Precious Faith
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:1
1 Peter 1:1 begins with “Peter,” while 2 Peter 1:1 begins with “Simon Peter.” Peter was always Simon from the time of his birth and Jesus named him, “Peter,” when he was born again.
I trust that everyone reading these devotionals is also born again. Do you ever stop to think of your birth places? I was physically born in Detroit, Michigan and I was spiritually born in Allen Park, Michigan. Planet Earth is the location of our physical birth, but the day comes when everyone who was born physically will physically die because of the curse of sin. Those who receive a spiritual birth will never die spiritually. Their soul will leave this earth and enter everlasting life in Heaven.
Your first birth is natural while your second birth is supernatural. Some of us have been around a long time as God allows us a certain amount of time to become what He wants us to become and to serve Him as His representatives on earth. And whatever you were named when you were born, you will be so when you leave this earth for Heaven.
With the transgender movement, a number of people have changed both their names and their identity. However, when they stand before God in the judgment, they will be what God created them to be in the first place.
When you were first born, you received a certain nature but the moment you are born again, God infuses into you a new nature. Simon represents his old nature while Peter represents his new nature. We see him in his old nature in John 1 when he was a professional fisherman. As a rough fisherman, we can assume that he was a cursing individual. We know that from a momentary reflection of his old nature before those who were standing near him when Jesus was on trial. At that he began to curse and swear to them, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed (Matthew 26:74).
It was his brother Andrew that brought Peter to Jesus (John 1:42). That was the moment of his salvation and Jesus said to him, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. Cephas is Aramaic while Peter is Greek.
We need to understand that Peter had been in the flesh a long time. No, our lives are not immediately turned into mature spiritual giants. And, if we are not on guard, we can revert to a display of flesh as did Peter when Jesus was on trial. There are times when Peter speaks when you will not be sure if he is speaking as Simon or Peter. On one occasion Jesus said to him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men (Mark 8:33). Can you recall times when you reverted to your old nature in a momentary display of flesh?
Do you have two names? It is more important to ask if you have two natures. We must be careful not to confuse being born again with confirmation, joining the church, or making life changes. It is not until you have a confrontation with Jesus Christ Himself, realizing yourself a sinner, repenting of your sin, and receiving Him as your Lord and Savior that you are given the new nature. Just like marriage, it is as though the Spirit of God says to you – “Wilt thou have this man Christ Jesus to be your personal Savior?” Having repented of your sin, you say, “I will,” and God saves you, giving you a new nature, adopting you into His family and even imputing His righteousness to you.
Today, look back at your first birth, recognizing how God brought you into this world and then consider your new birth and all the events around it. Most of all, recognize just how precious is your faith and thank God for it. Pause and praise Him for His grace in bringing you to Himself, just as He did Simon Peter.
How precious is your faith to you today?
George Stiekes serves as a Lay Pastor at Bethany Bible Church in Hendersonville, NC. See here for a more complete bio of brother Stiekes extensive ministry. We republish his material by permission.
Copyright Albert Bridge and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.