Grace Amnesia

HopeInMadison

I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder -- 2 Peter 1:13 (ESV) One of my fears is succumbing to dementia. With a history of it in my family, there is a real possibility of it happening to me. And having recently seen the effects of it first hand, I can attest that it is a living death. At some point, however, the sufferer is spared by no longer understanding what is happening. But I also think there is an amnesia that is a greater danger - Gospel Amnesia. When we fail to keep in view what has been done for us in Christ, we stand in a risky, dangerous spot. When the grace of God seems regular and normal, we will venture into apathy or self-righteousness. Peter wanted to point his readers back to the basics. He calls them to remember. He calls them to return. And he wants to rehearse all of this. These restatements of the gospel are essential not only to our understanding or conversion, but to our continued growth in maturity and Christian living. As we continue to look at 2 Peter, I want to encourage you to read through that first chapter.