Let Me Remind You To Remember
II Peter 1:8-15
Someone has said "The only thing faster than the speed of thought is the speed of forgetfulness." Many of us would agree that this is certainly true. For the most part, forgetfulness is insignificant. But there are times when we forget things and it has serious consequences. For example, it is quite awkward to be preaching a funeral and to forget the name of the deceased, I am ashamed to say that I have been there. It is also very embarrassing to officiate a wedding and forget the name of the bride. On one occasion I asked “Jason, will you take Michelle to be your wedded wife?” And he responded “no, because her name is Ashley!”
Many of the things that we forget will not have a lasting impact, but there are some that have eternal implications. If we forget or disregard what we have been taught concerning how we should live for the Lord, this will have an eternal impact. There are people that we could have reached for Christ who will be neglected. There are rewards we could have received that we will miss out on and there is spiritual growth that we could have experienced that will pass us by.
Peter realized the importance of his readers remembering those things that they had been taught. As a result he sought to remind them of some very important truths. In verses 12-15 he says:
“Therefore I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of my body, because I know that this tent will soon be laid aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to ensure that after my departure, you will be able to recall these things at all times”.
Peter declares that he would continue to remind them of "these things" as long as he lived. What are “these things”? This is a reference to the attributes that he describes in verses 5-7. There he speaks of certain things Christians are to “add to” their faith. Those verses describe such characteristics as virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.
It was Peter’s desire that the brethren would remember these truths even after his death. Some 40 years earlier, Jesus had revealed to Peter that a day was coming when he would die a martyrs death. The aged Apostle knows that at this point in his life that the end is drawing near.
A truly devoted pastor will possess an innate desire for the people under his care to know, believe, apply, and remember the truths of God’s Word. Even a long tenured minister of the Gospel only has but a short time to equip those who have been entrusted to his care. I have had the honor and privilege of standing in this pulpit for fifteen years and proclaiming the word of God. To be honest, this journey has lasted four times longer than I initially expected. I do not know how much longer God will allow me to serve you, nor do I know how much longer I will “remain in this tent” (to quote Simon Peter). Therefore, I am consistently reminded of the importance of equipping you to the best of my ability while I have this opportunity.
I can honestly say that my desire is the same that Peter had when he penned this Epistle. I genuinely hope to “to stir you up by reminding you” of the truths of God’s Word. I would like to walk through these verses and preach on the subject “Let Me Remind You To Remember”.
- There are several things that are necessary for the people of God to keep at the forefront of their minds. Therefore:
I. LET ME REMIND YOU TO REMEMBER YOUR INSTRUCTION
v8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Peter points out that if the qualities that he described in verses 5-7 are present and increasing in the lives of the brethren, they will be fruitful in their ministry efforts and in the Christian life as a whole. In contrast to this, if one has knowledge unapplied their knowledge is ineffective, useless and their lives will be unfruitful.
As Christians we have received ample instruction. We have attained knowledge through Biblical preaching, scripture-based teaching and the personal discipleship of faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.
We live in an age where we have more access to Biblical knowledge and legitimate Christian teaching than any other generation at any point in history. Whether we use the vast tools at our disposal, or simply study a single physical Bible, we are able to learn everything that we need to know about the Christian life through the inspired Word of God.
In Proverbs 8:33, King Solomon said – “Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it”. He said in Proverbs 13:1 “A wise son hears his father’s instruction”. In the same way, a wise Christian will hear and heed the Heavenly Father's instruction.
In the context of 2 Peter 1:8, Peter is referring to those things that we are to “supplement” (or “add to”) our faith. If we follow the biblical instruction that we have received, we will be fruitful for the Lord, we will be witnesses of Jesus Christ, we will reach others with the Gospel, we will have an impact on the Kingdom and our lives will bring glory to the Father. These things are only possible if we remember our instruction. If we forget, or disregard what we have been taught, we will be “barren & unfruitful".
A Christian life that does not exhibit the characteristics that Peter describes in the previous verses will be ineffective at best. In fact, if these qualities are not present in your life, you will be virtually indistinguishable from one who is lost. Tragically, there are some professing Christians who no longer show evidence of these traits because somewhere along the way they have forgotten the instructions that they have previously received.
In verse 13, Peter declares that it was his desire to "stir up" the brethren by way of remembrance. To "stir up" means to wake fully. If you have forgotten your instruction, I pray that this will be the day that you awake from your sleep and remember the instruction that you have received. It is only when this happens that you can once again be fruitful for the Lord.
- As we move into verses 9-10:
II. LET ME REMIND YOU TO REMEMBER YOUR SALVATION
“For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble”
You would think that it would be a near impossibility to forget that we have been cleansed from our old sins. Unfortunately this is an all-too-common phenomenon.
