Lest We Forget

Today there is much discussion about memory and the ability to remember. Countless articles have been written on this subject. Remembering is not only an important part of our everyday lives, but it is also a vital part of our spiritual lives.

Psalm 78 reviews the history of Israel and the way these people sinned against God time after time. Although they saw one miracle after another, the memory would soon fade.

Even though God led them day and night after they left Egypt, provided water for all the nation, and sent manna and quail for them to eat, they rebelled at Kadesh Barnea when they refused to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 10-14).

From time to time God’s discipline brought the Israelites to their knees in temporary repentance, but their confessions were insincere flattery (Psalm 78:36). They soon rebelled again. Israel was a rebellious nation, but God, in His mercy, was gracious, forgave them, held back His wrath, and gave them opportunities to start again.

Why the long history lesson?

Because the Jews were commanded to teach their children the works and ways of the Lord so the next generation would know and trust Him.

We have important things that we must teach our children, youth, and adults.

Whenever the Israelites stopped teaching their children, the nation forsook God. We have the same obligation to teach our children—lest we forget. We still need reminders of God’s faithfulness and then of our responsibilities to Him. Important things exist that we must teach our children, youth, and adults. We need to teach them what we believe.

The Church of the Nazarene has 16 Articles of Faith (these are available at nazarene.org) that express our theology and beliefs. People in our churches, and specifically our children, will not know what we believe unless we teach and preach it. Each Article of Faith is based on the Word of God, with numerous Scripture passages that support and explain the truth.

We need to teach and preach the message of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ shed on Calvary’s cross.

The life-giving message of hope and freedom we call “entire sanctification” must be taught, preached, testified to others, and emphasized. The reason is that what we stop emphasizing, we eventually stop teaching and preaching. Finally we ignore it altogether.

The primary objective of the Church of the Nazarene is to advance God’s kingdom by the preservation and propagation of Christian holiness as set forth in the Scriptures.

The critical objectives of the Church of the Nazarene are “holy Christian fellowship, the conversion of sinners, the entire sanctification of believers, their upbuilding in holiness, and the simplicity and spiritual power manifest in the primitive New Testament Church, together with the preaching of the gospel to every creature” (Foreword, Church of the Nazarene Manual).

Have we grown bashful, silent, or neglectful in our preaching about sanctification, about living a holy life?

Have we stopped giving an invitation for people to seek the experience? Some may assume that everyone knows about the blessing of heart holiness. This is a false and dangerous assumption.

Why should we think that new believers, many of whom have no Church of the Nazarene background, or our children and youth will find their way on their own to an experience of heart holiness? People of all ages need to hear the message that total surrender, consecration, cleansing, infilling, and empowerment are available through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

We cannot forget or neglect this biblical truth of entire sanctification and heart holiness. I have great hope for our church! We have a life-giving message to share with a world that is broken, in bondage, and seeking answers. I have hope because new people are coming to our churches with hungry hearts.

• Let’s welcome them, love them, and tell them the good news of Jesus and His power to save, sanctify, forgive, and set free.
• Let’s give them the opportunity to seek salvation and the forgiveness of sins.
• Let’s show them the way to seek His heart-cleansing and life-freeing experience of sanctification.
• Let’s not forget what we believe!

David W. Graves, general superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene

Please note: All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of original publication but may have since changed.