Tuesday-Reminders

So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly 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 this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.

2 Peter 1:12-14

For all their innocence and faults, for all their joys and sorrows, for all their ups and downs, there was one thing that my parents could be depended on. In spite of everything else in life, there was this very special talent that mom and dad remained consistent in till the day they died.

They were great at reminding me about the really important things in life. It didn’t matter that we moved into our house when I was six years old, whenever I was leaving the house, they always reminded me to lock the door. Whenever I came up from the basement, they asked if I remembered to turn out the lights. Before leaving the house, I always, always, always had to go back in and check to make sure the gas stove was turned off.

It didn’t matter that they had told me about these things since birth. There was no doubt that I knew what to do and how to do it. Doing these things at least a million times wasn’t good enough either. I’m sure that there was a trail of breadcrumbs somewhere in my DNA with microscopic instructions to do these things.

Every year we get out the Christmas decorations. We know exactly where they are because year after year we pack them up and store them in exactly the same place. I get the decorations down and set up the tree while Mary Ann does the actual decoration, putting everything in its proper place.

Now, we’ve been decorating our house for some time. It’s not like we’re surprised by the ornaments some interior decorator bought to make the house look festive. These are the same decorations we’ve been using for some time. And yet, we enjoy looking at them and thinking back to the time we bought them.

Peter is doing the exact same thing when he’s writing this letter to his first century readers and for us. Like my parents, He has two very important ideas in his head that needs to be shared.

1. Remembrance. Peter tells us to be presently and actively recalling the foundational truths about Jesus and his sacrifice for us. It’s like bringing something out and relooking at it.

2. Refresh. We are to be presently and actively waking up all the truths that have changed our lives. We can’t just let them sleep. They need to stirred up and mixed well throughout our mind, will, and emotions.

When we decorate the house for Christmas every year, it’s not a task that we just do without thinking or talking. Not on your life. As each ornament is carefully brought out and unwrapped, we stop and talk about when and where we got it. What it means to us. No matter how small or insignificant the ornament, it’s treated as special.

But there are some ornaments that have greater emotional and sentimental value. The ones passed down from our parents Were wrapped with the greatest care. They are also kept in a separate box that has a special label.

So, how did we get these precious Christmas ornaments from our parents? We didn’t grab them off their trees and secretly hid them in our pockets. We didn’t wait till they were asleep and quietly pack them up and take them to our car. We didn’t use our copy of their house keys and break into their house one night when they were away.

No. Our parents gave them to us. They were handed down to us. They might not be worth a lot of money, but they are of great value to us. The memories that they bring to mind are worth more than all the treasures of this world.

And while our parents gave us some ornaments for our first Christmas together, we got most of them towards the end of their lives. When they got too old to decorate their house, they went through all the ornaments and passed them down to us. They were too valuable to just throw away, so they handed them to us.

This is where we find Peter too. He’s coming to the end of his life here on this planet. He knows that his time is short. That he will soon be put aside. So, he’s taking the time to remind us about the really important things in this life. Things that matter for all eternity. Things that moth and rust can’t destroy, or where thieves can’t break in and steal.

So, what are we supposed to do instead? We have the opportunity and privilege to do something right here and now that will last for all eternity. We can store up for ourselves treasures in heaven[1]. Doesn’t that sound like something we should be interested in doing? Something worthwhile? Something worth investing in? Every so often the guy who manages our investments calls with some information and a question. He doesn’t just tell me about a stock, he asks what I want to do. Peter’s doing the same thing. He wants us to be motivated to action. To do something. The time is right now for us to remember all that God has done for us and to refresh our lives so that we live new lives.

Noodling Questions

• List three great reminders that you’ve received. Explain each.

• How can reminders refresh our lives for God’s glory and the good of people?

• What two refreshments do you need in your walk with God? Describe.

[1] Matthew 6:19-21