There are days in our lives that stand out above others. I will never forget the fist time I saw my wife. I remember the day we were married like it was yesterday. I vividly remember the day that each of my children was born. I remember the standing in this pulpit for the first time. But above all else, I remember December the 7th, 1997. That was the day that my life was changed forever. It was the day that I went from death unto life. That was the day that I was born again.
Remembering our salvation involves more than a specific date or a memory of a special place. It involves reflecting on the reality that Jesus did something for us that we could not do for ourselves. In salvation we were regenerated, set apart, cleansed, forgiven, redeemed, and transformed immediately and eternally.
Tragically, there are some who experienced all of this, but somewhere along the way they have forgotten that they were "purged from their old sins". Peter goes on to say that such a one is "blind and cannot see afar off".
If your life is not marked by the characteristics mentioned in verses 5-7 then there is a real possibility that you doubt your salvation. When this evidence of salvation is not present, assurance is difficult. Not only will others question the genuineness of your faith, you will lack confidence as well.
Chances are that every believer here has doubted his/her salvation at one time or another. This passage teaches us that if we will supplement our faith with these Christian qualities, we can enjoy full assurance of our salvation. This assurance is at the very heart of Peter’s instruction in the opening verses of this letter. God has chosen a people to be His own. Obviously, in His infinite wisdom, God knows each and every one of His Elect. However, there are some of the Elect who struggle with assurance concerning their salvation.
Peter says that the believer who pursues the spiritual qualities mentioned above can confirm their election, (that is the reality of their salvation). When you live with virtue, knowledge, self-control, godliness, brotherly affection and love, you will be fruitful. Those around you will notice this, and you will see it yourself. When you observe these fruits in your life it will prevent you from entering into periods of doubt concerning your true position in Christ.
Therefore it is imperative that we are “diligent to make (our) call and election sure, for if (we) do these things (we) will never stumble”.
When we are certain of our election, we can live with assurance, peace, and rest in the hope of eternal life. With this eternal life comes the assurance of an eternal home. This leads us to something else that I would to remind you to remember.
- Look with me to verse 11 and:
III. LET ME REMIND YOU TO REMEMBER YOUR DESTINATION
“for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
As Christians we have been assured by our Savior that we have an eternal home in Heaven. Peter declared that we could rest in the fact that we will receive and abundant entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord.
In the Roman Empire there was a special honor called a "Triumph". This was a ceremonial procession designed to honor generals for a great military victory. This was not received for just any victory; it was reserved for a major conquest. After a war had ended, the general returned to Rome. He would enter the city in a spectacular chariot that was covered with ivory and gold. This chariot would be drawn by white horses. He was given a tunic embroidered with palm leaves. And a purple toga embroidered in gold. On his feet he wore boots clad with ivory, silver & gold. A crown would be placed on his head. In one hand he would have a laurel which is an emblem of victory. In the other hand he would hold a staff which signified authority. The festivities also included music and singing. Incense was burned and there was a sweet smell in the air. Rose petals, and other scented flowers, were lavishly strewn across the road. At the end of the Triumph the honoree would enjoy a private banquet in his honor.
One day, when this life is over we will experience a grand welcome home. We will enter the everlasting kingdom where Christ reigns. We have a new body waiting for us. We will be given a robe of white. We will receive rewards. We will also enjoy a great feast that the Bible calls the "marriage supper of the Lamb".
Revelation 19:6-9 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”
We must never forget that the only reason such a triumph for the Christian is possible is because of Jesus Christ and His conquest at Calvary. Because of His finished work and perfect and acceptable sacrifice, we are assured glorious entrance into His eternal Kingdom.
“For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
As Children of God, we are recipients of so many precious promises from our Father. Our entrance into that blessed promised land, the assurance of spiritual and eternal life, a reunion with our loved ones, an eternal dwelling place, deliverance from condemnation and so much more. All of these things are not merely possibilities, they are guarantees to those who are in Christ. Knowing these truths should motivate us to supplement our faith in such a way that we live godly, Christ honoring lives!
Do you remember the instruction that has been given to you? If you truly remember what you have been taught through God’s Word, this should be motivation for you to obey it.
Do you remember your salvation? Not just the day that you surrendered to Christ, but all that you received from Him. Are you cognizant of the reality that you have been “cleaned from your old sins?” Furthermore, do you remember the eternal consequences that you deserve and have been delivered from in salvation? It the realization of the grace and mercy you have received causing you to supplement your faith with Christian virtues in an effort to honor the One who has redeemed you?
Maybe you would be honest enough to admit that some of those old sins have crept back into your life. If so, it is important for you to respond by repenting and returning to the Lord. If you will confess your sins, restoration is available.
Perhaps as you survey the description that Peter gives concerning the Christian life, you realize that you have never been born again. If so, I implore you to surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord of your life. If you will do this, then you too can experience the amazing realities that we have seen in this passage. You can live the remainder of your lives with assurance of your “abundant entrance into the Kingdom of Christ."
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