Obtaining a Like Precious Faith
2 Peter 1:1
Introduction.
Math is an essential part of our lives.
That’s why we learn it in school.
We use it to balance our accounts, do our taxes, and while making purchases.
We love it when we calculate sales (50% off).
We hate it when we calculate sales tax.
We might tolerate it when we calculate tip.
Peter tells us we are to add to our faith.
So the formula is faith + virtue + knowledge + … + love = sure election.
As we discussed last week, this is to be done diligently.
So this makes faith the absolute first thing we need.
This makes faith the foundation on which we build.
In fact, this letter is addressed: “To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 1:1).
This letter is not addressed to anyone else, so it is assumed the reader already has faith.
So what can we learn about that faith here?
Faith is Obtained.
Faith is Precious.
Body.
Faith is Obtained.
When we look out into the world, it is easy to see there are some who have obtained faith, while others haven’t.
Some live a life completely devoid of understanding what God wants of them.
While others have some idea, but it’s not very strong.
Still others are strong in their faith.
This word “obtained” is translated as “received” in other translations.
The Greek word is only used four times in the NT.
Twice it is used to represent receiving something by lot.
Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, was on duty by lot in Luke 1.
At the cross, Jesus’ garments were distributed by lot in John 19.
But the other time it’s used is in Acts 1, where Peter is trying to explain that they need to cast lots to decide on a replacement for Judas Iscariot.
He describes Judas as one who had been numbered with them, “and obtained a part in this ministry” (Acts 1:17).
The Twelve were chosen, given by God, not by chance but for a purpose.
We have been chosen, elect in Christ.
How do we obtain faith?
There is the eternal principle found in Romans 10:17 – faith comes by hearing.
There are a lot of false ideas on how we obtain faith.
There are some who claim that one is regenerated (born again) before believing.
Some believe faith comes by some experience you had.
In Scripture we find that faith comes by hearing God’s Word, and upon hearing one obeys the gospel and is saved.
This passage tells us that we have obtained it “by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Surely without Christ and what He did for us, we would not be saved.
It is by God’s righteousness that we are saved, for His righteousness demanded a life for a life.
That is why God commanded sacrifices in the OT.
But even those animal sacrifices would not be effective in taking care of our sins without the sacrifice of Christ.
It was His life that was given once for all, the life of the Son of God, Jesus.
He gave His life for us, and it is through this act of righteousness that we can be saved.
The gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes (has faith) – in that gospel the righteousness of God is revealed! (Rom. 1:16-17).
The just shall live by faith!
If we believe in Him, we have the right to become children of God (John 1:12).
That’s what makes faith precious …
Faith is Precious.
The well-known atheist Richard Dawkins is quoted as saying, “I think that a case can be made that faith is one of the world’s great evils comparable to the smallpox virus, but harder to eradicate.”
He goes on to say that faith can justify anything.
But then he goes on to misrepresent what faith is, calling it a belief in something with no evidence (Heb. 11:1).
That is a common straw man argument that atheists like to use.
Yes, if you believe something without evidence, you can justify anything—people try to justify all manner of things from the Bible.
But it appears Dawkins has recently changed his tune—as reported in the Times, he has noted that the decline of religion in the West is actually a bad thing.
He says abolishing religion would “give people a license to do really bad things.”
This atheist is coming to the realization that faith isn’t quite so bad after all.
In truth, faith is precious.
In Greek, the phrase “like precious” is actually just one word.
It means that it was equally precious or equally honored.
Whether “us” refers to the Apostles or to Jewish Christians is not important for this discussion.
The point is he shares in the same faith we do, a faith in our Lord.
Is it not a precious thing, to know that your sins have been washed away in His blood?
Jesus talks about how precious that is in two parable in (Matt. 13:44-46).
Something that is precious is “of great value or high price; highly esteemed or cherished.”
Finding the kingdom of God is like finding something so very precious, a very precious faith.
This kingdom and the faith that leads us there is precious in four ways.
It is a refuge from sin and evil (Col. 1:13).
We are still exposed to it when we’re out in the world.
But being a Christian sets us free from sin so that we can serve God.
Before, we were among those without faith, not caring what God wanted.
Now we are safe in His sheltering arms.
Have someone ever hugged/held you, a parent or loved one, and you felt safe?
That’s what our faith gives us in Christ!
It is a domain of righteousness, peace, and joy (Rom. 14:17).
We have already talked about how we obtained our faith by His righteousness.
But it is also a place of a peace that surpasses all understanding.
Let us also have joy regardless of our situation—joy of salvation.
Have you ever had a moment of perfect peace or joy?
That’s what our faith can give us!
It is an unshakable kingdom (Heb. 12:28).
Our faith may waver, but His kingdom will never perish.
Peter even calls it an everlasting kingdom (2 Pet. 1:11).
Sometimes we think of something precious as precious gems—these will last as long as the earth remains.
But have you considered how precious something is that will always be?
It is destined for eternal glory (1 Pet. 1:3-5).
Whatever pain and suffering we may experience here, it we remain faithful, we will see heaven (Rev. 2:10).
It’s difficult to imagine what heaven will be like.
John tries to paint a picture we can understand in Revelation, but I’m sure it pales in comparison to the real thing.
If something can bring you to heaven, an eternal paradise, isn’t it precious?
This precious faith is shared with the Apostles and the Jewish Christians.
Whatever benefits they receive from this faith, we have obtained as well.
This is all done through faith in the gospel, by the righteousness of God our Savior!
Conclusion.
Having faith is the first step for making your call and election sure.
Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6).
So to first be among the elect, we must have faith.
We have obtained a like precious faith!
That faith will motivate us to act, to obey the gospel.
I pray that that same faith will motivate us to be diligent to make our call and election sure by adding to our faith.
There are some who claim that faith alone saves.
Truth is, nothing alone saves.
So we must find our part in salvation, what we can do to be among those heavenbound.
In Scripture, we find what we must do …