(ThyBlackMan.com)
2 Peter 1:13 KJV
Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
This is a puzzling thing, but as I peruse the Scriptures, the phenomenon of forgetfulness permeates the New Testament as well. One could point a condemning finger at Israel with their incredible experiences and wonder how they could ever forget God, but that isn’t entirely fair, is it? Sure, the Lord provided feasts and sacrifices to assist in bringing to remembrance His past dealings with the nation, but there was more to be revealed. New Testament believers enjoy a fellowship with God they could only dream of. We don’t require a physical high priest to step into the Holy of Holies and offer sacrifices. Neither do we have to search for the appropriate gift to render to God, for Jesus is the perfect sacrifice and High Priest for our souls. We now have the privilege of boldly approaching the throne of grace, something if we went back in time to declare and demonstrate could cause stoning for blasphemy. Can you imagine man approaching God?! Or, our bodies becoming the sanctuary and temple of the Holy Spirit, and us living as perpetual sacrifices, was inconceivable. Yet with all this light and full expression of God’s will, New Testament believers are admonished to remember.
Let me remind you that we see it in the pastorate and writings of the Apostle Peter. In his second address, after previously exhorting them because of the intense persecution they were facing, he writes to stir up their pure minds by way of remembrance concerning Christian virtues that God delights in. I imagine he felt the task needful because suffering can profoundly impact a person’s behavior. An individual can become embittered and cynical due to being unjustly treated, and Peter would not have his congregants neglect the character of Christ because of the conditions they faced. And children of God, we must remember to hold our composure and Christlike discipline when scrutinized and falsely accused. We mustn’t become vengeful nor dejected, for so suffered our Lord, and who are we to live a better life than He?
Further, we witness this ministry of remembrance in the writings of the Apostle Paul. Throughout his first missionary journey, Paul travels through Galatia, particularly the cities of Iconium and Lystra, where they saw some success though dogged by virulent Judeans. However, God would prove faithful by confirming His word with signs and wonders. Sadly, no matter how miraculous the ministry or magnificent the message, these Galatians were soon removed to “another gospel” to avoid persecution from the Jews. This prompted Paul to write a letter chastising their fickle faith and reestablish them to stand fast in the liberty where Christ has made them free. And dear child of God, let me remind you; you don’t have to compromise your beliefs to escape ridicule. I know the trend of the day is to get along with everyone to avoid cancellation. The tendency is to morph our beliefs into the accepted norms of society. Yet, indeed, we see how fickle society is. In the same breath, they champion and condemn the same thing. You’ll notice articles condemning antisemitism but then turn around and see praise of those who make a mockery of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the way of the world, but let me remind you, Jesus has overcome the world, and we needn’t bow for their acceptance.
Finally, we see it in the short letter of Jude, the brother, and servant of Jesus Christ. This poor author tried hard and gave all his diligence to write something else. He desired to encourage them concerning the “common salvation”- the salvation they all shared. Instead, something prodded his pen to write and put them in remembrance to fight for the faith once committed. To endure and persevere in the faith and not fall victim to the enemies within that would pervert their beliefs was his warning. And let me remind you, child of God, it doesn’t matter how you start in Christ; it matters that you finish. We all came to Christ in various ways, but we must not allow creeps in the pulpit or pews to pollute our faith and redirect us from life to death by espousing unbiblical lifestyles.
Dear child of God, our faith isn’t fickle; it’s established by blood, the very blood of Jesus Christ, and verified by the work of the Holy Spirit. We have a more sure word of prophecy and perfect law of liberty encased in the Scriptures – the Bible. Make good use of it, and keep yourself in remembrance of the things God has done and will do because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.
Staff Writer; C. E. Davis
This man of God can also be found online over at; InfiniteTruth Devotion.
One may also drop an email: CEDavis@ThyBlackMan.com.
I wish to thank you for this reminder as well! Could you explain the phrase “redirect us from life to death”, please?
“We all came to Christ in various ways, but we must not allow creeps in the pulpit or pews to pollute our faith and “redirect us from life to death” by espousing unbiblical lifestyles.
How can anyone or anything “redirect” me from, or cause me to lose, my eternal life in Christ into death??? If I am grounded in the truth and filled with the Holy Spirit, that is contrary to scripture!! Once eternal life is gained, how can it be lost??
Thanks for this reminder. Psalm 78 is also a great reminder to pass on what we have learned so that the generations to come might know them…
Culturally silent pastors are little judas’s in our day and for the last 30 years in particular. Handing the USA over to the devil on a silver platter is what they have done by being cowardly and culturally silent against Christ. When good men, hide…..
all sorts of heresy has captured even the flock because they have had no guidance apart from CNN. Enough said. The fear of God should be upon the pastors coast to coast that have sold God out in these end times to preserve their 30 pieces of silver. Some have remained faithful. but the Methodist denomination sold out to demons years ago. Most churches are infiltrated with communnists and doctrines of devils to some degree unchecked and stealth in the the invasion. The lay persons that are studied to show themselves approved, do not hold the pastors accountable form the pew wither. But each will answer to God in the end for their flowery speeches that ignore the elephant against Christ is the room for decades. this article is another flowery speech that ignores the evil choking the flock, families, children, the unborn as well….and the pastors facilitating it with their virtual silence if not cheerleadiung the devil directly.
Beautifully and truthfully said. Holy Spirit directed. Thank you!
I could write 10 books about this, but i will not.Beacause i will be talking on deaf ears. RODNEY KING SAID IT BEST.”WHY CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG!!!!!NUFF SAID………..SATAN IS HATE AND ANGER,GOD IS LOVE.THERE IS ENOUGH HATE AND ANGER ON HIS EARTH.IT IS NOT OURS.TO REACH THE SUN.AND ONLY ENOUGH LOVE TO REACH THE MOON!!!!HUMANITY IS DOOMED,AND WILL BE DESTROYED AT THE RETUN OF JESUS.ONCE AJAIN.ONLY THE THE GOD FEARING RIGHOUSE WILL LIVE, AND HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.ALL OF HIS WAYWARD CHILDREN WILL PERISH.AND END UP IN SATANS PIT,GAME OVER!!!!!!!!!I WILL SAY NO MORE,BECAUSE I AM NOT THE JUDGE,ONLY HE IS.AND HE WILL JUDGE EVERY ONE,DEAD AND ALIVE……
I could write 10 books about this, but i will not.Beacause i will be talking on deaf ears. RODNEY KING SAID IT BEST.”WHY CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG!!!!!NUFF SAID………..SATAN IS HATE AND ANGER,GOD IS LOVE.THERE IS ENOUGH HATE AND ANGER ON HIS EARTH.IT IS NOT OURS.TO REACH THE SUN.AND ONLY ENOUGH LOVE TO REACH THE MOON!!!!HUMANITY IS DOOMED,AND WILL BE DESTROYED AT THE RETUN OF JESUS.ONCE AJAIN.ONLY THE THE GOD FEARING RIGHOUSE WILL LIVE, AND HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.ALL OF HIS WAYWARD CHILDREN WILL PERISH.AND END UP IN SATANS PIT,GAME OVER!!!!!!!!!
I have been studying the men of the Bible and I was wondering where I needed to go next and I read this and knew… I need to study Jude. Thank you…
Amen! Stand firm in the faith. It’s all about Jesus who chose his earthly fate so that we may be saved. Jesus keeps his promises. They are verified by His blood.
Thank you for this encouragement. I really appreciate it and was very blessed from reading this.