Remember-Part 1

Obviously, we all have a lot of details to remember each day, from where did we put the keys to when is that doctor’s appointment, etc.  Now we should remember and be mindful of all of God’s Word, but what specifically does the Scriptures say we are to remember?

Let’s consider the Greek word, Mnémoneuó which occurs 21 times in the New Testament and from which we get our English words memory or memo. It occurs in its verbal form, “to remember” or “be mindful of something.”  I condensed these 21 occurrences down to a list of 11 items.  And so as not to overwhelm your memory, let’s just take the first 5 to start with.

1)  Remember the past and future judgments from God of the unsaved.

We find this reminder in several places in the New Testament

• The Past Judgments of God of the unsaved

In the context of Luke 17:32 verse where mnémoneuó occurs, we read of Christ’s warning to us to remember the judgment of God on the world during the time of Noah and Lot. The world focused in those times, and still focuses now today, on all the wrong things in place of the things of the Lord. And it’s easy for the unsaved to do this with all the chaos and chatter trying to demand their attention.

• The Future Judgment of God on the unsaved

Revelation 18:5 refers to the future judgment which is to come.  It may seem at times as if the ungodly prosper.  Jeremiah laments in Jer. 12:1, “Why does the way of the wicked prosper?  Why do all the faithless live at ease?”  (See also Psalms 73:1-12) but God remembers and will give them their just rewards of eternal punishment in His own time.  This, indeed, should motivate us to reach the lost.

2) Remember God’s past provision for us and others.

In the context of Matthew 16:9 and Mark 8:18,   The disciples had witnessed how Christ had fed the 5,000 and then later the 4,000.  Shortly after that, they were on a boat and misunderstood a remark from Jesus regarding bread.  And Jesus asks them if they don’t remember the feeding of the 5,000 and the 4,000.  Also, Hebrews 11:22 refers us to the Exodus when God freed the Israelites from Egypt which they remember and celebrate in Passover.  How often do we forget God’s past provision and grace for us in the past?

3) Remember the real reason for our persecution.

In the context of John 15:20 and 16:4, Jesus makes it clear that upon his departure, they will be persecuted because of Him.  And in 2 Timothy 2:8,9, Paul reminds us to “Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to the gospel, wherein Paul suffered difficulties as an evil doer, being placed in bonds.”  Jesus states clearly the source of our attacks from the world in Matthew 10:22, “And You shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.”  In some of the 50 countries I have visited over the years, it is against the law to encourage others to trust in Christ for their salvation.   It can result in prison, torture or even death.  We are blessed in America and mostly protected by the first amendment but it is under attack by some politicians.  We shouldn’t be surprised by this, and we can expect more and far worse, as do many Christians around the world.