"LIKE PRECIOUS FAITH" -- Monday, New Series:
"To those who have obtained like precious faith with us . . . " (NKJV). (2 Peter 1:1)
Here is one of the pivotal declarations of Scripture! Those in Christ are told they have "OBTAINED like precious faith." The "faith" of which he speaks involves conviction, persuasion, and trust or reliance. It must be possessed if the individual is to "please God" (Heb 11:6).
Peter makes this statement as an Apostle, inspired of God. He also does so as a seasoned Apostle, nearing the point of disembarkment from this "present evil world." He is not arguing a theological position, but stating an unalterable fact. Faith is "obtained," not produced by men. Those, for instance, who say faith is the result of evidence and reason have not accurately stated the case. The evidence that we have is not seen, and valid spiritual reasoning is of a higher order.
We have "obtained" faith! It was "given" to us to "believe" (Phil 1:29). The Holy Spirit said of Apollos, who was "mighty in the Scriptures," that "he greatly helped those who had believed through grace" (Acts 18:27). A functioning measure of faith is given to "every man" in Christ Jesus (Rom 12:3,6). Everything we have, including our faith, has come from God (1 Cor 4:7).
It should be evident to all that the nature of faith requires that it be given to us. It deals with One, and with matters, that are beyond this world. The Object of our faith is "in heaven." So far as the flesh is concerned, He is "invisible." If the Lord does not "open" our hearts to receive this gracious gift, we will never possess it (Acts 16:14). What is more, the "natural man" (which is all we have apart from a gift from God), "does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor 2:14). With faith, we see "Him Who is invisible" (Heb 11:27). Let no person suppose, therefore, their faith to be the product of their own doing! It is not, and must not be so viewed.
The phrase "like precious faith" is an arresting one. Faith is obviously "precious," giving us access to God, Christ, and the "things of the Spirit of God." This is a favorite word of Peter, describing something of great functional value and unparalleled satisfaction. He calls faith "precious" (1 Pet 1:7), as well as the "blood of Christ" (1 Pet 1:19), Jesus Himself (1 Pet 2:4,6,7), and God's promises (2 Pet 1:4). Our faith falls into that marvelous category!
But this is a different use of the term, even coming from a different word. The word used here means EQUALLY valuable, or of the SAME kind: i.e., "LIKE precious faith." The NASB reads, "a faith of the same kind as ours." The RSV reads, "a faith of equal standing with ours," while the NIV reads, "a faith as precious as ours." That is an engrossing consideration!
The faith possessed by every believer is classed along with that possessed by the Apostles themselves! It does not make us Apostles, because faith is "by measure." It is not dispensed to us in equal measures, although the substance is the same -- "LIKE precious." There is, however, only "ONE faith" (Eph 4:5), and it is the one YOU possess in Christ Jesus. It is as effective for what you are appointed to do as that of the Apostles for what they were appointed to do.
Peter has no reservations about classing himself with all who are in Christ Jesus. He does not set himself above them, but with them. That is one of the marks of a godly person – one who has "the mind of Christ." They know faith is effectual wherever it is found. The possessor of the faith, from this viewpoint is incidental. It is the faith itself that is the point. Child of God, highly treasure your faith! Engage in "the good fight of faith," which involves an effort to keep the faith God has given to you. The success of your fight does depend upon your own strength. If you will only engage in the fight, God will see to it that you win.
PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You for faith! Thank You for providing a glorious Gospel through which faith comes. Thank You in Jesus' name for opening my heart to receive faith and act upon it.