Verse by Verse Devotional on Philippians by Pastor Jack #136

The Value of Repetition

3:1b To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

It is not easy to discern what "the same things" are here. After examination of the possibilities, it seems most probable that Paul is referring not to his exhortation to rejoice in the Lord but to the exhortations of verse two, which (we presume) he has given them before - either in person or through letters or messengers. (The fact that Paul says "the same things" instead of "the same thing" is the biggest reason for coming to this conclusion.)

Whatever Paul has in mind here, he is talking about the value of repeating himself.

Obviously there is a lot of repetition in the Bible. There are four gospels that have much overlap. The vast majority of God’s teachings are found in more than one location in the Bible. In fact, many of God’s teachings are found hundreds of times in the Bible (e.g. How many times do you suppose the Bible teaches us that God is with His people?)

Repetition is needed for two reasons:

1- We are prone to forget

One of our highest duties is to remember what God has told us. We must remember what God has done and what He has commanded. Repetition helps us remember.

2- For emphasis

In order to draw extra attention to something being said or done, repetition is often used. From the angels’ "Holy, holy, holy" in Isaiah 6 to Paul’s "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" in Phil. 4:4, this is one way the Bible draws attention to the importance of something it says.

Let us be faithful to Christ with regard to repetition:

A- Let us not despise repetition, especially in the Scriptures.

B- Let us give special heed to the things God repeats for emphasis.

C- Let us work to remember His teachings in light of how repetition is a reminder of our proneness to forget.

D- Let us not be afraid to use repetition wisely and appropriately, especially toward those we are responsible to lead.

E- Let us not despise repetition, especially in the Scriptures.

F- Let us give special heed to the things God repeats for emphasis.

G- Let us work to remember His teachings in light of how repetition is a reminder of our proneness to forget.

H- Let us not be afraid to use repetition wisely and appropriately, especially toward those we are responsible to lead.

I- Let us not despise repetition.

J- Let us not despise repetition.

K- Let us not despise repetition.

Heavenly Father, I thank You that You love me enough to repeat things I need to hear. I thank You that You are compassionate, remembering my weakness and my need for reminders. Forgive me, Lord, for how dull I am, how slow to listen. Forgive me for taking Your word lightly. Help me to be alert and attentive to You. Help me not to be quick to forget Your teachings, but to receive them and embrace them and allow them to sink in and establish deep roots in my soul.