“Look both ways before you cross the street” is advice most of us have heard since we were very young. But not long ago, while walking to the train station after work and listening to an audiobook, I realized I was standing in the middle of a busy street with cars speeding toward me. I was so absorbed in the story that I neglected to look before I crossed the street!

In today’s reading, Peter reminds his audience of the core truths of the gospel. He emphasizes this through repetition: “I will always remind you” (v. 12), “I think it is right to refresh your memory” (v. 13), and “I will make every effort to see that…you will always be able to remember” (v. 15). Much of the work of a Christian ministry is simply reminding others (and ourselves!) of what we have already been taught.

False teaching was creeping into the church. Peter knew that memory fades fast when new, attractive teaching appears. This was especially the case in a culture where believers did not have their own copies of Scripture or other Christian teaching. False teachers were often charismatic and engaging speakers.

Peter reminds these believers that they were “firmly established in the truth” (v. 12). This is a sobering warning for those of us who have grown up in the church and think we may be immune from being swayed by false gospels.

While we have easy access to Scripture and embarrassing riches of solid Christian teaching, we still face challenges. False teachers can make an inroad into our lives through social media. They package their teaching in very attractive ways. Social media algorithms even predict what kind of content will engage you. We need Peter’s reminders urgently today.

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