Equal Standing

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I've still got this on the brain.  


I like having this on the brain.


A couple of days ago, I was listening to Francis Chan's talk:  "You have everything you need" (the newest one on the Cornerstone podcast), discussing 2 Peter 1:1-4 (2 Peter 1:3-4 are my life verses, so I was really into this talk as you can imagine).  This statement has been what I have been musing on...


"Do you, really, believe this?"


Before asking this question, Francis started out with 2 Peter 1:1 which states in the English Standard Version:


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:  (emphasis mine)


The version I read this verse in before was either the NASV or the NIV, which each states:


Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: (NASV)


Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: (NIV)


Hear what Peter... THE Peter.... Yeah, THAT Peter is saying... he says that my relationship with Jesus Christ is the same kind as, as precious as, and on equal standing with that of him and the apostles.  To paraphrase something that I have heard many times, there is level ground at the foot of the cross.  In the same way, God's power and grace in our lives is just as powerful, freeing, and life-changing in our (my) lives today as it was when the church was started.  


Again, Francis's question is ringing:  "Do you believe that?"  


I think that most missionaries and pastors would disagree with our belief that they are somehow "more spiritual than" or "have this special thing with God that other people can't attain" - yet this belief is pervasive.  Guess what... it's not true.  God loves you and me just as much as He loved Peter, Paul, and Mary (not the band, the people that hung with him), and He wants to work in our lives  as well to display His greatness through us.  


Do you really believe that?  


If so, let's live it out and show our friends how awesome our God is :-)

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