Like Precious Faith

Read 2 Peter 1:1-2

INTRODUCTION

In his first epistle, Peter emphasized the grace of God (1 Peter 5:12), but in this second letter, his emphasis is on the knowledge of God.

The word know or knowledge is used at least thirteen times.

The word does not mean a mere intellectual understanding of some truth, though that is included. It means a living participation in the truth.

Peter opens his letter with a description of the Christian life.

Before he described the counterfeits, he described the true believers.

The best way to detect falsehood is to understand the characteristics of the truth.

PETER’S PERSONAL EXAMPLE

Servant  (v. 1a)

The word translated servant is the Greek word δοῦλος, which is more accurately and appropriately translated as slave.

This word indicates being completely controlled by someone or something

It is to be submissive to the will of another

In Romans 6, it is used by Paul to illustrate our reality. We are either:

A slave to sin or a slave to righteousness

A slave to disobedience or a slave to obedience

A slave to death or a slave to life

A slave of Christ does not seek to please men.

Galatians 1:10

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

The way of a slave receives the highest honor.

John 12:26

If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

Matthew Henry To triumph in being Christ’s servant is very proper for those who are engaging others to enter into or abide in the service of Christ

As slaves of Christ, we are kings and priests of God

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Revelation 1:5b–6 To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

William Barclay To call the Christian the slave of God means that he is inalienably possessed by God.  In the ancient world a master possessed his slaves in the same sense as he possessed his tools.  A servant can change his master, but a slave cannot.  The Christian inalienably belongs to God.  To call the Christian the slave of God means that he is unqualifiedly at the disposal of God.  In the ancient world the master could do what he liked with his slave; he had the same power over his slave as he had over his inanimate possessions.  The Christian belongs to God, for God to send him where He will and to do with him what He will.  The Christian is the man who has no rights of his own.  To call the Christian the slave of God means that the Christian owes an unquestioning obedience to God.  To call the Christian the slave of God means that he must be constantly in the service of God.  The slave had literally no time of his own, no holidays, no time off, no working hours settled by agreement, no leisure, all his time belonged to the master.  The Christian is necessarily the man every moment of whose life and time is spent in the service of God.

Peter was communicating that he was bound by duty to do whatever his master told him, no matter what the cost.

Apostle (v. 1a)

On the one hand, Peter humbles himself to be the equal of all believers, on the other hand, he represents himself as a spokesman for Christ.

ἀπόστολος means “sent one,” “messenger”

So he had all of Christ’s authority with him.  He served, and yet he had authority.  He was under Christ, and yet he was the representative of Christ.  

And there is the model for spiritual leadership – the submissive, sacrificial obedience of a slave joined with the strength, boldness, and courage of an apostle.

Apostles were to be examples to other believers while being used by God to share His message and be His authority in the Church

Their duties consisted of:

Preaching the Gospel (1 Corinthians 1:17)

Teaching and Praying (Acts 6:2-4)

Working miracles (2 Corinthians 12:12)

Building up other church leaders (Acts 14:23)

Writing the Word of God 

THE EXAMPLE OF BELIEVERS

A Faith of Equal Standing (v. 1b)

This is a faith that brings unity in the Body of Christ. We have faith in Christ and we are to be a slave of Christ 

We are chosen to be saved, sanctified and obedient to Christ 

1 Peter 1:2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood Revelation 17:14 They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.

This faith of equal standing (or like precious faith, KJV, or faith of the same kind, NASB) is a faith that leads to knowledge and obedience

It is different than the “faith” of false teachers, whom Peter will address beginning in Chapter 2

It is a faith that: Brings about spiritual life - Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith. Brings about forgiveness and freedom - Acts 13:38–39 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. Brings about preservation of the soul - Hebrews 10:35-39

It is a faith that is possible because of the righteousness of Christ 

ἐν can be translated as either “by” (indicating how one obtains their faith) or “in” (indicating what the object of their faith is)

Either translation does not negate that the faith is λαχοῦσιν (“received” or “obtained”, not by one’s own effort)

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God

Grace and Peace Be Multiplied (v. 2)

Grace and peace are multiplied as we seek to know Him through the Word 

It is the very definition of eternal life John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

Through our faith, we have:

Peace with God - Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace of God - Philippians 4:6–7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Warren Wiersbe God’s grace and peace are “multiplied” toward us as we walk with Him and trust His promises.

CONCLUSION

In this epistle about knowing the truth and living it, the Apostle Peter points to himself as an example for believers to follow: a bond-servant of Christ. 

As believers desire to serve Christ, they must recognize their unity in their faith and seek to grow in their knowledge of God, as they have been given everything they need pertaining to life and godliness.

We are to build one another up for the work of service.

BENEDICTION

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.