“REMEMBER”

Deuteronomy 15:15

            In the Word of God we are constantly told to remember what we are by nature and what the Lord God has done for us by his almighty grace in Christ. The reason for this is both simple and clear. Everything in the kingdom of God is motivated by grace and redemption. That which motivates and governs the lives of God’s saints is their remembrance of redemption and grace

            Great care was taken by God that the Jews never forget what he did for them in bringing them up out of the house of bondage. He intended for them to be reminded of it everywhere they turned and commanded them to remember it forever. The month of their deliverance was made the first month of the year to them (Ex. 12:2). A special ordinance was established to be kept by the children of Israel perpetually, throughout their generations, until the coming of Christ (Ex. 12:3-14). Even in the giving of their law, they were commanded to remember their redemption from Egyptian bondage by the hand of God (Ex. 20:1-3). The Jews were also required to instruct their children in the matter of redemption. The gospel was to be handed down orally, from father to son, generation after generation (Deut.6:20-21).

            If this was the responsibility of parents in those days, how much more is it our responsibility to instruct our sons and daughters in the gospel of Christ. Seize every opportunity to do so. Explain to your sons and daughters why you worship where you do, the way you do, and why the cause of Christ’s glory and truth are so important to you. We remember that we were bondmen in the land of Egypt, and the LORD our God redeemed us.

            Repeatedly, the Jews were commanded by God, "Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee." They were carefully instructed to do so and how to do so. Yet, their deliverance and redemption was only typical. How much more shall we heed this word from our God! "Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee." Our redemption by Christ and our experience of grace in him must always be held in the forefront, never cast into the background. In all our worship, in all our preaching, in all our teaching, in all our singing, in all our praying, in all our witnessing, in all our living, in all our thoughts, redemption must always be the primary matter of consideration. REDEMPTION AND GRACE BY JESUS CHRIST IS NOT THE PRIMARY THING IN OUR DOCTRINE. IT IS EVERYTHING!

            When Paul endeavors to promote peace between Jew and Gentile, he does so by reminding us of our redemption (Eph. 2:11-14). When he challenges us to godliness and devotion he does so by reminding us of our redemption (Rom. 6:17-18). When he seeks to promote mercy, brotherly love, kindness, and forgiveness among saints, he reminds us of and motivates us by our experience of redemption and grace in Christ (Eph. 4:32-5:1).