Faith of equal standing – 2 Peter 1:1-2

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: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
(2 Peter 1:1-2 ESV)

Here is just an amazing statement in this letter from Peter. “To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours…”

Peter here is talking to all Christians. He is not just saying ‘to all the elite Christians out there’, or ‘to all that have their life together’. He is not just talking to Pastors, ministers and church leaders, but to ‘all who believe in Jesus Christ’. What a statement, that before God we are the same, whether we are a brand new believer or an apostle who was with Jesus from the very beginning of His ministry…. There are no levels to faith, there is no hierarchy in faith – there is simply faith of equal standing.

Your salvation is sure – whether you have just believed in Jesus this minute, or have been a believer for all your life. Your salvation is sure, whether you have been a ‘good person’ all your life or not, providing your faith is in Jesus Christ alone. There is nothing you need more than that faith in Jesus Christ. (To be sure there will be effects of your faith that will show in your life – but you don’t need these external ‘things’ to be saved, or to have a faith of equal standing even with the apostles! But more on that in another post)

So take that today as an encouragement and a challenge. You have been given the same faith, a faith of equal standing with every other Christian, whether still alive or passed away before us, right back to the apostles who spent 3 years personally with Jesus. And know then that no matter what has come before in your life – you can live an effective and fruitful life in Jesus Christ from this minute on, if you will only trust in Him, and believe that He can and will use you right now.