"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..."
2 Peter 1:12-13
The older I get, the more I forget.
Thank God for the reminders on our phones. (Seriously.) On numerous occasions, a reminder has popped up on my screen, saving me from missing an appointment or important deadline.
We need reminders in our faith, too—lots of them.
After encouraging his readers to grow in Christlike character (2 Peter 1:5-9), Peter says it's good to "remind you of these things" (2 Peter 1:12). Now, Peter is fully aware he's not telling them anything new. Instead, he's trying to "refresh their memory," keeping the pursuit of godly character at the forefront of their minds.
Any parent, teacher, or coach will tell you that saying something once doesn't cut it. It takes repetition over days, weeks, months, and sometimes, years. That's what Peter is doing—reinforcing a truth they've been taught in the past until it becomes part of who they are in the present.
Let's face it. We're forgetful people. We can walk into a room and forget why we're there (Or is that just me?) Even worse, we forget the precious truths of God's Word. Not because we don't know them; we just fail to remember them in the moment. We get distracted. We lose our focus. At times, we believe the enemy's lies and get knocked off course.
It happens to all of us.
This is why we need constant reminders.
Truth, if not revisited, fades away.
In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis quotes Dr. Samuel Johnson: "People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed." Yes, instruction is essential, for there's always more to learn. However, it's equally important to remind ourselves to put into practice what we already know. Remember, spiritual maturity isn't about information—it's about transformation.
Two key agents of ongoing transformation are daily time in God's Word and weekly worship with a local church. These rhythms remind us of truths we've temporarily forgotten. We won't always learn something new every time we read the Bible or listen to a message, but that's not the point. The point is to worship Jesus, be shaped into His likeness, and walk in the truth (3 John 1:4).
So, what truth do you need to be reminded of today?
