◄ What Does 2 Peter 1:1 Mean? ►

Simon Peter was a recipient of God's grace and salvation, and an eyewitness of His majesty and glory. This headstrong, young fisherman, who was the first to proclaim by revelation, "Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God," addresses himself to fellow-believers in simplicity and humility as: "The bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ."

Simon was the one who denied His Lord three times, and yet Christ gave him the name 'Peter' and commissioned him to: "Feed My sheep," and to care for the little flock that was to be persecuted for righteousness' sake.

And at the start of his second epistle, we find Simon Peter (bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ), offering words of encouragement and advice to all who by God's grace, had the obtained the same precious faith that he had received; for in Christ Jesus our God and Saviour, we have all become the righteousness of God in Him. We are accepted in the Beloved and have the permanently in-dwelt by His Holy and life-giving Spirit.

Simon Peter understood that there are no 'superior' Christians, for we are all one in Christ, saved by the grace of God, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, and a new creation in Christ Who is our Head. We all enjoy equal acceptance by means of this "same precious faith," simply because we trusted in the death, burial, and Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour for salvation.

Simon Peter may have trudged the dusty roads of Galilee with the Lord Jesus, been invited to the same wedding feasts, and attended the same gravesides. He may have shared many a meal of bread, wine, and fish, and at times argued that he knew better than the Rabbi who had challenged him to "follow Me," so many years before. But in the opening verse of his second epistle, Simon Peter gives the Lord Jesus the honour and reverence due to His name, His authority, His character, His deity, and His Person - with the title our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank You that in Your grace and mercy, You used bond- servants, apostles, and prophets such as Simon Peter to reveal Yourself, Your plans, and Your purposes to someone such as me through Your Word of truth. Thank You that I have obtained the same precious faith by believing in Jesus as my Saviour. Open my understanding to all that You would teach me in Your Word and use me to encourage others in their Christian walk. Help me, I pray, to earnestly contend for the faith once offered to the saints. In Jesus' name, AMEN.