Text: 2 Peter 1:1
“Like precious faith” – a commonly used phrase, often spoken by brethren wording prayers in the assembly. But what does it mean? Why is it significant? In this lesson, we will take a closer look at this phrase used by the apostle Peter.
Faith
- Before we look at the terms that describe faith, we need to be reminded of what faith is (Hebrews 11:1)
- The source of faith is the word of God (Romans 10:17) – faith is not miraculously given to us
- Faith is more than mere mental assent (James 2:19) – it necessarily involves works of obedience (James 2:17-18, 24, 26; Romans 1:5; 16:26)
Like Faith
- Paul told the Ephesians that there is one faith (Ephesians 4:5) – all Christians are to have the same faith
- This implies unity (Ephesians 4:3) – unity in belief (Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Timothy 3:16), doctrine (1 Corinthians 1:10; 4:17; 2 Timothy 2:13), and practice (1 Corinthians 11:16; Matthew 28:20; Colossians 3:17)
- We should have the same kind of faith that they had – once for all handed down (Jude 3); the word of God does not change with time (1 Peter 1:25; Galatians 1:8-9); therefore, our faith will not change
- We must strive to avoid division (1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:3) – unless division is necessary (2 Thessalonians 3:6; 2 John 10-11)
Precious Faith
- This suggests that faith is valuable
- The proof of faith is more precious than gold (1 Peter 1:7) – Why?
- Gold is perishable (1 Peter 1:7, 18), faith is not – not in the sense that faith is eternal (1 Corinthians 13:13), but faith leads to eternal life (1 Peter 1:4-7)
- Results in praise, glory, honor – When? … when the Lord returns; faith looks forward to this event (Hebrews 11:13, 39-40), not something in this life (1 Corinthians 15:19)
Obtained Faith
- For faith to be obtained means there was a time when we did not have faith (Titus 3:3-8) – should remind us of the importance of gratitude, humility, and obedience
- Since faith is obtained, we know that not all will have faith (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2) – but the word of God is preached so that others may obtain saving faith (1 Timothy 2:4)
- Faith is obtained from God – does not mean that God miraculously grants faith to those who were arbitrarily chosen (Calvinism), but that faith is only possible because of God (2 Peter 1:3; Romans 10:17)
- We can have faith because God made it possible for us to have faith (Jude 3; Romans 1:16-17)
