WE ARE PARTAKERS OF GOD’S DIVINE NATURE!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY JULY 26, 2020.

SUBJECT:  WE ARE PARTAKERS OF GOD’S DIVINE NATURE!

Memory verse:  "having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” (First Peter 1 vs 23.)

READ:  Second Peter 1 verse 2 - 4:

1:2: Grace and Peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

1:3: as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 

1:4: by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

INTIMATION:

Many Christians still have not understood fully the finished work of Christ for them; haven made available to us the power of God as “partakers of His divine nature.” The finished work is like undeveloped resources in the African Continent. The finished work still remains the only source of our ability to live for God, have a relationship with Him, obtain and harness all the promises of God to us, live a prosperous life, and have good success. God has supplied us with everything in this life that is necessary for living according to His directions and developing a nature that prepares us for eternal dwelling. 

All that are necessary to live a spiritual life—a life of spiritual service toward God in Holy living in this world—have also been provided and granted to us by God (Second Timothy 3 vs 16 - 17). God has provided all that is necessary for a Christian living, therefore, if one does not respond to God in way that God desires, he or she is without excuse. God has supplied us with everything in this life that is necessary for living according to His directions and for developing a nature that prepares us for eternal dwelling. One of these things certainly is the word of God. It is through the word of God that we learn how to conduct our lives according to the will of God. The word of God is certainly the guide that we must follow in order to be certain concerning the conduct of our lives in behavior and godly living. 

However, the “all things” is plural, and therefore, refers to more than one thing. We would assume that other things include (1) The work of God in our lives in order to work all things together for good. (2) The Christian fellowship among those who have responded to the grace of God that was revealed on the cross through Jesus. (3) The provision by God of an environment that would sustain our very being in preparation for heavenly dwelling. All these things are included in the knowledge of Jesus through whom God worked for our salvation. 

Through the word of God that we learn how to conduct our lives according to the will of God. The divine power in the knowledge of Jesus makes it possible for us to put on the divine nature. Through obedience to the gospel, obedient believers are clothed with Christ, and thus, they put on the divine nature. (Galatians 3 vs 26 - 27.) They are cleansed of sin and thus brought into the fellowship of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Putting on Christ is dressing oneself in the divine nature of godliness and sanctification of the Spirit. Those who have put on the divine nature in Christ have been delivered from the lust of the world because they are now slaves to Jesus. 

Not many Christians have realized that we have in us divine ability. You then ask, "How can this be utilized?" It is acting upon His Word, living the Word life, knowing that all His promises are real and for you to receive if you believe. Knowing that you have your inheritance in Him as is expressed in Colossians 1 vs 12, "Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light." We take Him, by grace, to lead us into all the fullness of our inheritance.

We will know that Philippians 2 vs 13 is real and at work in us, "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." God is at work in us, thinking through our minds, operating through our recreated spirits. He has actually taken us over. Let Him Rule! While He is at work in us, we, as theatre of His marvelous works, should show the excellencies of Him. The power to lead a godly life comes from God. Because we don’t have the resources to be truly godly, God allows us to “be partakers of the divine nature” in order to keep us from sin and help us live for Him. When we are born again, God by His Spirit empowers us with His own goodness. 

Prayer: Abba Father, You have graciously imparted in us Your divine nature. Engrace me to live in Your fullness, manifesting Your divine abilities, utilizing fully the huge treasures of wisdom and knowledge revealed to us in Christ, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!