2 Peter 1-Simon or Peter

Hello again to all my readers! For the past couple of months, I have been reading and meditating on 2 Peter Chapter 1. It is rich in deep truths and challenges that are meant to grow our faith into one that strengthens others and bears abundant fruit. Over the next several weeks, I would like to invite you all to join me in looking at this chapter and what will hopefully be encouraging to our faith and our walk with the Lord. Let’s start with Verse 1 of 2 Peter 1.

**Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: **

It is interesting to me to see how Peter identifies himself in this verse. First by his birth name: Simon. And alongside it, the new name Jesus gave him: Peter. Why would he use both? Why not identify himself only with one or the other?

Split Personality

Let’s take a look at these two names.

The name Simon in the Old Testament means ‘manly or strong’. Simon was a strong, muscular, self-made fisherman. He depended on his physical strength to get through each day. He was known for his muscles, his brute force and his survival skills.

Although these are admirable human qualities, Jesus gave Simon a new name that means rock. Not a large, unmovable, domineering rock, but a small rock, a pebble really. I think this is significant because when Peter lived for himself he depended on his own strength and ability to conquer every situation. But Jesus calls him a pebble. A small, insignificant pebble. BUT, a specific pebble that Jesus promised to build His church on. Peter went from a man of personal strength to a pebble that could only gain significance if the Hand of God was upon him.

So, why didn’t Peter just use the name Jesus gave him in this chapter?

Remember the story of Peter’s denial of Christ when He was taken by the soldiers before he was crucified? Remember how Peter didn’t stand up to be identified with Him? Well, I think that is why he kept his old name, Simon. Because all through Peter’s life he, at times, went back to being Simon: a man that depended on his own strength and wits and forgot he was living for, identifying with and being guided by Jesus.

He forgot when he went back to fishing after Jesus’ death. He forgot when he isolated himself from the gentiles at a dinner and Paul had to call him out for it. Peter often forgot his new name and new purpose.

I think we can all relate to Peter’s ‘split personality’. Sometimes we also forget who we are and what we should be doing and thinking.

This letter from 2 Peter 1 was near the very end of his life, shortly before he was martyred for his faith. He opens this letter with bold declarations of his identity that are also reminders of his struggle to stay on track with that identity. His first simple but direct words are a reminder to us that we are all human, we all make mistakes, our faith does weaken at times but we are all offered many second chances to get back on our feet and walk with the Lord again. He is also saying that our weakness shows up most often in the middle of hard times and when our emotions and earthly eyes are in charge. This is common in all of us no matter how many years we have walked with the Lord.

Maybe today you are living a “Simon” season. Maybe problems or heartache or both are overwhelming you. Worry and fear may be stronger than your faith right now. Attempting to fix your problem on your own is probably not working. Your own understanding of what is happening is giving you no answers. And maybe you have forgotten to not only put your troubles in the Lord’s hands but you are also struggling with trusting Him to work it all out in His time and in His way.

If this is true, then this is a good time to stop and be a “Peter” and not a “Simon”. I know it is time for me to do this in several areas of my own life. Are you, like me, trying to carry it all yourself? Are you leaning on your own understanding? Have you exhausted yourself in trying to find solutions when only the Lord can provide them?

Simon or Peter or Job?

So, how did Simon get a hold of his identity as Peter and leave Simon behind? How can we let go of the control we have and want over our own lives and problems and feelings and desires?

The same way Job did when he said, ** Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. **

Job faced trials in his finances, his relationships, loss of family members, and his health. All at once.

Once we can all get a hold of the truth of these words of Job and learn to develop the focus that Peter seems to have struggled with, our problems will no longer overwhelm us or leave us cowering in fear and worry. We won’t run away or forget who God is or what He can do for us. We will stand, with our heads bowed in prayer and our hearts yielded to the Lord’s Sovereignty and wisdom. We will accept His will for us in this season of life and patiently wait for His deliverance.

If you, like me, are in a season of trials and impossibles, it is time for all of us to be Peters and not Simons. To be Jobs and not Job’s wife.

You and I are children of the most High God. The Great I AM, who is also ourJehovah-jireh who sees, knows and provides. We have many**exceeding and great and precious promises**to lean on and wait for the Lord to make a reality in each of our lives. We have no reason to deny him, or run back to our old life, or allow the masses to distract us from our purpose the way Simon did.

God is good. Peter knew it. Job knew it. Simon wasn’t so sure. Let’s all choose daily to be Peters!