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2 Peter 1:12-15 Remember not to forget - Day 333

Good morning fellow sojourners,

It is remarkable how the letters in the New Testament can be different in style and format, but convey the same message.  Paul wrote to specific churches or individuals.  Peter writes "To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ 2 Peter 1:1.  Imagine getting a letter from one of the twelve and he tells you that you have a faith of equal standing as his.  You haven't experienced any of the things Peter did, but he considers every one who has been born again to have equal standing.  And the basis for this is the righteousness of God and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Blessings,

Jeff

This is the proof text for the concept I picked up from an Alistair Begg sermon.  Or rather, it is the proof text Alistair Begg used for the principle that sermons should remind us of what we should not forget, not teach us something new.  Of course the underlying assumption is that each believer already knows what he shouldn't forget.  However, becoming a believer does not cause you to know everything.  So new believers will hear "new things" in a sermon that a more mature believer already knows.  

But the reference point is always what is written in the word.  Peter probably taught these things verbally where ever he went.  But he knew they had to be recorded in writing for future generations.  When ever Jonathan or one of the other elders or a guest speaker preach, we must hold fast to the trustworthy word as taught.

But this principle makes it incumbent on every believer to read and study scripture on your own.  Peter wants everyone to be able to call these things to mind.  Not just hear them in a sermon, but know them based on your own study.  We are nearing the end of this year's read through the Bible.  It may have taken longer that a year to get here, but I pray that this has instilled a desire to increase in the knowledge of God by reading His word to you

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