My children are becoming avid collectors. It started with finding cool sticks and bringing them home from the park. Now, they are collecting trading cards, superhero costumes, and gemstones. As adults, many of us have the same desire to collect things that are meaningful to us. We keep albums of photos, shelves of books, and a box or two of memorabilia tucked in the top of the closet. We have playlists of our favorite songs, a library of our favorite movies, and perhaps a special place for miscellaneous collectibles. These things reveal something personal about us. They tell others what we might consider interesting, meaningful, or even precious.
If we were to peek into the Apostle Peter’s life, what do you suppose we might find? What things might the apostle consider precious? Well, he has told us in his two letters to the church. There are five things he labels precious, not as a collector but as a follower of Jesus. These precious things didn’t occupy a shelf in his study but a place in his heart. As fellow followers of Jesus, let’s consider these five dear things of surpassing value, of excellence, of high esteem—that is, of a precious nature.
1. Precious Faith
First, Peter calls the believer’s faith precious: “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6–7, ESV). Faith is a precious possession, even more precious than gold. One of the most durable and valuable substances on the planet cannot compare with the believer’s faith.
Notice that this is specifically a tested or proven faith. It is a faith that has been through the fire of trials and comes out on the other side more refined, more genuine. In Peter’s estimation, a worn faith has more character and value than a brand-new faith—this is good news for those of us who have been tried in “the furnace of affliction” (Isaiah 48:10). Your faith is not worth less because it has some cuts and scrapes. It has not lost its value simply because it is no longer in near mint condition. Rather, it has become all the more excellent.
This kind of faith results “in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7, ESV). In other words, faith that endures the valley of humiliation will rise to the mount of exaltation. When Jesus appears at the end of the age, we will comprehend with Peter what makes our faith so precious.
2. Precious Blood
Second, Peter calls the blood of Christ precious: “knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:18–19, ESV). Notice again the comparison to gold. Gold, as precious as it is, perishes. It does not last. It is not indestructible. Peter’s point in these words is to say that God did not redeem us with an unstable currency. Christ did not ransom us with paper clippings or shiny rocks but with His own blood.
What makes Christ’s blood so precious? It was “like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:19, ESV). Because Christ lived a sinless life (1 Peter 2:22), His offering was free from any imperfections. His offering was truly one of a kind. Therefore, it is precious. It is incomparable to the blood of animals (Hebrews 10:4). Nothing so valuable has ever been given to redeem sinners, for Christ paid the highest possible cost to ransom us from “the futile ways inherited from [our] forefathers” (1 Peter 1:18, ESV).
Unlock a 10% off coupon!
3. Precious Stone
Third, Peter calls Jesus precious, referring to Him as a living stone and as a cornerstone: “As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious . . . Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:4, 6, ESV). This time, there is no reference to gold but to a different material. Jesus is likened to a cornerstone, that all-important building block for laying a firm foundation.
In both verses, this stone is “chosen and precious.” It is chosen by God and precious to God. Jesus is precious in God’s sight, for He is His only begotten Son (John 3:16) and His beloved Son (Matthew 3:17). He is precious to God because He completes the work for which He was chosen, namely, to give His life as a ransom for sinners: “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again” (John 10:17, ESV).
Jesus takes up his life again. He did not just die for sinners, but He rose again for sinners. Therefore, Peter calls him a “living stone” (1 Peter 2:4, ESV). And certainly, this is one of the reasons Jesus is so precious to Peter, for He is alive! He lives so that “whoever believes in him will not be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:6, ESV).
4. Precious Spirit
Fourth, Peter calls a gentle and quiet spirit precious in God’s sight: “but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious” (1 Peter 3:4, ESV). Notice again that what makes this item precious is its imperishable quality. A gentle and quiet spirit has an imperishable beauty about it, and that is why it is so precious in God’s sight. Such a spirit may belong to “the hidden person of the heart,” but it is not hidden from God’s view. “For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7, ESV).
Lest we think such a spirit is only proper for wives (as they are the primary audience Peter has in mind here), consider how Jesus, too, was “gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29, ESV). Jesus was quiet before His accusers, the ultimate example of this precious spirit (1 Peter 2:23). It is not the spirit who makes the most noise, draws the most attention, or creates the largest waves that is precious to God. No, He takes notice of the one who is gentle, lowly, and quiet.
5. Precious Promises
Fifth and finally, Peter calls the promises of God precious:
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire (2 Peter 1:3–4).
What makes the promises of God so great and precious? It is by them that we have been granted “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3 ), and by them that we have “escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire” (2 Peter 1:4). Unlike the broken promises we’ve received and even made ourselves, God’s promises do not fail. His Word always accomplishes what He purposes (Isaiah 55:11). What He promises comes to pass. And what has He promised us? I submit this sample of His precious and very great promises for your meditation:
Eternal life (1 John 2:25)
Rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28–29)
Forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:9)
His own presence (Hebrews 13:5)
The Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13–14)
His return (John 14:1–3, 18)
The crown of life (James 1:12)
Belonging to Him (2 Corinthians 6:16–7:1)
Resurrection from the dead (John 6:60)
And There’s More
Having peeked into Peter’s life, we have a good idea of what was precious to him as a follower of Jesus. If you were to make a list of your own, what might you consider precious as a follower of Jesus? Take a few moments to meditate on the goodness of God, surveying your life for His providential care, His good gifts, and His answered prayers. Ponder His timely provisions, His generous blessings, and His strong arm in your life. What stands out as precious?
Think about these things: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8, ESV).
Author Bio
K. Jack Faught serves as Associate Pastor at Parsons Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio. He is pursuing a D.Min. in Applied Theology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jack lives in Columbus with his wife, Claire, and their two sons. He enjoys discipling his boys, making his wife laugh, and spending time with his church.
Additional Resources:
| By Faith | Galatians Study | The Promises of God | The Attributes of God Bible Study | |||
Loading price… |
Loading price… |
Loading price… |
|||
| Add to Cart | Add to Cart | Add to Cart |
