Romans 15:15-17 (ESV)
But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.
The ministry of reminding. What a great ministry to have. Paul believed one of his main ministry gifts was to remind others about their walk of faith and keeping true to God’s word. He was not the only apostle with this gift. Note what John told the church at Sardis, who had grown cold to the things of Christ:
Revelation 3:3 (ESV)
Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.
John also told the church at Ephesus, who lost their first love of Christ, the same thing:
Revelation 2:5 (ESV)
Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
Jesus told those who came to hear Him teach on the Kingdom of God to remember something specific:
Luke 17:31-33 (ESV)
On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.
Paul did all this to make sure the readers of this letter were sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Being sanctified is tied to remembering the truths of the Gospel. That is the formula God uses. Satan wishes us to forget the truths and to think about the cares of this world more than the convictions of the next. Remember!!
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