12/12 2 Peter 1:1-2

¹ Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: ² May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Peter's introduction to his first letter only described himself as an apostle. He certainly had learned humility through his betrayal of Jesus, but that humility deepened over the years (Matthew 26:75). In this second letter he describes himself as a servant of Jesus before telling us he is an apostle. Christian maturity is expressed as a clearer demonstration of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-24).

Peter described the recipients of the letter as those who had obtained a faith of equal standing with that of the apostles. He goes on to explain that this is because our faith is by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. It is not our own righteousness that justifies us before God, but the righteousness of Jesus freely given to us who have received Him as our Savior. Because it is His righteousness, we are all on equal standing before God. You and I are as righteous as the apostles in God's eyes, for the Father sees Jesus' righteousness when He looks upon us (Romans 3:22). Also take notice of how Peter describes Jesus as God in verse one, but then makes the distinction of "God" and "Jesus our Lord" in verse two.

The request for grace and peace in the life of another is a wonderful greeting. Many in our congregation have taken to closing their letters or emails with this expression. Could we ask anything greater for those we address than that grace and peace be multiplied to tham as they grow in the knowledge of Jesus?

Consider: Why not take this wonderful greeting of verse two as an expression in your oral and written communication? May grace and peace be multiplied to you!