Remembering involves active obedience. In Peter’s letter, he has already spoken about the need for Christian believers to make every effort to grow in virtue (2 Peter 1:5–11). He told them that when they make an effort to pursue virtue, they will not be ineffective in their knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:8) and they will not forget that they have been cleansed from past sins (2 Peter 1:9). Growth in virtue is thus the way in which Christian believers are to remember.
This understanding is consistent with the picture that we find elsewhere in Scripture where remembering is tied to actions. A famous example of this is Exodus 2:23–25. In that passage we are told that the Lord heard the cry of the Israelites and remembered the covenant he made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This does not mean that the Lord had forgotten and that he was reminded when he heard the cry, rather it indicates that the time has come in which the Lord would now act once again to fulfill his promises. He is going to raise up Moses to deliver them from Israel.
Another example of remembering comes from the Ten Commandments. Specifically the fourth commandment calls upon God’s people to remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy
(Exodus 20:8; Deuteronomy 5:12). In this commandment a direct link is made between remembering and obedience. One remembers the Sabbath by keeping it holy, by using the day to honour God. Similarly in Deuteronomy 8:1–20, remembering is also tied to obedience. In that case, the proof of remembering is seen by Israel remaining faithful to the Lord and not forgetting him to worship other gods. There is thus a close relationship between remembering and obeying in the Bible.
As an example of how obedience to God is related to remembering, consider what happens when a Christian does or does not pursue the virtue of self-control. If a believer is tempted to sexual immorality—whether it is looking at something on the internet or something else—he will be encouraged to resist that temptation if he calls to mind (remembers) the promises of Scripture. Knowing that Jesus is Lord and Saviour will help him to act in a way that is self-controlled. Likewise if the believer really fights to be self-controlled, the very act of fighting is a reminder to him that there is a wonderful kingdom to come. A kingdom where we will live with God in new resurrection bodies and where we will no longer have to fight against sin. The fact that he is fighting against sin now is an encouragement because it shows that he is someone who is remembering and trusting in God’s promises.
12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.