September 9, 2025, 10:11 AM
1. Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 2. Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
There are times as a pastor I had certain privileges that others did not have. I had the privilege of renting a parsonage. No one else in the church had a parsonage. It was a privilege granted to me as part of my position and responsibility. As an ordained minister in the United States, I also had the privilege of being able to have my housing expenses taken off from State and Federal income taxes not included as salary. That was a privilege allowed by the law.
When I thought about privileges my mind went back to when I was for the first time a Counselor in training at our denomination camp. I was still in High School. I had responsibilities, but I enjoyed the privileges that came with some responsibility. I could go to the kitchen anytime when I wasn't working for coffee and snacks. There were privileges granted to me because of my position.
You might remember a famous photo back in the 1960s when President John F Kennedy was at his desk in the Oval Office and underneath his desk little John-John was playing. When someone told him he couldn't go in because that is the office of the President, he said, “No he isn't, he's my daddy.” and he went right in. His privilege was not based on any responsibility but on his relationship to the president.
Peter begins acknowledging his authority and responsibility with the privilege granted him by God through Jesus Christ His Son. I am a servant (that is his responsibility). I am an apostle (that is his granted privilege and responsibility). Those are his credentials allowing him to be authoritative to the readers of his letter. Privileges are granted to us all who are in a relationship with God.
No matter how much authority a believer is given by Christ, he should never forget that the great joy of his life should be that he is saved by faith like all the other saints. No pastor, no apostle, no prophet, no King, no one else has any different privileges of sonship than you or I do because it is faith that makes it the same.
There are times as a pastor I had certain privileges that others did not have. I had the privilege of renting a parsonage. No one else in the church had a parsonage. It was a privilege granted to me as part of my position and responsibility. As an ordained minister in the United States, I also had the privilege of being able to have my housing expenses taken off from State and Federal income taxes not included as salary. That was a privilege allowed by the law.
When I thought about privileges my mind went back to when I was for the first time a Counselor in training at our denomination camp. I was still in High School. I had responsibilities, but I enjoyed the privileges that came with some responsibility. I could go to the kitchen anytime when I wasn't working for coffee and snacks. There were privileges granted to me because of my position.
You might remember a famous photo back in the 1960s when President John F Kennedy was at his desk in the Oval Office and underneath his desk little John-John was playing. When someone told him he couldn't go in because that is the office of the President, he said, “No he isn't, he's my daddy.” and he went right in. His privilege was not based on any responsibility but on his relationship to the president.
Peter begins acknowledging his authority and responsibility with the privilege granted him by God through Jesus Christ His Son. I am a servant (that is his responsibility). I am an apostle (that is his granted privilege and responsibility). Those are his credentials allowing him to be authoritative to the readers of his letter. Privileges are granted to us all who are in a relationship with God.
No matter how much authority a believer is given by Christ, he should never forget that the great joy of his life should be that he is saved by faith like all the other saints. No pastor, no apostle, no prophet, no King, no one else has any different privileges of sonship than you or I do because it is faith that makes it the same.
It is precious. That is the word he used to describe faith. It means priceless with highest honor. It is greater faith than faith in money, faith in the economy, faith in our nation, faith in our president, faith in our car, faith in our church, faith in the locks on your doors, and faith in our doctors. There is a precious faith that is granted to us as believers when it is given to us by God because it is in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.
Ephesians 2 says “It is by grace that we are saved. It is a gift of God not of works so no one can boast.” Have you received this gift of God? This gift puts you into a relationship with the living God, saving you from sin and all it's consequences and purchasing for you life everlasting with Christ in heaven. It is precious, marvelous and nothing can compare to it.
Faith must begin with knowledge. Without knowledge there an be no faith. Romans 10 says "How can they call on one in whom they have never believed? How can they believe in one of whom they have never heard? and how can they hear unless someone proclaims Him?" "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God."
Ephesians 2 says “It is by grace that we are saved. It is a gift of God not of works so no one can boast.” Have you received this gift of God? This gift puts you into a relationship with the living God, saving you from sin and all it's consequences and purchasing for you life everlasting with Christ in heaven. It is precious, marvelous and nothing can compare to it.
Faith must begin with knowledge. Without knowledge there an be no faith. Romans 10 says "How can they call on one in whom they have never believed? How can they believe in one of whom they have never heard? and how can they hear unless someone proclaims Him?" "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God."
Application: Ponder today Your position in Jesus Christ - "You are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus".
Prayer: Lord, only on the basis of Your saving grace and continual intercession for me before the Father, I come...I come.
