"An Obtained Faith of Equal Standing" (Part2)

2 Peter 1:1--"Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:" (NKJV)


Peter begins his letter by introducing himself as, a bondservant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, and then says, "I'm witting to those that have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ." Peter is writing to believers, those that have been given faith by the righteousness of Jesus Christ. I believe he wanted to remind them of the reality of their faith in Christ. Peter wanted to remind them of these three things: 1. Faith is a precious gift. 2. Their faith was a gift of equal standing with others. 3. Their faith was of an equal standing with others because of God's imputed righteousness.

In my last journal I meditated on, 1. Faith is a precious gift. In this journal I am seeking to meditate on the rest of this verse.

2. Their faith was a gift of equal standing with others.

In the (KJV) it says,"obtained like precious faith with us" and in the (ESV) it says,"obtained a faith of equal standing with ours"


2 Peter 1:1--"Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:"(ESV)

"like precious"--"of equal value or honor"--S.Concordance

Peter wants them to remember that the faith that they have, the faith God has given them, is of equal standing with theirs. Some times we think that other people are more spititual or less spiritual than we are. Take Peter for example, he was an apostle of Jesus Christ that was in a position of authority, and yet he says my faith is of an equal standing with yours. Many times I have looked up to many of the disciples and thought wow they are way more spiritual than I could ever be. According to this verse that just isn't true. There are not different degrees, ranks, or levels of Christians. Just because we didn't walk, talk, and see Christ as Peter and the other apostles did doesn't mean they had something we do not. We have a faith of equal standing with the apostles of Jesus Christ. When it comes to Salvation we have the same priviledges and responsibilities as the apostles did as well as other believers.

3. Their faith was of an equal standing with others because of God's imputed righteousness.


In Christ we all have an equal standing of faith. Our faith is not in oursleves but only in the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. If we are in Christ we are all one with each other. Because of Christ their is no inequality in the body of Christ. Therefore there is no spiritual inequality before God.

Galatians 3:28--"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

1 Corinthians 6:17--"But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him."

John 17:[20-23]--“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.


Because we believe the truth of Jesus Christ, we all share as one body of Christ; Christ's life. Paul states this in Ephesians 4:[4-6], "There is one body and one spirit."


We are all sinners saved by God's grace. It didn't take any more grace to save the apostles than it did us. Christ paid for all sin. We have all received a faith of equal value and standing because God is just. He is not a respector of persons. Romans 2:11--"For there is no partiality with God."


All believers have an equal gift of faith because of God's imputed righteousness. God imputed is own righteousness to us through Christ when He died on the cross for our sins. It doesn't matter who we are whether we are: rich or poor, educated or not, african american, white, brown, or what stage of life we are in; we are called to grow in our faith. We must mature in our faith and conform to the image of Christ. God has given us the same resourses he has given every other christian to cultivate, nuture, grow, and use our faith to bring glory to Himself.

We as individuals need to be growing in our faith because we are part of the body of Christ--the church--which makes up one body. Therefore, if we are not seeking to grow in our faith through meditating on the word of God the body suffers. We have all the resources available to grow in our faith because we live in Christ. God has given us the ability through the Holy Spirit to resist temptation and walk in victory over sin in our lives. I believe the key to growing in our faith is to grow in the truth about God.

Lord, thank you for your precious gift of faith. Help me to use the resources you have given me to grow in my faith. Help me to live my life in a way that will show the world that I love you. Thank you for giving me a copy of your written word that I may grow in your truth. Help me to grow in the knowledge of your will.

Serving Our Lord Together,
Michelle Harrison