This Sunday, we’re starting the Book of 2nd Peter, and it’s quite different from 1st Peter.  When Peter writes this letter, he’s nearing the end of his life and has a few things he wants to say before he’s gone.  It seems as if he’s trying to be both encouraging and challenging at the same time.  We’ll be looking at 2 Peter 1:1-21 and his exhortation to embrace diligence.  However, Peter brings up several new things in this letter that weren’t in his last letter.  One of those is an emphasis on “remembering.” 

One of the best ways to remember something is by repeating it.  But usually, we don’t like repetition.  Not only is repetition awkward; it’s often frustrating.  Whether it’s having to tell our kids the same thing over and over again or having to listen to the same recorded “options” menu every time we call our insurance company (or phone company, etc.), we have a tendency to grow weary of repetition. But even though repetition can be awkward and frustrating, it is helpful, especially if what’s being repeated is something we need.  Each time our kids hear our repeated instructions, they probably hear some detail they didn’t hear the first few times.  And every time we listen to menu options, we become a little more familiar with them to the point we can navigate them more quickly the next time we call.  So repetition helps us remember.  Consequently, the repetition of important lessons isn’t something that should frustrate us but something we should welcome.

And so in 2nd Peter, he gives us things to remember.  He reminds us of truths about life, about spiritual growth, and about faith … and tells us to remember them.  So come Sunday to hear once again from Peter … for he is as forgetful as we are.  See you then, Dr. Dave