Remind me again

Tell me the story slowly, that I may take it in,
That wonderful redemption, God's remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often, for I forget so soon;
The early dew of morning has passed away at noon.

I have heard many in the pews complain about a pastor's repetition. Same sermon. Same lesson. I know this already. I would gently remind them of how many times God repeats himself in the Scriptures. We need reminders. We need the truths of the gospel, grace, and God's character repeated to us day after day. There is nothing stagnant about the Scriptures; truth makes dead things radically alive!

2 Peter 1:12-13  Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder.

Truth leads to transformation. Hearing God's Word should encourage us to examine our lives, to be absolutely sure that we are living out the truth we claim. It does little good to memorize The Great Commission if we have no intention of making disciples. Knowing Psalm 23, "The Lord is my Shepherd" is useless if we live in fear, anxiety, and need. When you hear a sermon, or engage in a study that you think you know, pay even closer attention. It is often in the simple, familiar commandments that we most easily stumble.