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growing faith

2 Peter 1:1-2

2 Peter 1:1 Simeon Peter, a servant of and a missionary from Jesus Christ: To those who have received a faith equal to ours by the righteousness from our God and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:2 May that favor to you and peace be increased by knowledge from God and from Jesus our Lord.

growing faith

Peter writes to a group of believers who already possess a faith equal to his. That is how faith works. It is a favor from God, and God gives it in equal measures. But Peter asks in his salutation that it will be increased. He is not asking for a more powerful faith. There is no such thing. So, what exactly is he asking for?

The source of the increase for which Peter is asking is knowledge. Peter will be sharing the gospel message once again with these believers. He trusts that this message will encourage and strengthen those who receive it. It won’t give them more faith, but he is asking God to make them more confident in that faith, so that they can pass it on to more people.

Peter was among the apostles who had asked Jesus to increase their faith (Luke 17:5). Jesus told them that even a tiny faith is all that is needed. Faith is not like a gallon of gasoline. One gallon can only take you so far, then it is out, and you are walking. Faith is like a mustard seed. It may be small, but it will get larger if it is planted.

The people to whom Peter is writing don’t need a larger faith, or a stronger faith. They need to plant that faith where they are living. They need the confidence to share that faith with the unbelievers all around them. The knowledge that Peter shares in this letter will help them to do that.