Peter, in his second letter, writes to "those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:1). That's an interesting description.
The phrase, "obtained a faith," is literally "by allotment." It wasn't achieved. It wasn't earned. It was allotted. The NASB says "received." Peter is making the claim here that those of us with genuine faith in Christ have not built it or manufactured it or produced it in any way. We received it. It was given to us.
This is consistent with his first letter where he referred to "those who are elect" and indicated that they were elect "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father" (1 Peter 1:1-2). This is consistent with Paul who said, "To each is given a measure of faith" (Rom 12:3). Paul told the Philippians, "It has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake" (Php 1:29). That is, the the only reason that anyone believes is that faith was "granted" -- given. And, of course, this is consistent with Christ. He said, "No one can come to Me unless it is granted him by the Father" (John 6:65). Faith -- to believe that the Son of God came in the flesh, lived a sinless life, died for our sin, and rose again that we might be saved -- isn't something we make. It is something we are given. Then we exercise it.
It's interesting that the text goes on to describe, not so much the mechanism, but the origin. They (we) were given a faith of the same standing as Peter's "by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ." It's interesting in light of Paul's explanation that the gospel reveals the righteousness of God (Rom 1:16-17). That is, in His righteousness (His "rightness") He gives faith that we (who would not (Rom 8:7)) can believe and be saved. Marvelous grace that leaves us with nothing to boast about.
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