The Knowledge of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ

2 Pet. 1:1-2

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

One more thing to note is that in v. 1 it says our God and Savior Jesus Christ. In my footnote, it says that this is one of the clearest declarations that Jesus is God, because both God and Christ are the object of knowledge. Both are all-knowing! What an abundance of blessing! 

Throughout the epistles, there are multiple prayers asking specifically for this knowledge. For example, Eph. 1: 17-that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. This verse does not deny the deity of Christ, but affirm's his true humanity. It also explains how Jesus is the mediator between God and man. And as an added bonus demonstrates the ministry of the Holy Spirit in teaching believers the knowledge found in both God and Christ. And in Col. 1:9-And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 

In v. 2, The idea of knowledge is developed even more. In this knowledge, grace and peace will be multiplied [which only makes sense]. Where else do we experience and understand [as much as our flawed humanity will allow] grace and peace, but through the the Word, the Logos? The Word of God exceeds the confines of the printed page by being alive.  Heb. 4:12 says, it is living and active. It is in the Word that believers, with confidence, draw near to the throne of grace to receive grace and mercy in time of need. My question is. When wouldn't we have a need? Certainly, this is a continual need expressed in prayer and understood in the Word. 

In we Eph. 2:14  we see another fact tying these ideas together. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility. This is the peace found in the knowledge of Jesus. Heb. 13:20 says, Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant... Finally, the God of peace bringing to life our Lord Jesus who is our peace, and all this peace is uniquely found and imbibed through the Word of God. Praise be!

Father,

What a wonderful gift in the person of Your Son and in Your Spirit. Help me to see these connections in Your word. Thank You, Jesus for breaking down the wall of hostility so that I might know Your grace and peace. 

In His name,

Amen