2 Peter 1:12-15 Why I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them… I. HERE IS A FELT DUTY CONNECTED WITH THIS MODE OF BEING. "I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up," etc. The spiritual excitation of the Christian soul. He sought to put Christians in mind of five things which he refers to in the context: That spiritual excellence is the great end of Christianity (vers. 3, 4); that spiritual excellence is progressive in its nature (vers. 5, 7); that it requires very diligent cultivation (vers. 5, 10); that it is the only guarantee of salvation (ver. 9); and that it will ultimately meet with a glorious reward (ver. 11). Now there are three important things implied in the apostle's aim — 1. A paramount necessity for the Christian ever to feel these things. His own progress and the conversion of the world depend upon this. 2. A sad tendency in the Christian to forget these things. 3. An obligation which one Christian has to endeavour spiritually to excite others by these things. II. A DESTINED CHANGE THAT AWAITS THIS MODE OF BEING. "Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle." 1. The nature of the change. It is a putting off the tabernacle. 2. The nearness of the change. "Shortly." 3. The assurance of the change. "Knowing." It is not a subject of doubt. III. A GLORIOUS CAUSE THAT MUST OUTLIVE THIS MODE OF BEING. "More over I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance." Three things implied: 1. The necessity of Christianity to posterity. All generations require it; therefore it must be handed down. 2. The felt interest of the good in posterity. They are far more anxious to bequeath truth and godliness than estates or empires. 3. The capacity of men to help posterity. Through a holy life, and instructions oral or written. Properly estimate thy mortal mode of life. Thou art dwelling in a tabernacle. I would not have thee ascetically to despise thy body, for it is the workmanship of God; an exquisite instrument of the soul; the inlet of the material, and the outlet of the spiritual. But I would have thee to remember that it is not thyself, but a temporary habitation of that soul of thine, which is identified with a gospel in which the universe is interested, and upon which the salvation of thy race depends, Realise the vastness of the work thou hast to do while in thy frail tabernacle, and do it. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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