Making a Difference By Remembering
By Dr. Tom Walker
McDowell County
One of the most blessed things God has given us is our memory. From birth, God has given us the capacity to learn and recall. That is a very special ability, for which we should be careful to thank the Lord.
Too many times, we humans forget what we ought to remember, and recall what we ought to forget. Harboring wrong thoughts toward others has hindered many Christians from progressing in their Christian maturity.
If you remember the right things, you can live in victory, but if not, you will live a life of defeat. What we think about and consider is extremely important. Here is our proof text to stress the importance of thinking about and remembering the right things. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
What do you choose to remember? What should you recall? The Bible gives us some solutions as to what we should remember. In this study, I want to share a few of them with you. If you will remember what I am going to suggest to you, your life will be richer and deeper spiritually speaking. This list is by no means extensive and all-inclusive, since the word “remember” is mentioned 148 times in the Word of God, but here are a few of them.
Remember to Obey
Num 15:40 mentions this: “That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.”
Satan and the flesh both desire to be disobedient to God. On the other hand, the dedicated Christian desires to obey the Lord and do what He says.
Obedience is a proof of one’s spiritual sonship. John said in I John 2:3-4 the following: “And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
Obedience is of the utmost importance in our lives. The Word of God says in I Samuel 15:22, “To obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rams.” In other words, to listen to God and do what He says, is better than offering an animal sacrifice unto Him.
We show responsible Christian living and our love for the Lord if we remember that we are to do whatever He commands for us to do in daily living. Never forget that obedience manifests the reality of our faith and is a large part of fulfilling our responsibility to Almighty God.
Remember Your Bondage
Deut. 16:12 says, “And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes.”
Deut. 24:22 adds, “And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt: therefore I command thee to do this thing.”
God reminds Israel of how he delivered Israel from their bondage under the Egyptian leader Pharoah. The Israelites were slaves to the Egyptians and were often very cruelly treated.
Before a person is saved, he or she is in bondage to Satan, but at the time of salvation, there is a new capacity given within the believer to resist the Devil. The Bible would not tell us to “resist the Devil”, if that were not possible. The word “resist” comes from two words in the New Testament meaning “to stand against.”
Rom 8:15 declares, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” We were filled with fears before meeting Jesus, but since we belong to Him a Spirit of adoption lives within us, knowing that born-again people are the children of God.
We were bound to sin before our conversion, but no longer is sin our taskmaster; the Lord is the One to whom we look. Since Christ set us free, it stands to reason that we should live unto Him and for Him. Our bondage is past but our freedom is present.
Remember Who Fights Our Battles
Neh 4:14 says, “And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”
Because there is Someone named Jesus, who fights our battles, we do not have to go through this life consumed and filled with fear. God has not given us “a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
When we try to fight our own battles, we can cause a great deal of confusion. Would it not be better for the Lord to handle our battles? Deut 3:21-22 states: “And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, Thine eyes have seen all that the Lord your God hath done unto these two kings: so shall the Lord do unto all the kingdoms whither thou passest. Ye shall not fear them: for the Lord your God he shall fight for you.”
If someone upsets you, there is no need to take vengeance upon them. God himself said, “Vengence is mine, I will repay” (Rom. 12:19. The Lord will do it in the right time, in the right way, to the right degree.
Remember the Past Works of the Lord
Ps 77:11, “I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.”
Ps 105:5, “Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.”
We need to remember what the Lord has done in the past. If you want to get ahead spiritually, it is important that you recall what the Lord has done for you in the earlier part of your life. Doing that will certainly do something wonderful for you in the present. It will lead you to say, “There is nothing too hard for the Lord” or “With God nothing shall be impossible.” If God delivered before He can surely do it again. You can make a difference if you will just remember the past works of God in your life and in the lives of others.
Remember Your Leader
Heb 13:7 commands, “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.” People who make a difference appreciate pastoral leadership and are mindful of those who speak the Word of God to them. Many folks are saved because they had a faithful man of God, who told them what they needed to hear and not necessarily what they wanted to hear.
I was saved under the ministry of Pastor Ray Long at West Court Street Baptist Church in Marion, N.C. at eight years of age. He faithfully and powerfully gave God’s Word from service to service thrilling the saints and convincing the sinners.
People should be considerate toward their pastor and remember to pray for Him, stand by Him, and make sure he has the best financial support the church can possibly give to Him. God will abundantly bless those who appreciate the pastor and make an effort to show their love for God’s man.
Remember the Sinner’s Latter End
Ps 73:17, “Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.” The Psalmist saw the wicked prospering and the people of God suffering. It was mystifying to King David and he did not understand until something happened. He went into the sanctuary and he began to understand the wicked would finally face their end. All the temporal happiness the wicked could have would be in this world. Hell and judgment will be the portion of those who leave this world without a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are going to make a difference in this life, you must not feel sorry for yourself if you are not financially prospering like someone else may be. If you are saved, you are joint-heirs with Christ. That is much more than the things of this world can provide.
Remember the Promise of all Promises
John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” We can make a difference if we live our lives in realization of the promise of the Lord Jesus to return. He is coming again. Just as the Bible promised, Christ came the first time.
Those who live in the light of the fact that saved people may disappear at any time are those who live pure and holy lives. 1 John 3:2-3 enlightens us by saying, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
If you will remember these things we have mentioned, you will make a noticeable, advantageous difference in the society in which we now live.
_________________________________________
Dr. Tom Walker is President of Foothills Bible College and Pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church in Marion, NC. You can read more good Christian News from Dr. Walker HERE.
_________________________________________
