Why is it important to "remind them of these things"? The Immediate Call to Remind 2 Timothy 2:14 sets Timothy in front of the church with two imperatives: • “Remind the believers of these things.” • “Charge them before God to avoid quarreling over words.” Paul roots both commands “before God,” underscoring that faithful remembrance is not optional; it is an act of obedience under divine gaze. What Are “These Things”? From the flow of 2 Timothy 2:1-13, Paul has just laid out: • Grace-empowered strength in Christ (v. 1) • Entrusting sound doctrine to faithful men (v. 2) • Enduring hardship like soldiers, athletes, farmers (vv. 3-6) • The risen, royal Messiah who cannot be chained (v. 8-9) • The trustworthy saying of union with Christ—dying, rising, persevering, reigning (vv. 11-13) Why Continuous Reminders Are Crucial • Truth leaks from forgetful hearts; reminders “stir up” memory (2 Peter 1:12-15). • Remembering guards against drift: “We must pay closer attention…lest we drift away” (Hebrews 2:1). • The gospel is the power that saves and keeps (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-2). • Scripture is literal, living, and active (Hebrews 4:12); repeated exposure renews mind and transforms life (Romans 12:2). • God Himself models repetition—“You shall teach them diligently to your children” (Deuteronomy 6:7). • Reminders strengthen assurance: “It is safe for you” (Philippians 3:1). The Danger of Word Quarrels • Empty disputing ruins hearers (2 Timothy 2:14). • “Avoid foolish controversies… they are unprofitable” (Titus 3:9). • “Swerving from the truth” spreads “gangrene” (2 Timothy 2:17-18). • Reminding believers of core truth fences them off from speculative battles. Scriptural Snapshots of Godly Reminders • Joshua set up twelve stones “that this may be a sign among you” (Joshua 4:6-7). • David rehearsed past victories to face Goliath (1 Samuel 17:36-37). • The Lord’s Supper: “Do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19). • Jude: “Though you already know all this, I want to remind you” (Jude 1:5). Practical Ways to Obey This Call Today • Read and reread the same passages until they sing in the soul. • Memorize key gospel texts; recite them to family and friends. • Incorporate Scripture into ordinary conversation rather than only formal study. • Use songs, creeds, and catechisms that echo biblical wording. • Test every new idea by the clear things already revealed (Acts 17:11). • Encourage pastors and teachers to revisit foundational truths regularly. Consequences of Forgetting • Spiritual erosion: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). • Loss of joy: “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation” (Psalm 51:12). • Moral collapse: when Israel forgot, they “did what was evil” (Judges 3:7). • Witness weakened: forgetting the gospel empties the church of its distinctive light (Matthew 5:14-16). Encouragement to the Modern Church The antidote to division, discouragement, and doctrinal drift is simple yet powerful: keep reminding one another of the unchanging, literal Word of God. As we rehearse “these things,” the Spirit anchors our hearts, purifies our speech, and aligns us with the risen Christ who remains “faithful, for He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13). |
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