But do not forget this one thing …
Summary: Without our memories, life is a confusing series of events that seem disconnected from each other. Memories of what we have learned add perspective to life and help us avoid repeating mistakes.
Remembering is hard work. When we are little children, we work hard to remember how to make words with sounds. As we grow, we work to remember what our teachers tell us in school. As adults, we work to remember the rules of our society and the principles of whatever business we are engaged in. There is a lot to remember!
When someone says, “Remember…!,” they are reminding us of something important. My wife is the keeper of all information related to calendars. I am mostly oblivious to what is on the calendar. Thankfully, she remembers for me. “Remember,” she will say, “you have a doctor’s appointment today.” I appreciate the reminder!
Another common expression is, “Don’t forget…”
The difference between these two ways of saying the same thing is in the remembering process.
If you are learning something new, “remember” is a way of verbally underlining what you are taught. “Do not forget” refers to something that you already know.
Years ago when I worked for a small manufacturing company, their computer department had a new mainframe computer that they were very proud of. The main computer was housed in a large cabinet, about the size of a commercial refrigerator. High up on one side was a big red button with a sign that reads “Caution – Emergency Shut Off.” When I was shown the machine one day, the button was pointed out to me with the instructions, “Don’t ever touch that!”
It turns out that the reason they made such a big deal about it was that somebody had touched it. The company employed a man in the engineering department who was a bit odd. He was in his mid-thirties, but most of the time he acted like a wayward fourteen-year-old. One day, when he was in the computing room, he was told the same thing, “Don’t touch the red button.” His response? He not only touched it, but he also pushed it and shut down the entire machine. Hundreds of hours of work were lost. It required hundreds of hours of additional work to get everything back up and running. The expense was enormous. For some reason, the guy did not get fired. After that, it was “don’t forget” what happened when the red button is pushed.
Do you see the difference?
If you know Jesus, you know he is eternal. You also know that he is alive. A person who has the Holy Spirit is being taught about these things constantly.
Satan wants God’s people to forget what they know. He wants to replace knowledge of the truth with lies. That is why scoffers scoff; they do not know or believe the truth. Peter tells us:
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” (2 Peter 3: 8)
Peter did not teach us this truth. It is found in the Old Testament and affirmed by the Holy Spirit. Believers know this to be true. If we remember this truth, the scoffing of scoffers is seen for what it is. If we forget this truth, we are vulnerable. If we forget this one thing, we become easy prey for the scoffer’s taunts.
Application: Do not forget what God has taught you.
Food for Thought: How is “do not forget” a part of the “Armor of God?” (Ephesians 6: 14-17)
How is “do not forget” part of the armor of God?
Ephesians 6:14-17 NIV
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
With my walk right now I am at a place where tensions are thin in my family. Arguments are getting out of hand. I’m not perfect and have lost control at one point because I Forgot who I was really fighting. I’m not fighting family. I’m fighting satan and the lies he puts in their minds. This isn’t a fight I can win. I need to let God win this battle as long as I’m wearing His armor. I’m trying to be a reflection of the Prince of Peace. I know satan is trying to twist words of forgiveness but not forgetting what was done. So today, tonight, this morning, I have to tell myself….. Tim “Do not Forget” to Love.
Tim,
Thank you for sharing what is going on in your world today. First, please know that my heart aches for you. I can relate. Second, I am praying for you. Third, I should have included Ephesians 6: 18 in my “Food for Thought” question today!
“ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”
Believers in Jesus are never alone. We can call for backup and field support at any moment or all day / all night long. When you say “This isn’t a fight I can win,” I add in my mind, “… by my own strength.” You are right about that. Then you continue, “I need to let God win this battle…” and you are right about that, too.
Yet God allows us to be part of his army. David writes:
“Praise be to the Lord my Rock,
who trains my hands for war,
my fingers for battle.” (Psalm 144: 1)
David fought physical battles. We fight spiritual ones. Why?
There is a comment under yours that says, “Do not forget 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8,” the famous love passage.
Why?
The answer to both questions is Jesus.
The truth Paul references in Ephesians 6 is about Jesus.
The righteousness is being made right with God through Jesus.
The Gospel is sharing the Good News about Jesus with others through word and deed.
The shield is our confidence, trust, and reliance on Jesus.
The helmet is knowing we have eternal life with Jesus.
The sword is the Word of God which is all about Jesus.
And what does Jesus tell us?
“This is my command: Love each other.” (John 15: 17)
Which brings us back to 1 Corinthians 13, the definition of Godly love.
I had not seen these connections before. You sharing your struggle has helped me with my struggles. Thank you! I hope that these words are an encouragement to you as well.
Thank you Jeff for the extra 3 minutes of personal wisdom knowledge and understanding.
Father, thank You for the growth in spiritual maturity of my friend. Give him Your peace about the situation with his family. Give him wisdom, knowledge and understanding of Your word and will as it relates to these family tensions. Please also grant healing and restoration. Allow his family to see the incredible changes in my brother to bring glory to Yourself and to help family members see Your truth and Your love. Open the eyes of his family to respond to You and for healing in relationships. Surround my brother with Your peace, comfort and joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Tim “do not forget” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
I’m not sure that I’ve actually heard anyone try to apply 1 Corinthians 13 during an argument. Interesting thought.
What’s really interesting is that love isn’t listed as part of the armor of God. Is that because the armor is for spiritual attacks and we haven’t be called to love the one we are truly battling?
I found it interesting, too. See my response to Tim above. There are a number of connections that come to mind.
How is “do not forget” a part of the “Armor of God?”
Don’t forget who you’re fighting
Don’t forget what he’s attacking
Don’t forget how to defend yourself
Don’t forget God gave you truth, Jesus is your righteousness, the gospel is about peace not fighting; don’t forget how much faith can do; don’t forget that your saved; don’t forget what the Spirit gives you, you have God’s words of power.
Thank you –
Good points!
Great comments. Don’t have much to add. We need to remember that we are in a spiritual battle and to put that armor on every day – emphasis on daily. Luke 9: 23; Galatians 5: 25; Matthew 6: 31 – 34; Ephesians 5: 15 – 16.
Thank you, Rich.
Excellent verses!
12-20-2021, 2 Peter 3:8, How is “do not forget” a part of the “Armor of God?”
Do not forget the “ARMOR OF GOD” is exactly that. We are protected as we put on His armor, know the battle belongs to the Lord and rely on His word as our offensive weapon.
“THE ARMOR OF GOD”, it is not armor made by men, but is in fact holy armor made by and received from God. The Bible reminds believers about the reality of spiritual battle and describes the protection which has been provided for us by God so we can survive this reality. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the powers, the world forces of this present darkness, the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly, supernatural places.
Ephesians 6:11-12, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
We prepare ourselves to wear this armor as we reject all desires to rely on our own understanding, present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, trust in God with all our hearts, and seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness through Christ who is our example as He overcame the assaults of Satan immediately following His baptism and entry into His ministry for our salvation.
Psalm 20:7, Proverbs 3:5, Romans 2:1, Matthew 6:33, 4:11
Ron,
Thank you! You make a great point when you note that the Armor of God is from God. The armor is not made by us. It is given us to by our spiritual Armorer. We wear it by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not by our own strength that we bear it.
Thank you all. I ended spending most of the morning in prayer for a friend. She is living her faith and showing everyone how much God has been involved in her life.