Reminders of Truth

“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.  Deut. 6:6-7 (ESV)

I would think that any good teacher realizes the value of repetition. I have also been told that research has shown that within an hour after hearing a spoken message, people forget up to ninety percent of it. Certainly God knew that when He said to Israel what we have read as my opening verses. As my son gets ready to go from high school to the adult world I wonder how much of God’s spiritual truths he has remembered, let alone those academic things that has made him better with math than me. However, he and I share a love for history so sharing the Biblical past has been a joy.

In spite of all the warnings and reminders through the centuries, Israel has had a great memory for the wrong things and a seemingly poor memory of God’s truth. Isaiah makes mention of it when he wrote: “For you have forgotten the God of your salvation and have not remembered the Rock of your refuge” (Isaiah 17:10a) Even we, as a modern-day people who place the label of Christian upon ourselves, tend to remember the things that are best to forget and forget those things that really should be remembered. The writer of Hebrews makes this comment concerning this: “And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him.”(Hebrews 12:5)

These are just some of those things said in the Biblical past I have shared with my son by way of reminder. The Apostle Peter did that as well with the flock that Jesus entrusted him with. In 2Peter 1:12-14 Peter wrote; “Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.” Jesus Christ has called Peter to be a Pastor and has revealed the passion for that calling in four motivations.

1. URGENCY: Peter indicates that he “will always” or “every chance I get” remind his listeners or the flock of truth whenever he was given the opportunity.

2. KINDNESS: Contrary to what we have read about Peter once he became “firmly established in the truth” the kindness of the Good Shepherd came out through him.

3: FAITHFULNESS: Peter as the Biblical Shepherd exhibits faithfulness in teaching the people God has given him. He stimulates the flock “by way of reminder” or to “refresh your memory” as long as they live in “the tent of this body”.

4. BREVITY: Peter makes it quite clear to us that he knew that the laying aside of his earthly dwelling was on the horizon.

It’s been my urgency to make sure my son, Kevin, listened to me when I told him how at one time I forgot God and didn’t regard His discipline in my own life. However, I do, by way of reminder, get the privilege of sharing with him what the Way of the Master has done and still does for me. (Props to Ray Comfort) Jesus Christ choses us, just like He choose Peter, to be His divine repeaters of His divine truths. As much as it important for us to be joined together as Freedom Fighters is it just as equally important for us to be Reminders of Truth. Amen? – Chris Hughes writes weekly for Freedom Fighter and is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy

Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 40-42; Matthew 27:27-50

Quote of the day: “No one can know truth except the one who obeys truth”—A.W.Tozer

Verse to Memorize: Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope! Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually! Psalm 119:116-117 ESV