Let's Go Back to the Bible

Do You Remember?

There are some things that you will never forget. They are woven into the fabric of your mind with sight, smell, sound and tactile memory. The good and the bad are etched onto the template of who you are. I think about this when I read, “He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you” (John 14:26). Jesus was speaking to His apostles about the work that the Holy Spirit would do in them in the near future. I read that, and I think about what we know Jesus said to them. Both the good, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona…” (Matt. 16:17) and the bad, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me” (Matt. 16:23). They would remember it all. Every word. I wonder how many times they would replay different events. How many times did Thomas think about when Jesus appeared to him in the upper room? How often did Peter long to eat fish with Jesus beside the Sea of Galilee?

The memory that God has given us is both a blessing and a burden. What are we doing with it? There are things that we will remember that are beyond our control. Events that unfolded that we cannot change. However, what are we doing with the remainder? If the law of sowing and reaping is correct, you reap what you sow, then can we not store in our minds those good things?

Here are some things worth remembering. “So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent” (Rev. 3:3). “But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:17). “You should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles” (2 Pet. 3:2). “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel” (2 Tim. 2:8). “Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called ‘Uncircumcision’ by the so-called ‘Circumcision,’ which is performed in the flesh by human hands, remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:11-13). “Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first” (Rev. 2:5).

Both the good and bad memories serve as tutors for our future. We must do our best to remember what we have been given in Christ. To remember His word and our instruction. To remember the great love that was bestowed upon us. To remember and act to provide memories of obedience.