I KNOW! I KNOW THAT ALREADY!!
Driving down the road with my wife Michele sitting beside me and three children in the back seat, Michele and I love to listen to our children’s dialog back and forth. As our children exchange information back and forth, often one of them will share with the others something, whether from an attitude of arrogance or genuinely trying to help, that leads to a whiny or frustrated “I know that already!” Sadly, sometimes that comment comes from me, directed towards Michele, who might be trying to help with directions when I know where I am going, hopefully not as whiny.
There is something in us, called pride or arrogance, that does not like to be told information that we already know. Sometimes it may feel like the presenter is wasting our time, other times we don’t want the presenter to think we are stupid or we want to show off our already obtained knowledge. On any account, it can be hard to quietly, politely, and lovingly accept and listen to information we know or be told a truth that we already believe.
2 Peter 1:12–15
Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. (ESV)
Simeon Peter in this passage is clearly not giving any new information to the believers who share the same faith that he and the other apostle share. But as he is coming to the end of his life Peter wants to be constantly reminding them. He wants to “stir” them up so that they don’t become stagnant in their knowledge.
I know for myself there are lots of things I learned in high school and college that I don’t remember anymore because I haven’t used the information or rehearsed them in years. Peter wants to make sure this never happens and, we as children of God should desire to never let this happen to us. Just a few verses earlier Peter says that the things or qualities he is reminding them of will keep them from being ineffective or unfruitful as Christians, and in fact, if they practice these qualities they will never fall.
When it comes to the Word of God which contains the words of life, we should make every effort to never forget the things we know and have been taught. While it is great to learn new things and to study and seek out the truths in the Scriptures we must be willing to receive with humility the stirring up by way of reminder the truths that we already know. These reminders are given out of love for God and love and care for you.
There is something in us, called pride or arrogance, that does not like to be told information that we already know. Sometimes it may feel like the presenter is wasting our time, other times we don’t want the presenter to think we are stupid or we want to show off our already obtained knowledge. On any account, it can be hard to quietly, politely, and lovingly accept and listen to information we know or be told a truth that we already believe.
2 Peter 1:12–15
Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. (ESV)
Simeon Peter in this passage is clearly not giving any new information to the believers who share the same faith that he and the other apostle share. But as he is coming to the end of his life Peter wants to be constantly reminding them. He wants to “stir” them up so that they don’t become stagnant in their knowledge.
I know for myself there are lots of things I learned in high school and college that I don’t remember anymore because I haven’t used the information or rehearsed them in years. Peter wants to make sure this never happens and, we as children of God should desire to never let this happen to us. Just a few verses earlier Peter says that the things or qualities he is reminding them of will keep them from being ineffective or unfruitful as Christians, and in fact, if they practice these qualities they will never fall.
When it comes to the Word of God which contains the words of life, we should make every effort to never forget the things we know and have been taught. While it is great to learn new things and to study and seek out the truths in the Scriptures we must be willing to receive with humility the stirring up by way of reminder the truths that we already know. These reminders are given out of love for God and love and care for you.
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