The Tattoo Principle

I will make every effort to see that after my departure
you will always be able to remember these things.  2 Peter 1:15

What do tattoos and intentional grandparents have in common?

Valerie Bell, CEO of Awana, addressed 800 grandparents last week at the National Legacy Grandparenting Summit in Frisco, Texas, explains the common thread.

“It is important that grandparents tattoo the truth of God’s love and grace on their hearts because there is a battle for the heart of a child in the world.” She shared a vivid illustration of how making an impression upon a child’s heart is much like a tattoo artist’s needle. His needle pricks the skin repeatedly—up to 3000 times per minute—injecting an insoluble ink to create a permanent image. In the same way, intentional grandparents repeatedly prick the heart of their grandchildren with the stories of God’s truth and grace.

Remember! Do not forget! Impress upon their hearts! The command to remember is throughout the Bible, and the key to remembering is repetition. The tragedy of Judges 2:10 is all too possible in our generation if we do not repeat, repeat, repeat these stories. We could easily watch our grandchildren grow up not knowing the Lord and all He has done if we are not intentional about this.

The apostle Peter was also greatly concerned about the human tendency to forget. That’s why he writes in his second letter: “I will always remind you of these things… I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things” (2 Peter 1:12-15). Peter was determined to not let them forget.

Will we be as determined to make sure those who come behind us will remember these things as well? What things? Peter notes several key “things” he believes we must not forget—things we must repeatedly remind those who come after us.

1. The source of our salvation.  Our salvation is solely the work of Jesus Christ. This faith is a precious gift rooted in His great and precious promises in which we participate in His divine nature. He is the source; we are the recipients.

2. We have everything we need to live a godly life. Not only is the source of our salvation God, and God alone, so is what is needed to live a godly life. He has set us free from the corruption of the world, and given us all we need to live a godly life. The key to grasping this great truth is knowing our Savior so fully that trusting Him in this is not an issue. It is a critical truth we must not forget.

3. Faith is not static. It is dynamic. Peter wants to remind us—and keep on reminding us—that, while faith that leads to salvation is God’s work, at the same time there is much for us to do so our faith will grow and mature. Paul calls it “working out your salvation” (Phil. 2:12). Peter describes it as supplementing our faith with virtues like goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love.

4. The best is yet to come. As we faithfully apply ourselves to these virtues, our lives truly matter—they are effective. At the same time, our confidence grows in the promises of God that a rich welcome into His eternal kingdom awaits us… and those who follow us.

Effective memory builders are intentional. They make every effort to see that when they are gone, their children and grandchildren will always remember these things. They know the world will not remind them. They must do it. Intentional grandparents are like tattoo needles. They tell and tell and tell so that the truth is indelibly imprinted in the hearts and minds of another generation.

Does this describe you?