that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:1 -12). We have all been there (cf. Ephesians 2:3). Paul’s encouragement to the Ephesians was that they would “no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God …” (Ephesians 4:17-19). He goes on into the fifth chapter to elaborate on the way they used to live. Peter also describes the former lives of the Gentiles, “For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries” (I Peter 4:3). In preaching the gospel, we call upon people to forsake that kind of life, for indeed there is a better way to live! “For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world” (Titus 2:11-12).

Remember who you are. Christians had an impact on their world (cf. Acts 2:46-47; 5:14, 28, 42; 8:4; 17:6; 28:22). Jesus said to the disciples, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? … Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do (men) light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16). Don’t let your salt lose its effectiveness for good. Don’t let your light be hidden through the shame and fear of sin.

Our desire is to be “established” in these truths even “though ye know them” (II Peter 1:12). The mere fact that at present we are firm in the belief of the truth is no guarantee that we shall always continue to be. We must preach the gospel again and again, to guard us against those who would attempt to subvert our faith.