Participate in the Divine Nature

2 Peter 1:3-4

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

Sometimes, to better understand a verse, it is helpful to examine it from bottom up. So, beginning at the end, let’s back up through the verse and unpack some of this magnificent truth.

As we progressively escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires, we are able to participate in the Divine Nature of God. We are allowed to participate in His nature through the very great and precious promises the Father has given us in His Son, and in His Word, after we are born again.

We are eligible to meet the conditions for these promises, should we choose to be obedient, because Jesus has called us by His own grace, glory and goodness as a result of His work at the Cross and Resurrection. But how can we possibly meet these conditions on our own?

We have already been given everything we need for a godly life in Christ by His divine power, the Holy Spirit!

So, God Himself has empowered us to live a godly life; benefit from His promises; and, participate in the Divine Nature, through the progressive, sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. It is God Who does this start to finish!

TODAY’S CHALLENGE:

Thank the Father for His amazing plan, promises, and empowerment for a godly life, by the Holy Spirit, in Christ Jesus!

Dive Deeper: Study 2 Peter 1; Hebrews 6:11-12.