Contemplative Bible Reading

2 Peter 1:1 (New Living Translation)

This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ.

I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.

Peter opens his second letter discussing the precious faith we have in Jesus Christ. This precious faith was given because of a couple of attributes of Jesus Christ. Those attributes are:

Justice and Fairness (?!?!?!)

Huh? This must be some mistake in translation or a typo or something. Surely the precious faith stems from something else like, well, uh, er, maybe power and glory or majesty and honor or something.

Justice and Fairness?????

Yes, Justice and Fairness. These words are found throughout the Bible. We might as well chisel these in marble or titanium or something permanent and place them at the door of our homes and our churches and across the bottom of our Zoom meetings in this year of the virus.

Justice and Fairness.

Amen. There is much grey area in these words. They are neither measurable nor black and white. To be just and fair means I have to extend myself beyond the reasonable. “Half way there” is not just and fair. Far over 50/50 brings me closer to just and fair.

God, please help me in my unbelief.