What you have as a believer
In 2 Peter 1:1, Peter writes,
“To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
The Nature of Our Faith
When Peter refers to “a faith of equal standing with ours,” he is speaking to the apostles’ faith. However, he is not saying that all believers have the same degree of faith. Scripture acknowledges variations in faith, as Paul notes in Romans 14:1: “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him.” Faith exists on a spectrum, from weak to strong.
Peter is instead emphasizing that all who believe in Christ share a faith of the same nature or kind. The faith of every Christian is equal in quality because it is faith in the same Christ, laying hold of the same blessings and benefits He offers.
This truth is a source of great comfort, especially in moments when we feel weak in faith. There are no second-class citizens in God’s kingdom. God’s love and blessings are not divided based on the strength of one’s faith. Even a weak faith receives the same love, blessings, and eternal rewards secured by Christ as the strongest faith.
Think about it—how remarkable it is that even the smallest faith, the size of a mustard seed, is of equal standing with the apostles’ faith. This means that we, too, can share in their confidence and comfort.
The Source of Our Faith
Peter makes it clear that this faith is not a result of our efforts but is rooted in the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. The phrase “righteousness of our God and Savior” is best understood as referring to the saving righteousness of God. This concept is often paralleled with salvation in the Old Testament. For example, Psalm 22:31 states, “They shall come and proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn, that He has done it.” Salvation and righteousness are inseparably linked.
Peter affirms that our faith is a gift rooted in God’s saving righteousness through Jesus Christ. It is the free gift of salvation promised to Abraham in Genesis 12 and fulfilled in Christ through His death on the cross.
The Divinity of Christ
Peter’s statement, “the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ,” is also a clear declaration of Christ’s divinity. Some argue that “God” and “Savior” refer to two separate persons, but this is incorrect. The grammar indicates that Peter is referring to one person—Jesus Christ.
We see this same construction in 2 Peter 1:11: “For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Just as “Lord” and “Savior” both refer to Christ in verse 11, “God” and “Savior” refer to Christ in verse one.
Thanksgiving for the Gift of Faith
Peter emphasizes that it is only because Jesus is both God and Savior that we can have forgiveness of sins, righteousness, and reconciliation with God. This salvation is not something we could achieve or deserve. Peter’s reminder should provoke deep thanksgiving in our hearts.
What a relief it is to know that our faith is not dependent on our own efforts but is a gift from the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ!
Faith Distinguished from False Teachers
Later in the letter, Peter addresses false teachers who promote antinomianism, claiming that behavior doesn’t matter if one has grace. By contrast, Peter reminds believers that a living, vibrant faith—obtained through the righteousness of Christ—distinguishes them from such false teachers. True faith is marked by obedience and perseverance.
Peter urges believers to remain steadfast, holding firmly to what they have been taught. This faith, rooted in Christ’s righteousness, will keep them on the path of righteousness and protect them from forsaking Christ.
The Blessing of Grace and Peace
Peter concludes the greeting in 2 Peter 1:2: “May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”
This benediction leads us to our third and final point: Peter Reminds Believers What They Need.
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