Remember

2 Peter 1:12-15
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.

We know from these verses that Peter’s death is imminent. In about 67ad, Peter was martyred by crucifixion, as ordered by the Emperor, Nero. In these three sentences, he states why he is writing this letter; he wants his readers to remember. Since he will so be gone, his words will have to keep God’s people in mind of His will.

I’m sure we’ve all known people who have died suddenly and tragically. Their final thoughts and words are lost. We can only piece together what they may have said based on our past with them. But Peter stands in the opposite category; someone who knows the end is coming very soon. The letter carries the import of what a dying man wants his people to know.

The word “therefore” begins this section, pointing us back to what was said immediately prior. Remember the “attribute ladder” from yesterday. [https://devos365.blogspot.com/2018/11/attributes-ladder.html] Suddenly the pursuit of virtue, knowledge, self-control . . . becomes more pressing. If a man who is soon to die takes the time to point them out, perhaps we do well to follow his lead. Our cultural lifestyle doesn’t provide much time for “remembering” the past or gazing back to see what God has done. But it is time well spent. “Remembering” to be a person of brotherly love is a worthy pursuit.

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