2 Peter 1:1-4, Precious Faith

When our daughter  Rachél was a little girl, I began calling her “Little Precious.” The moniker stuck, and even as an adult, she often signs a card or note to me on a special occasion as either “Little Precious” or “L. P.”

We call people precious who are important to us. It speaks to their value, worth, and the feelings we have for them.

Additionally, there are material objects we may deem as precious. Such as “precious metals.” Or “precious jewels.” Or “precious keepsakes.” We also speak of “precious memories.” Or the “precious” nature of time and life itself because it is fleeting, fragile, and sacred.

In our passage today, Peter refers to the faith of his readers as a “like precious faith.” The word embodies that which is valuable, costly, esteemed, and honored. Consider these reasons from our text why our faith is so precious.

#1 Our Faith is Precious Because it’s centered in Christ.

The Christian faith is not founded in a philosophy, human creed, adherence to doctrinal dogma, or devotion to a cause, but it is founded in a person–Jesus Christ. Peter affirms his apostleship from Christ, and he is, in fact, a bondservant of Christ.

Furthermore, our faith is derived from who Jesus is — the Christ, the Son of God. Our quest to draw close to God begins with Jesus, who proclaimed, “I am the way, the Truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me” (Jn. 14:6).

#2 Our Faith is Precious Because it’s Shared.

The best experiences in life are those we share with those we love. Family vacations. Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and significant milestones are made the more precious because we enjoy them with the people closest to us, whom we cherish and value.

Spiritually, we are blessed with a precious fellowship. We share in the privileges and prerogatives of our faith. We have those with whom we share higher and nobler values and virtues. We walk the same road. We experience the same love, joy, peace, and grace that comes from God. We have brothers and sisters who bear our burdens, weep in our sorrows, rejoice in our successes, and encourage one another to press on toward the heavenly prize.

#3 Our Faith is Precious because it’s Grounded in Knowledge.

Our faith is not wishful thinking, whistling in the dark, or a superstitious, subjective feeling. It is objective. Concrete. Based on the Truth of the Gospel. It is secured in the unchanging reality of God’s nature, Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, and the veracity of Scripture.

Twice in this text, Peter speaks of the importance of what we know. Grace, peace, and the path of a better life, a godly life, and a virtuous life can be learned, obtained, and enjoyed through the “knowledge of Him who has called us to glory and virtue.”

#4 Our Faith is Precious Because it allows us to be Partakers of His Divine Nature.

This begins with God’s “Divine power” that can change and transform us to be “conformed to the image” of Jesus (Rom. 8:29). To follow Him, imitate Him, and imbibe the sentiment of the hymn “O, to be like Thee.”

Peter reminds us of the Father’s plea to those who share in His nature, “Be holy, for I am holy’ (1 Pet. 1:16). Fourteen times in Peter’s two epistles he speaks of our call to holiness. We are a “holy priesthood,” “a holy nation,” to be engaged in “holy conduct.” Thus, we can become partakers, partners, and sharers in God’s Divine nature, equipping us to overcome temptation, persevere in trials, and reflect God’s character in an ungodly world.

#5 Our Faith is Precious Because of the Promises it Offers.

Peter calls them “ exceedingly great and precious promises.”

Apparently, Peter liked the word “precious,” for he not only wrote about the “precious faith” and “precious promises,” but also about the “precious blood” (1 Pet. 1:19), the “precious stone” (1 Pet. 2:4,6), and the “precious” Savior(1 Pet. 2:7).

Together, all the descriptions remind and reinforce the “precious promises” that serve as a lifeline for our faith. Forgiveness of sins. The privilege of prayer. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Communion with the Creator. A personal relationship with Jesus. Fellowship in a church family with those of “like precious faith.” And the hope of eternal life. These promises provide strength, fortitude, and courage to forge ahead in a corrupt culture, clinging to Him who has overcome the world and offers us that assurance with a faith that overcomes the world.

Thanks to God who allows us all to become precious people in His sight through the “precious faith.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman