2 Peter 1:12-15

"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. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things." 2 Peter 1:12-15

Two things really jump out at me in this passage. First, Peter knows that he is nearing the end of his life. What amazes me is the reason why he knows that..."our Lord Jesus Christ has made it clear." Peter was so in tune to the leadership of the Lord Jesus in his life that he knows his life will end soon. It's revealed to us that Jesus knows this and has made it clear to Peter who has accepted this. That is trust in a sovereign God! There does not seem to be bitterness in his tone, but a sense of urgency. While he is in this tent, he is going to remind these people of truth. This brings me to the second thought. Peter does not hesitate to remind the readers of things the know and have been established in. He is unapologetic about that as well. Does he think these people are too dumb to get it! No, he understands that, as fallen people, we need to be reminded often of the truth. We constantly get distracted and easily swayed by false doctrine, even doctrine that you are firmly established in. He is reminding them because they, like he, are still growing in the Lord. The Old Testament is filled with ceremonies that were designed to remind the people of something the Lord has done that need not to be forgotten. Communion or the Lord's Table was established so that we would remember Jesus and His offering of Himself. So it is good for us to be reminded of truth, even truth that we have heard over and over again. In the context, Peter has reminded the people:
  1. That God has give us everything we need for life and godliness
  2. That God has promised us salvation from this corrupt world and into a divine relationship with Himself
  3. That need to make every effort to grow in the qualities he mentioned that are essential for us to get to know Jesus
  4. Of our cleansing from past sin
  5. To strive to align our practice with our position in Christ
  6. That there is more to life then the here and now
And this is all in the first 11 verses of the book. There is nothing earth shaking about what he said, but is something we all need to be reminded of all the time. So take some time to reflect on these 6 things and thank Jesus!

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