“But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 17).
THE CENTRAL TENET OF CHRISTIANITY IS THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST, AND THAT IS A TRUTH THAT DOES NOT CHANGE. The resurrection is an unchangeable historical fact. So the gospel of Christ is not only true; it is true for all time to come. Having happened, the resurrection can never become “un-happened.”
But sometimes we forget. There are some things (like tears, for example) that can hinder our vision, and we may find ourselves unable to see the truth very clearly. Or to change the metaphor, having left the courtroom and gone back home, we may forget some of the testimony we heard while we were sitting in the jury box. The facts didn’t change, and the testimony is still on the record. But we may forget what we heard in the courtroom.
Spiritual strength requires a vivid remembrance — and that means most of us have a problem, because our “rememberers” don’t work very well. But God understands, and that’s why we have such an emphasis in the Scriptures on reminders. Jude said, “Remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.” And Paul said, “Remember that Jesus Christ . . . was raised from the dead” (2 Timothy 2:8). Whatever it takes, we must make ourselves to go back and remember.
We can’t say we haven’t been forewarned. “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). Our Lord has told us ahead of time that there are going to be circumstances that will cloud our vision, so the admonition is to remember and hold on.
Under the pressure of pain and suffering (or bewilderment or anything else), we must not give up the truths that we saw so clearly in calmer moments. Those truths are still true. The fluctuation in our feelings has not changed the reality of our faith’s foundation. So when it’s dark, we must believe that daylight will come again. When it does, we will see that truth’s great mountain is still there, right where it was yesterday . . . before the sun went down.
“Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light” (Victor Raymond Edman).
Gary Henry — WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com
