Being Reminded!

Not paying attention is sometimes due to day dreaming. The body is one place, but the mind is somewhere else. It's like being awake, but with the mind asleep. This can give rise to accidents if machinery is being used or simply forgetting to do something that was supposed to be remembered. Do we ever struggle with such? Sometimes we need someone or something to AWAKEN us; bring our focus back to the real world and that of which we are to be presently involved. This can also be true regarding the spiritual focuses of our life.

When Peter urged those to whom he wrote regarding the qualities with which to supplement or add to their faith in order to live fruitful and productive Christian lives ( 2 Peter 1:5-8), he was not giving them a new instruction. He was simply reminding them of what they already knew. Still, because the qualities of virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love were not to be forgotten, but kept associated with their growing faith, Peter's intention was to make certain they were kept fresh in mind.

Peter stated this desire as he wrote. . .
"(12) Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. (13) I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to STIR YOU UP BY WAY OF REMINDER, (14) since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. (15) And I WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT SO THAT after my departure YOU MAY BE ABLE AT ANY TIME TO RECALL THESE THINGS." ( 2 Peter 1:12-15 ESV)

As long as Peter was living, this was what he was set to do. The Greek word translated "STIR YOU UP" is "diegeiro" which was used for awakening from sleep. Peter used it here metaphorically for "arousing the mind". [source: W.E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of N.T. Words]. They were qualities he wanted to STIR UP or keep AWAKE in their minds so as to live productive spiritual lives.

Every time we read the Scriptures or are reminded of them, let us be STIRRED from our slumber and AWAKENED to attentiveness so we can GET UP to live and serve as we have been called to do as Christians.

Have a great day REMAINING ATTENTIVE TO GODLY LIVING!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Remembrance