2Pe 3:1 This second
epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds
by way of remembrance.
Peter’s purpose in writing the two epistles Peter’s purpose in writing the two epistles was to
stir up the readers’ minds by reminding them the important truths which they
had before heard, but which they were in danger of forgetting. In both letters
his aim was to exhort them to holy lives and to beware of false doctrines.
Their minds, he says, were pure, that is, free from the corruptions of this
world and free from the corruption of false doctrines. Therefore, he did not
want them to become corrupted by the evil influences around them.
The word "stir" means literally to
"arouse" or "awake". It carries the idea of one who is
sleeping and is not aware of his surroundings or one who is ignorant of a
certain danger coming towards him. In this case, the Christians were made aware
of the evil influence and corruptions of this world, and the false doctrines that
were attacking the church. Peter had to remind them by putting them in
remembrance the things that were taught to them before.
We are apt to forget the things that we have heard and
learned. Who can remember the sermon that was preached last Sunday? Therefore,
elders and preachers have to constantly remind us, either by of preaching or by
writing. We all need to be aroused from time to time.
As we go about in our 24-hour day after day, we are
often so caught up with the business and pleasures of this life that we lose
sight of the things more important to us – our heavenly goal (Hebrews 12:2).
There is the danger of becoming lukewarm, and even fall away from the faith.
Hence we need the daily exhortations and the constant reminders from the pulpit
(Hebrews 3;13).
The church at Ephesus had left her first love
(Revelations 2:4). Their love for Christ had become cold. They were not as
enthusiastic as when they first started. They did not retain that strong and
ardent affection for God. Christ had to stir them up in remembrance.
The church at Laodicea had grown lukewarm (Revelations
3:16). The church at Laodicea thought they were in right relationship with God
because of their blessings. They boasted they were rich, self-sufficient, and
were in need of nothing. Well, according to this world, that’s a sign of God’s
blessings on them and so they must be doing the right things. But Christ said
they were wretched, poor, blind and naked.
Lukewarm Christians see themselves as “rich” and
self-sufficient, but the Lord sees them as “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind
and naked” (Revelations 3:17). Their lukewarm faith was hypocritical; it
was a show of faith but without the substance. Being lukewarm is saying that
you are in a right relationship with God but living like you aren’t (Titus
1:16). Christ had to stir them up to repentance.
Do you need stirring up? A self-sufficient attitude
will result in a lukewarm faith. This happens when Christians live lives of
ease and prosperity. They may go to church and practice a form of religion, but
their inner state is one of self-righteous complacency. In other words, their
faith doesn’t mean very much to them. They aren’t particularly enthusiastic
about it, nor are they hostile toward it. They are simply seat warmers. They
need stirring up!
We need to be constantly stirred up because we are
ever so forgetful of the things that are taught to us. It’s the reason we need
to assemble each Sunday: “And let us consider one another to provoke unto
love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24). The word “provoke” means to stir
up.
Are you growing cold in your faith? Are you living a
holy life? If you aren’t, I hope this message will stir you up.
Jimmy Lau
Psa
119:97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
 |
Virus-free. www.avg.com
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.