DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- LIKE PRECIOUS FAITH

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – LIKE PRECIOUS FAITH

"Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." (II Peter 1:1-3)

Do you understand how precious your faith is? It is the same faith that Peter had – that Jesus died and rose again. The Gospel has not changed through the centuries. There have been attempts to change it, to water it down, to dismiss it as a fable. But it remains the same faith that we read about in the Bible and that the Apostles preached.

Sometimes we who have put our faith in the Lord Jesus for salvation forget just how precious that faith is. The word "precious" has several connotations. Something that is precious is of great value, something to be honored and cherished. Let's think for a moment of just how precious and valuable our faith is.

Because of salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus, I am accepted by God. I cannot earn His acceptance. It cannot be bought, and is only received as a gift. And what a precious gift it is!

Our Salvation brings cleansing from sin. Because of His gracious forgiveness, we are clean before our holy God. It's for sure, I cannot claim my own righteousness. But I can receive the righteousness that He offers. To be in right standing with God is more valuable than money can buy.

Our salvation brings peace with God and a clear conscience because we know that our sins are forgiven. A clear conscience is of great value.

Through faith, we can know God. This is more than intellectual knowledge. It is experiential knowledge that comes by personal relationship with God.

We have hope of life after death in heaven. Peter wrote about this in his first letter – "a living hope through the resurrection of Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you" (I Peter 1:4). That is worth more than anything in this world.

We are truly blessed. Let us rejoice in our precious faith.

Love, Dad