We know that pastors and elders are to have gifting that includes at least a basic ability to teach. It is in the list of qualifications for elders (1 Timothy 3) and in the instruction to Timothy himself as a new pastor. And teaching implies conveying knowledge that is still undiscovered. It implies someone who knows more about something teaching someone who knows less about that same thing. That is why we love to have teachers who are well studied, carrying special qualifications- academically and experientially. We even use the implied term to “sit under” someone’s teaching. We say “under” implying that their knowledge is greater. Of course, we would all like to have our pastors and teachers filled with a depth of knowledge that keeps us always on the edge of our seats with new knowledge, with provocative thoughts every Sunday.
But, there is a less adventurous side to teaching. Sometimes teaching is not about new knowledge. It is not necessarily about putting new twists on old truths. It is the responsibility for teachers to “remind others of what they have already been taught.” It is what Paul and Barnabas did in Asia Minor among those who were believers (Acts 14:22). They reminded them that we must suffer hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. They likely knew it, but needed to be reminded in the heat of persecution. Paul admitted that the Romans were fully capable of teaching others about the gospel. But, that he was committed to “remind them” of the things that even they could teach those same truths themselves (Romans 15:14-15). Paul felt it necessary to “remind” the Christians of basic beliefs about heaven and the necessity of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1). Some had apparently forgotten as others were bringing new falsehoods to bear on the issue. Paul passed on a litany of truths about God and the Good News. After which, he told Timothy that it was his charge to remind others about these truths that Paul had already taught them (2 Timothy 2:14). [Note: Timothy was already viewed as a teacher by Paul (1 Timothy 4:11) and there were no fewer than 6 references for Timothy to teach in some way.] Reminding is a teachers charge.
So reminding seems to be part of the package. Why? I believe sometimes it is simply because we forget. We knew the truth at one point, but just forgot. We are, after all, human. Peter viewed reminding to be a primary responsibility in his later years (2 Peter 1:12). It says, “Therefore, I will always remind you about these things even though you know them and are standing firmly in the truth as you have been taught.” That is a shocker. I will remind you of things you already know and continue to stand firmly in. Still, Peter could see the value of coming back to the seminal truths again and again. Again, we have frail minds. But, there is something more. Even if our minds are alert, sometimes our will does not want to comply. Even if we don’t forget, mentally, we may forget to practice hard truths. That is the key. Many truths have not escaped our minds. But, they have escaped our experience.
That brings me to an election-day “reminder”. One of Paul’s words to Titus, a teacher and elder, was to, “Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers.” He elaborated in detail. But, this is a season to remember that our charge, as teachers, is to remind others about civil responsibility, about submission, about humility with regard to all of the civil affairs that swirl around us. People are looking for teaching on these matters right now. Many people want some provocative, new truth which gives us a better way of looking at governments and their relationship to the Kingdom of God. Many people hope that we will give a better view of Christianity and democracy. The Bible gives teachers neither firm handles on teaching biblical politics, nor commanding reproof mechanisms for the governments that exist. But, it gives us more than a handful of opportunities to remember that one of our greatest responsibilities in this venue of government conversations is to remind people how to behave with what we have (Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13 ; Romans 13:1f).
I believe that this is one of those truths that we need to remind, not because it is a difficult one to grasp or understand. We must remind people of this truth because it is a difficult truth to practice or swallow. So, I’m sure that in a day or two people will still be in a dither over what all took place whether this person won or lost, or whether our favored referendum passed or failed. It is at that time, that we must remind them of what they likely know, but aren’t too sure whether they want to practice or not. On this one, we don’t have much wiggle room. We should pray, obey and act in humility toward those over us. That is something worth reminding.