Into The Arms Of GodSample

Equal privilege

The Apostle Peter starts his second letter by saying,

“Simeon Peter”

Isn’t it interesting? He uses his Hebrew name, Simeon, and his Greek name, Peter. So he has a past and he has a present.

“Simeon Peter, a slave [or servant] and an apostle of Jesus Christ: To those who obtained a faith of equal privilege with ours...”

It may say, in your Bible, “A faith of a same kind.”

“...through...”

We are going to have this word, “through,” about four times. How do we obtain this faith? It’s through.

“...the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Now, look at how he calls Jesus: “God and Savior.” Jesus’ deity is emphasized in this verse. Jesus is God in the flesh. Our God and Savior Jesus Christ.

“May grace and peace be multiplied to you through...” – again, through – “...the knowledge of God and of Jesus.”

So here we have this kick-off. Here is something that everybody is looking for. We are trying to figure this whole thing out, and the Scripture gives us the answer. He says, “You have received a faith of equal privilege as ours.”

Same kind of faith! Now, get that in your mind. Peter is saying that your Christianity and his Christianity are exactly the same. You have the same privileges that Peter had. Now, that blows my mind. Peter was the leader of the early church. (Galatians 2:9) Peter walked on water. (Mathew 14:29) Peter was with Jesus in the garden. (Mark 14:32-33) Peter was right there at the cross. Peter made lots of mistakes, but Peter was right there at the transfiguration. (Mark 9:2) And now Peter is saying that my faith and his faith are exactly the same. I don’t know about you, but every once in a while, I feel like, “Surely Billy Graham had a little more Holy Spirit than I have.” I know that we are all equal, but surely some people are more equal than others. Surely Peter got more faith than what I have.

But here Peter is saying, “No. You have equal privilege before the Lord.”

Here is what we are all looking for in our organizations and societies. Here is what we are looking for in our world that is always seeking equal rights and treatment. But this privilege only comes through God.

We are all trying to figure out how to get everybody to quit being prejudiced. This is the way: Let them realize that God has created them.