Most of us have experiences that demonstrate our forgetfulness in the routine tasks of daily living. This forgetfulness also carries over into our relationship with the Lord. And this is nothing new for God’s people. Throughout Scripture we see a theme of God reminding his people to remember his faithfulness. Old Testament religious life centered on rituals, festivals, and public demonstrations that reminded God’s people of his love and mercy toward them. The New Testament church continues this habitual rhythm of remembrance through weekly gathering around the Word of God so we can know him and be reminded of his kindness to us in the gospel.

When we forget, we lose sight of what is revealed to us in his Word, and we lose our orientation to truth, which has devastating consequences. Life and death hang in the balance and it is only through the clarity of the Scriptures that we can know how to be saved from the wrath of God.

In the first chapter of 2 Peter, the church is encouraged to remember the blessings of being united to Christ. He urges them to remember lest they forget and fall into error. Here in chapter 3, Peter returns to this theme.