The ability to remember is one factor that distinguishes from the animal world. The elderly (and not so elderly) tell us they can remember events of 30 years ago, but cannot remember where they put their glasses. We’ll leave the explanation for the mechanics of our memories with the experts. But we do know God instructs us to remember certain things.
Sometimes we remember things on our own, things not worth remembering. The fact that something comes into our mind demanding our attention, does not necessarily mean it is worthy of that attention. Many things are better put out, so the mind is free to dwell on wholesome and profitable things.
The Bible is full of memory joggers. Here are a few:
1. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares (Heb. 13:2). The stranger is someone who is not already part of us in our local fellowship. It is sad to hear reports from believers and unbelievers about how they visited an assembly and “no one spoke to me.” What about the visitors? Do we greet them? Do we show an interest? Would we invite them home or out for dinner? It is true, “churches” are a target for the lazy looking for handouts.
But surely these are the exceptions, not the rule. The unbelieving stranger is usually shocked at genuine and warm friendship. It is sometimes the first witness to the gospel they hear. There are broken and bewildered believers who are searching for stability and truth in Christian fellowship and need to see it in action. Don’t forget the stranger.
2. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body (Heb. 13:3). The writer here is likely thinking about believers in prison for the sake of the gospel. Or perhaps more generally, those in any kind of adversity. We must remember them because they are not with us. Believers suffer all over the world because they are believers. Many face imprisonment or kidnapping. Do we remember to pray for them and their families? Or are they “out of sight, out of mind”? Many face other kinds of bonds: limitations, frustrating and confining circumstances. It may appear to have no direct connection to being a believer, but Job teaches us that the enemy works in a variety of ways. Satan touched his money, and his family, and his body. We are all in the body. Don’t forget those “that are in bonds.”
3. 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 (Heb. 13:7). I take this to refer to the elders. We might actually forget them, not because they are not there, but because they are always there, and seem to have always been there, and appear they always will be there. It isn’t an easy job doing the work of an elder. It would not hurt us to encourage them. Praying for and speaking a word of encouragement lightens their load in a big way.
4. Remember the widows (1 Tim. 5:3). Paul urged Timothy to point out to the believers the importance of caring for widows. We can forget the widows because they are no longer seen in their family unit. Include widows in your life. Invite them to dinner, to a concert, for a Saturday afternoon drive. Include them in adult activities so they can enjoy conversation and fellowship with others. Think about them during holidays. The local church was not designed to be a social gathering for married couples with children. It includes believers in all kinds of situations. Widows may have financial difficulties, so remember them, Paul tells us. Widows can be great sources of comfort and consolation to others. Their life’s experience provides great counsel. If we forget them, they may fade from us. Remember the widows.
5. Remember all in the body (1 Cor. 12:12). The Lord teaches us that the local assembly is a body. The human body is a good illustration–every part is necessary. We tend to favor the parts we can see. The parts of the body we do not see–the quiet ministries, the faithful brother or sister who is never heard in public, can appear to us to be less important. Yet no member can say he has no need of another member. (And, incidentally, no member can say I am not part of the body!) Stop and think about the non-public believers. They are spiritual, too. They can pray, too. They have a vital ministry. Remember them.
With all this remembering, we should clear our memory banks of unpleasant and unprofitable things. Then remember what you need to remember.