Today’s devotion comes from 2 Peter 1:12-15.
“Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.” 2 Peter 1:12-15.
———————–
Today’s devotion emphasizes the importance of reminders. “Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things …” Verse 12. “ I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder …” Verse 13. “And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.” Verse 15.
I will mention three reminders: Christ, Credible and Faithful Men, and Creeds. There are more.
First, Christ reminds us of the truth.
Christ is the Head of the His church. Ephesians 1:22. Ephesians 5:23. Colossians 1:18. Christ will build His church. Matthew 16:18. Through the Spirit of truth and His servants, credible and faithful men, Christ teaches us the truth and reminds us of the truth.
“I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.” John 17:6.
“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” John 16:13
“Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.” Luke 10:1-3.
Second, credible and faithful men remind us of the truth.
“But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God,” Romans 15:15
“Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.” 1 Corinthians 4:1-2.
“For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.” 1 Corinthians 4:17
“The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2
Third, creeds remind us of the truth.
In conclusion, Christ, credible and faithful men, and creeds combine to help remind us of the truth. My testimony is in the “About Me” section of my web site. Click here: About me « Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions Here is a quote from it.
“In 1977, I moved to Florida to go to law school, and I stayed here in Florida. I attended and was a member, even a lay leader, in a large range of churches from Assembly of God to Baptist to Calvary Chapel to United Methodist to nondenominational churches and small fellowships. At first, I thought Reformed Doctrine would be preached in all Christian Protestant churches. When I heard some strange preaching or teaching, I first thought that the problem was just with that particular minister or teacher. Eventually, a childhood friend, who now lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, asked me if I remembered “TULIP” which is also known as the Five Points of Calvinism and the Reformed Doctrine of salvation. I studied the differences between Calvinism and Arminianism. That study made me aware that often what bothered me was not just bad preaching or teaching, but rather the problem was caused by bad doctrine (Arminianism) that broadly and deeply affected that church and its denomination which at some time of its history strayed away from Reformed Doctrine rediscovered in the Reformation. In contrast to this bad doctrine which I encountered, I began to appreciate more the truth, logic, beauty, and simplicity of “TULIP” which was my heritage. I recognized its importance, because most Protestant denominations do not teach it. I am now passionate about promoting ”TULIP” a/k/a Reformed Doctrine.”
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 