Posted on 07/21/2024 4:01:04 PM PDT by metmom
“Therefore, I shall always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you” (2 Peter 1:12).
Remembering where you’ve been is the key to getting where you want to go.
The summer of 1980 was a turning point in my ministry. After nearly a dozen years as pastor of Grace Community Church, I took a three-month sabbatical. In my heart I wasn’t sure if I would come back. I felt I had taught my congregation all I knew, and I feared boring them by reiterating the same old things.
But during that summer the Lord taught me a spiritual truth that revitalized my ministry. He showed me the importance of reminding believers of truth they already know. As I read and studied 2 Peter 1, I realized the Lord had called Peter to that same ministry. The more I thought about it, the more important I realized such a ministry is, for it is all too easy to forget spiritual truth. The tragic story of Israel, whose forgetfulness of spiritual truth led to disaster, is a sobering warning.
One of the primary purposes of Communion is to remember the glorious truths about our Lord and His sacrifice on our behalf. Remembrance is also an essential aspect of assurance of salvation.
What are we in danger of forgetting? As he begins his second epistle, Peter lists several key truths Christians must not forget. He reminds us of the realities of our salvation and of the saving faith God graciously granted us based on the righteousness of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:1), resulting in grace, peace, and knowledge of Him (v. 2). As a result, we have “everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (v. 3).
Having reminded us of the glorious truths of our salvation, Peter then calls us to remember several key virtues that need to be manifest in our lives. As we study them over the next several days, I pray that God will help you to remember what you know and thereby grow in your assurance of salvation.
Suggestions for Prayer
Thank God for the unsearchable riches of His salvation.
For Further Study
Begin a program of Scripture memorization today to saturate your mind with the truths of God’s Word.
From Strength for Today by John MacArthur Copyright © 1997. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
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Studying God’s Word ping
We always have to be reminded of God’s truth, love, mercy, forgiveness, and yes, judgment upon sin.
When it comes to the Word, repetition is a good thing. Jesus is alive there and there are always new insights hearing about Him again.
I do wonder on what basis John MacArthur, a Calvinist, finds his assurance. He claims Christ’s sacrifice, but because he denies the atonement for all, how does he know that Christ died for him?
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