SPIRITUAL AMNESIA
Text: 2nd Peter 1:5-11
Introduction-
Most of you are familiar with the mental con-
dition called amnesia. A person might be invol-
ved in an accident, perhaps a blow to the head,
and then, for a period of time, not remember a
lot of things, such as who they are, where they
live, what happened to them, etc.
I wonder, is that possible spiritually? Could
a person have a genuine, authentic experience with
Jesus Christ, be truly born-again, and then forget
that experience? Apparently so, that is, accord-
ing to the Apostle Peter. He says that some had
"forgotten that he(they)had been purged from his
(their)old sins."
Let’s consider this spiritual condition of the
soul this morning.
Now, Peter was writing to encourage others to be more
devoted to Jesus. He had already told them that God
had given them all things that pertain to godliness,
and that He had endowed them with many precious
promises, and clothed them in the Divine nature, yet
some seemed to be lacking in true Christian charact-
er. They seemed to have forgotten their conversion
experience, and lost their spiritual perception.
Peter encouraged them to add to their faith certain
qualities that would prevent them from lapsing in
Christian commitment, and giving anyone the impress-
ion that they never had really been saved.
He spoke of the need of virtue, knowledge, temper-
ance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and
most of all, charity (or God-like love).
If they added these qualities to their lives, then
they would not be deficient in any way in their
spiritual usefulness. Peter spoke of "near-sighted
Christians," who could not see far off, whose
spiritual perception had been dimmed. They had
forgotten who they were. They were not growing.
Our expeience with Jesus ought to be an ever-growing
expeience, becoming more and more like Him each day,
and being filled with the power of God more and
more. Consider-
I. THE REALITY OF SPIRITUAL AMNESIA.
A person can loose his spiritual perception. He
can become short-sighted and forget his cleansing
from sin, and his commitment to Christ.
Perhaps you know of those who once seemed to love
God, and His church, but now they are nowhere in
sight, living in the flesh, and with seemingly no
spiritual concern whatever.
They need to be shaken back into the reality of
who they are, and what happened to them that day
that they met Jesus.
II.Secondly, NOTICE THE CAUSES OF SPIRITUAL AMNESIA.
What is it that creates this state of mental and
spritual confusion in believers?
1. Perhaps it is laziness in the Christian walk.
Not staying close to God. Not fellowshiping
with other believers.
2. Or, maybe it is worldliness that has crept in,
draining them of spiritual strength, and cloud-
ing their understanding, so that they refuse to
hear the voice of God anymore.
3. Or, it could be that a lack of prayer and
Bible study has hindered them so that they are
ill-equipped for a battle with the Devil, and
Satan has a hayday with them, seeking to destory
them, and their Christian witness.
4. Or, perhaps they have gotten sidetracked and
caught up in some cult or splinter group that
has drawn their hearts away from Christ.
III. Thirdly, LET’S NOTICE THE CURE FOR THIS MALADY-
SPIRITUAL AMNESIA.
It is a disease, and it will destroy a Christian’s
life and witness for the Lord, unless it is cured.
1. It can only be cured by a return to God, and
the things of God-prayer, Bible study, worship,
righteousenss, etc.
2. It can only be cured as the individual re-
discovers the love that God had for them when
He saved them by the blood of Jesus.
When the true doctrine of salvation by grace
unmerited, and undeserved returns to their
hearts, they will find rest for their troubled
souls.
It will then develop a hunger for God, and the
things of God within them.
Conclusion-Are you suffering from spritual amnesia?
Invitation-I invite you to return to Christ today,
who can cleanse, forgive, and heal you of this
spiritual malady.
