The Need for Reminders

Cross-references For Better Understanding a Related Topics b Additional Materials c

The purpose of reminders is to bring to one's attention something that is important. It may be something that the person already knows, but it needs to be in the forefront of their thinking.

The need for reminders seems especially true when the issue has to do with something that people tend to view as "negative," such as judgment and warnings about false teachers. (From God's standpoint, such warnings are not "negative"; but influences from the world around us may give some people a tendency to view them as such.)

The Apostle Peter's Focus on "Reminders"

The apostle Peter frequently reminded people of things they already knew. In the following passages, we read about some of the things he reminded people about, as well as the reason for reminders. Each of these passages use the word "reminder" (or equivalent).

• In 2 Peter 1:12-15, Peter tells the importance of reminders. In that context, the focus of his reminder is on: 1) how followers of Jesus must live (previous verses), and 2) how false teachers would come and distort this truth (chapter 2).

• In 2 Peter 3:1, Peter tells us that both of his letters were intended as reminders.

The themes of 1 Peter include: 1) the wonders of salvation, 2) the anticipation of suffering for Jesus in this present life, and 3) how to live in this present life.

In the immediate context of the verse in 2 Peter 3, the emphasis is on: 1) how the wicked will mock the promise that Jesus is returning to judge the world, and 2) the judgment will come in spite of their mocking.

2 Peter 1:12-15 / 2 Peter 3:1-4a 2 Peter 1:12-15 - Therefore I will not be negligent to remind you of these things, though you know them, and are established in the present truth. I think it right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you; knowing that the putting off of my tent comes swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. Yes, I will make every effort that you may always be able to remember these things even after my departure. 2 Peter 3:1-4a - This is now, beloved, the second letter that I have written to you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by reminding you; that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandments of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior: knowing this first, that in the last days mockers will come, walking after their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of his coming? ... [See also 1 Peter, the first of the two letters he refers to, in v. 1.]

Some Other New Testament Passages which Focus on "Reminders"

• A similar focus on judgment (also with the word "remind") is found in Jude 1:5.

• An example of the apostle Paul reminding people of something they already knew is found in Acts 20:29-31. We read that he warned about false teachers ("wolves") night and day for the space of three years!

Jude 1:5 / Acts 20:29-31 Jude 1:5 - Now I desire to remind you, though you already know this, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who didn't believe. Acts 20:29-31 - For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn't cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears.

Old Testament Examples

Things were often used as symbols to remind the people of something. A few selected examples are given here:

• The rainbow was to be a perpetual reminder of a promise from God - Genesis 9:12-17.

• Circumcision was intended to be a perpetual reminder of Abraham's (and his offspring's) commitment to God - Genesis 17:10-14. (Unfortunately, many in Israel focused more on the ritual than on the commitment it was intended to remind them of. Eventually they began to think that the ritual itself was all that mattered.)

Genesis 9:12-17 / Genesis 17:10-14 Genesis 9:12-17 - God said, "This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be for a sign of a covenant between me and the earth. It will happen, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow will be seen in the cloud, and I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh, and the waters will no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. The rainbow will be in the cloud. I will look at it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." God said to Noah, "This is the token of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth." Genesis 17:10-14 - This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your seed after you. Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin. It will be a token of the covenant between me and you. He who is eight days old will be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he who is born in the house, or bought with money from any foreigner who is not of your seed. He who is born in your house, and he who is bought with your money, must be circumcised. My covenant will be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. The uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his people. He has broken my covenant."

Further Comments

• Many of the ceremonial rituals and symbols of the Old Testament were given as reminders.

• Repetition is one of the means used in Scripture, to help the reader remember something - though it doesn't mean non-repeated things are less important! See: Repetition and Other Linguistic Features

• Here is a potential application of this concept: Remember these things when the preacher repeats himself!

SEE ALSO:

• The Intent of the Old Testament Ceremonial Rituals
• The Need for Changed Hearts

Scripture Passages that Refer to this Page

2 Peter 1:12-15

The readers already knew the things Peter was reminding them about; in fact, they were firmly established in them. Nevertheless, Peter needed to keep warning them; a failure to do so would have been an act of negligence!

2 Peter 3:1-7

(See above comments.)

Psalm 78:1-72

This psalm is a reminder of God's faithfulness and power, contrasted to the people's continued rebellion. The purpose of the reminder was so that the children would not follow their parent's (ancestor's) examples; but would place their hope/trust in God and would obey him.

Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.