“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…This is now, beloved, the second epistle that I write unto you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by putting you in remembrance” (2 Pt. 1:12-13; 3:1).

Marshal Keeble is reported saying that the above passage reminded him of his mother making lye soap – she had to keep stirring it so it wouldn’t scorch. He then makes the
application: we must keep our minds stirred up so we will not scorch eternally.

A large part of what we need to do to grow spiritually is simply to be reminded of what we already know. It is important to learn new facts and principles, but many already know much of what is needed for a wonderful relationship with God. The problem is that we don’t keep in mind what we know, and we don’t always do what we should about what we know. Remember, “To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (Jam. 4:17).

Teachers have always known the necessity and the importance of “review.” It is almost as if our knowledge is “worn away” by the erosion of daily living and has to be refreshed. But whatever the reason for the loss of what we have been taught, learners are always having to relearn, and teachers who wish to make a lasting mark on the minds of their pupils will pay frequent attention to the renewal and reinforcement of what has been taught. For this reason Peter wrote to his fellow Christians, “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.”

The notion of being “stirred up” is also important. Just as we need to be reminded, we also need to be pushed out of our comfort zone. The word “provoke” is not always a bad word. In fact, it is a word that describes one of our primary needs. In the New Testament, the need to be stirred up is one of the reasons for our assembling together: “and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh” (Heb. 10:24-25).

But even with respect to God, we are not always willing to be reminded and stirred up, even by our friends. It is more comfortable to be left alone. Yet if we are unwilling to be warned when we need to be warned, we risk losing the very things that could contribute to true peace and comfort spiritually. There is a sense, then, in which the willingness to be “disturbed” is the main difference between those who make progress spiritually and those who do not.

Being reminded of truth already acquired is important. Paul said, “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you” (Phil. 3:1; ESV).

Think About It!

Have A Great Day!

Tom Moore
P. O. Box 107
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
http://www.parkheightscoc.com