Reading 2 Peter the other day I was struck by how we look at certain words and came upon this gem, “precious” as used in 2 Peter 1:1. Here is the entire verse….
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 – 2 Peter 1:1 NKJV
The word “precious” isn’t one I use too often in my normal day-to-day vocabulary. In fact, I have not heard too many guys use that word, unless it is be used sarcastically or in some-sort of derogatory manner.
The idea is our faith is of equal honor or of equal privilege of Peter’s. He indicates his words are to those who have obtained the same faith as his. It is of high value, high honor, high esteem etc. While valuable, it isn’t weak or delicate – like we tend to use the word “precious.” But later on he does use a different Greek word that we also translate as “precious” in verse 4 that tends to mean what one usually thinks of as “precious.”
…by which have been given to us exceeding great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. – 2 Peter 1:4
Something of high value and honor. The first use has an idea of generality to it or commonality while the second seems more delicate and fits what we might think of as “precious.”
Our faith is not unique or to put it another way, the faith of Peter, Paul and the other Apostles isn’t any different than ours. Like us, they had to trust Jesus for salvation. They were full of human frailty just as we are and their saving faith was no different than ours.
Yet for both the ancient church leaders and for us, our faith is precious. It is of high value. Those promises of His Word are so valuable they are able to equip us to deal with sin that has corrupted the world around us.
Yet I wonder, do we really consider His Word “precious?” Do we really value it and treasure it? Or is His Word thought of by as a nice book full of good moral lessons? Do we really see His Word as the way to combat “the corruption that is in the world” as Peter describes it?
You see I am of the opinion that God’s Word has been under attack from the beginning of time, but the enemy’s tactics have become more brazen and more bold over the past few decades. There has been, even from within the church, a general apathy towards His Word.
I expect those outside the church to be distrusting of Scripture. I don’t expect the world to claim the bible is inspired or true or right. But I am highly disturbed when those comments come from within the church. I believe we are living in a time when, as Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2 that there will be a time when the Word is “out of season.” I don’t mean to indicate this concept has never occurred before, but most definitely is occurring now. The Word is out of season. The preaching/teaching of the Word in churches in increasing rare and I am concerned that few people sitting in our church auditoriums would describe God’s Word as “precious.”
His Word is true. His Word is right. His Word is pure. It is precious, of high value and worthy of our respect. Mostly, it is worthy of our obedience. So, obey His Word. Get in it and find what God has for you – it is His precious and highly valued message to us.
Blessings My Friend
-jm
Short Bald Guy 