“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel…”
– 2 Timothy 2:8
I have a tendency to forget things, a lot. Sometimes I completely forget things that are incredibly important such as a big meeting or an appointment, yet I remember to always put the trash out on Tuesday evenings. Regardless of the reasons I forget certain things, I often need to be reminded of these things. In fact, right before I left for my elder retreat, I told my wife, Annie, “Don’t let me forget my flip-flops. Help me to remember them!” Needless to say, I forgot them!
Paul is a seasoned Christian at this time who is ready to be “poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:6-7). He is writing to a young church planter and pastor, his son in the faith, Timothy, beckoning him to remember Jesus Christ. Throughout the letters to Timothy, Paul constantly encourages Timothy to stay focused on one task: preach Jesus faithfully to your congregation! “Remember Jesus Christ” Paul says to Timothy.
We can infer from Paul’s instruction that Timothy and his congregation would have the temptation and reality of forgetting Jesus at times. We cannot be sure the exact distractions, but we all know the distractions of life can take our eyes off of Jesus. Perhaps Timothy felt pressure to cave into doctrinal issues, perhaps the ministry of the sick was overwhelming, perhaps the financial area of the church was burdening – regardless of the issues, Paul charged Timothy to remember Jesus Christ.
The reality of our hearts, even post-salvation, we have a tendency to forget this great and glorious Gospel. We get deceived into thinking the Gospel is for ‘those people’ and not for us. We believe that the sanctification is completely dependent upon our work of serving the poor, reading our Bibles and praying. Even though these are holy disciplines that I believe every Christian should participate in, they are nothing with the Gospel’s food for our soul. Regardless of spiritual disciplines, we must remember Jesus Christ.
Therefore, believer in Christ – remember Jesus Christ. The Gospel is not only power for salvation before you believed but even now and until the day Jesus brings you home. He is the chief end of our lives. He is the Lion from the tribe of Judah. He is the conquering King and the Lord of Lords. He is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. He is the Alpha and Omega. Return to Him and find your joy and satisfaction in Him alone today. Remember Jesus Christ.
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