SOUNDING OUT:
Caring Enough to Do Something
As Peter approached the end of his
life he became even more concerned about God’s
Word continuing beyond his lifetime. He wanted God’s
Word to always be available to God’s people. He
cared about God’s Word and God’s people.
But it didn’t stop there. Not only did he care,
he demonstrated his love and care and concern by making
diligent effort on behalf of God’s people.
II Peter 1:12-15:
Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always
in remembrance of these things, though ye know them,
and be established in the present truth.
13 Yea, I think it meet,
as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by
putting you in remembrance;
14 Knowing that shortly
I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord
Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may
be able after my decease to have these things always
in remembrance.
“Negligent”
is the Greek word, “ameleõ.”
This is a compound word which comes from “a,”
a negative particle meaning “not” or “without,”
and melõ meaning “care.”
Ameleõ means “without care”
or “careless.” This could be called a double
negative: “not” and “not caring.”
If you are “not-not caring,” then you care.
This is the figure of speech antenantiosis. It uses
the negative in order to express the positive in a very
high degree. (FOS p. 160) Peter’s care was not
anxiety or nervousness or distracting care. It was a
heartfelt love and concern for God’s people.
Because Peter cared, he resolved “to put
them always in remembrance of these things.” He
did this even though he knew that they already knew
them and were established in the present truth. This
phrase, “the present truth” in the NIV is
“the truth that you now have.” “Present”
means “to have arrived” or “to be
at hand.” Certainly if it has arrived, it is present.
“Present“ not in the sense of time, but
of location. The Word was present - it was there.
The “present truth” is not set in
opposition to a “former truth.” It simply
means “the truth you now have.” What is
the truth that they now had that they didn’t have
before? (We will have to keep reading in the context
to find out.) It was the revelation of the great mystery
which was kept secret until it was revealed to Paul.
II Peter 3:15,16:
And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation;
even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the
wisdom given unto him hath written [that’s
past tense] unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles,
speaking in them of these things; in which are some
things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned
and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures,
unto their own destruction.
The “present truth”
to which Peter referred in chapter 1, is here identified
as Paul’s epistles which was the revelation of
the great mystery. Peter noted here that even at that
time people were fighting the revelation of the mystery.
It is still being fought today. It is Christ in each
and every one of us, no difference between Jew and Gentile.
God can work in every one of us to will and to do of
His good pleasure.
Peter cared enough to put God’s people
in remembrance.
II Peter 1:12-15:
Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always
in remembrance of these things, though ye know them,
and be established in the present truth.
13 Yea, I think it meet,
[righteous, just, right.] as long as I am in this tabernacle,
[“Tabernacle” refers to one’s individual
body. “Temple,” in contrast, refers to the
body of Christ or the Church as a whole.] to stir you
up [Wake-up, arouse, and render active. How did he plan
to wake them up...] by putting you in remembrance; [Verse
14 is parenthetical. It explains and emphasizes the
urgency of his mindset and determination.]
14 Knowing that shortly
I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord
Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
15 Moreover I will endeavour
[spoudazô, to expend a diligent effort
remembering the brevity of time.] that ye may be able
after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
Peter didn’t merely
care. He demonstrated his care by exerting an effort
on behalf of God’s people. Of course he had learned
this from the master. Jesus Christ both cared and exerted
a diligent effort on behalf of God’s people. (Mark
4:35-39; John 10:10-15) People knew that Jesus cared
because he acted on their behalf. He laid down his life
for his people. As members of the Body of Christ we
should have that same genuine care for one another.
I Corinthians
12:18,24b,25:
But now hath God set the members every one of them in
the body, as it hath pleased him.
24 …God hath tempered
the body together, having given more abundant honour
to that part which lacked:
25 That there should be
no schism in the body; but that the members should have
the same care one for another.
Peter worked diligently
so God’s people would have the truth as a living
reality in their lives.
II Peter 1:12-15:
Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always
in remembrance of these things, though
ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
13 Yea, I think it meet,
as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by
putting you in remembrance;
14 Knowing that shortly
I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord
Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
15 Moreover I will endeavour
that ye may be able after my decease to have these things
always in remembrance.
Notice
the three times “remembrance” is used. That’s
the goal. That’s what Peter has in mind. How does
he get there? First, it starts with his care for people.
We care enough to put people in remembrance of the Word
and the greatness of the revelation of the mystery. Second,
it is righteous, just, and right to arouse people by putting
them in remembrance. People are established as we wake
them up or arose them by continuing to bring the Word
to their remembrance. Thirdly, to complete it, it is more
than just repeating it when it is convenient. We must
seek an occasion, look for opportunities, endeavor with
all our strength to expend a diligent effort remembering
the brevity of time.
Peter was encouraged to put forth the effort because
he knew his days were drawing short. For us the anticipation
of Christ’s return provides the reality of the urgency
of the times we have to put people in remembrance. It
is always the right time to care enough about God, His
Word, and His people to put each other in remembrance
of the greatness of the Word of God and the great mystery.
I trust that the Living in God’s Power
series will be helpful to allow God’s people to
keep these things always in their remembrance.
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