Everyone wants to be remembered for something. Bing Crosby is remembered for singing “White Christmas”. Abraham Lincoln is remembered for ending slavery. Martin Luther is remembered for reforming the Christian understanding of salvation. David is remembered as being a man after God’s own heart.
Peter, one of Jesus’ original twelve, also wanted to be remembered for something.
so I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone. 2 Peter 1:15 (NLT)
Peter’s desire was that long after he was gone, people would remember him for what he taught them. It was so important to him, he apparently kept reminding of them of these things (2 Peter 1:12). What were the things he taught them? He taught them how to properly respond to God’s “great and precious promises” (v. 4).
In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 2 Peter 1:5-8 (NLT)
Peter wanted them to remember the proper response to God’s provision in their lives, which was to be transformed into new people. To have transformed minds (knowledge) and transformed lives (moral excellence, self-control, godliness, endurance, and love).
I would LOVE to be remembered for the same thing…that I helped people respond to their faith by transforming their minds, lives and hearts. I want to help people understand their faith, live out their faith and be totally transformed by their faith. Like Peter, I intend to keep reminding people of these three things…over and over and over again. My heart’s desire is for people to continually seek the prize, and that His name would be glorified in the process!
1 comment
Lynette says:
December 9, 2009 at 8:44 am (UTC -4 )
Great message Tom, I’m glad that you are continuing to remind us over and over and over again because we can never be reminded too much. You always seem to remind me of what I need to hear at the right moments. I AM understanding my faith more all the time and trying to live it out and be transformed but I still have a long way to go. Thanks for everything:)