Remembering What We Already Know

Scripture – Acts 10:34-38: ³⁴Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism ³⁵but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. ³⁶You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. ³⁷You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—³⁸how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

Reflection: After all this – the visions of Cornelius and Peter, the travel to and from Joppa – after all this, Peter ends up reminding the people of what they already know. “You know,” he said. Then he went on to tell them about Jesus.

A lot of times, the most effective preaching is just that – reminding people. Most all of us know the “mega-story” of our faith. We know about Jesus coming to earth to die for our sins. We know He was raised and is alive today. We know He has already defeated the evil one. We know, in Him, we have new life – eternal life. We, in fact, know Him!

Sometimes we just forget to let our belief in Christ shape who we are on a daily basis. As I read once, we do no better even though we do know better.

So I’ll open myself intentionally and consciously to His shaping influence today. I wonder how I’ll be different when this day is done. How about you? What do you already know? What do you need to be reminded of today?