In this passage, Peter offers a greeting similar to other greetings. Yet in this simple greeting, Peter tells us a lot about what we get on this earth through our salvation, what it’s made up of. We see through this passage, we are given grace and peace and that grace and peace is found in our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Grace – It is grace that God showed us while we were lost. Grace is unearned, unmerited, and undeserved favor from God - where He grants us complete forgiveness. And forgiveness from now and forever.
Romans 3:24 - Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 1:7 - In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Titus 3:7 - That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Peace – Upon salvation, God grants us his peace, His true peace. It can only with God that we can have peace in all situations. Now I’m not saying we will always use that peace, but with Jesus Christ at our core we can have it because we have nothing to fear when we know the ending.
Ephesians 1:7 - In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Titus 3:7 - That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Peace – Upon salvation, God grants us his peace, His true peace. It can only with God that we can have peace in all situations. Now I’m not saying we will always use that peace, but with Jesus Christ at our core we can have it because we have nothing to fear when we know the ending.
Ephesians 2:14-15 - 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Peter wishes his readers not only that grace and peace that they have because of their relationship in Jesus, but he hopes that grace and peace is multiplied upon them. Not because of their relationship with him, but “through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,”
Peter is ultimately reminding his readers that this peace and joy can only be found through a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is given only to those who give their whole heart to the gospel. The Greek term used for knowledge here isn’t just information but speaks to a rich full knowledge with and a degree of an intimate understanding.
It would be the difference between how I have knowledge of the Civil War, and I have knowledge about my family. I know about the Civil War, but I KNOW my family.
Peter wishes his readers not only that grace and peace that they have because of their relationship in Jesus, but he hopes that grace and peace is multiplied upon them. Not because of their relationship with him, but “through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,”
Peter is ultimately reminding his readers that this peace and joy can only be found through a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is given only to those who give their whole heart to the gospel. The Greek term used for knowledge here isn’t just information but speaks to a rich full knowledge with and a degree of an intimate understanding.
It would be the difference between how I have knowledge of the Civil War, and I have knowledge about my family. I know about the Civil War, but I KNOW my family.
KNOWING Jesus is our starting point in Salvation, then the rest of our life is about seeking a greater knowledge and understanding of our creator. As Christians we are to look to the example of Paul who wrote:
Philippians 3:10 - That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Do you have grace and peace today? Do you KNOW Jesus?
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