The apostle Peter knew that
his time upon the earth was limited. He was shown by the Lord Jesus
Christ that he would soon put off his temporary body which he called
his “tabernacle”, and he would leave those to whom he was writing
behind. Before he left, his desire was to stir them up by way of
remembrance of the things which were important in their relationship
with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, and in chapter one and
verse fifteen Peter adds to his desire for them. He wrote:
Moreover I will
endeavor that you may be able after my decease to have these things
always in remembrance.
The verse begins, “Moreover
I will endeavor that you may be able after my decease...” As
though Peter had not emphasized the importance of having people
remember what he had written, he adds the word “Moreover”
which means “in addition to” or “with added emphasis”.
Peter's desire was to “endeavor”
or “hasten, make haste or to exert himself and give
diligence to” what he is about to share with his readers. He knew
after his “decease” or death they would need the ability
to have his words, and since Peter knew his time was short he was
doing everything he could to make them able.
The
verse continues, “...to have these things always in
remembrance.” The apostle Peter desired that his readers would
not have misdirected ability but that they would remember what he had
written. The doctrines of Jesus Christ were principle in his mind,
and since he thought they might forget them after his death, he was
motivated to write these reminders over and over again. He never
wanted these characteristics to leave their minds, and he desired
that they would “always” have them in remembrance.
Have we
ever thought about what we would want others to remember after our
decease? Are there principles within us that we desire that others
remember and never forget after our death? One of the wonderful
traits that was developed in the apostle Peter over time was his
intense desire that everyone know the principles of the kingdom of
God. His passion, care and concern for others to know God the Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ can be gleaned through every word within
our study thus far. Perhaps as we consider this verse we too will be
inspired to leave words of remembrance with whom we are passionate.
There is one thing for certain, there will be no way for them to be
able to remember them if we should fail to write them down.
Next
time we see Peter declare he was an eyewitness to Jesus, so read
ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation” and the new marriage book “So, You Want
to Be Married” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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