PARTAKERS OF DIVINE NATURE - PART 2

THURSDAY 11 MAY 2023

Indeed, by His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. Moreover, because of His glory and excellence, God gave us every other thing that is beneficial to our Christian faith, enabling us to partake of His nature. Let us find out!

Reference: 2 Peter 1:4 New Living Translation (NLT) "And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires."

When I read this sort of Scripture, I begin to ponder and wonder. Why so? Here's what I'm thinking: The vastness, immensity and magnitude of God's glory and excellencies associated with our calling, which we express through the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. That's what He called us into, meaning that we are fully qualified for everything God has given us. Therefore, in this article we are going to discuss the first line of our referenced Scripture: "And because of His glory and excellence."

Firstly and analytically, He called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. His Glory and excellence? Starting with God's glory, have you thought about the phrase: "The riches of His glory?" Apostle Paul said, "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19 KJV). In other words, the Kingdom economy is "supply" independent and so, we're well supported by His glory. There is no supply issues or shortage concerns and so, His glory has a wholesome beneficial impact in our lives as long as we remain responsive to the Word. So you never have to worry about God affording to supply all your spiritual and earthly needs, as you partake of His ever-increasing glory.

Have you also thought about His excellence? Apostle Peter noted, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (AMP). His excellencies entail His wonderful deeds, plus virtues and perfection of His divine nature, and we are the beneficiaries or partakers. Beloved, of a truth, God planned so much for us in Christ Jesus. Imagine the level of energy He called and qualified us into: "His Glory and excellence." Manifold wonder He addresses us as special people bought with a price, and particularly designed for His own possession.

To ensure that we function in the very glory He called us into, He first of all, raised us up with Christ, made us alive with Him and then, carried us up into the mystery of heavenly radiance, where He positioned us with Christ in the heavenly realms and (spiritually speaking), the air or atmosphere in that realm is excellently conducive for us to partake of His glory. For the Bible says, "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:5-6 NLT). Now this glory is within us, and to that effect, apostle Paul bids us to look within, and remain conscious of the glory as we conform to the divine nature. To instantiate this verity, Colossians 1:27 (NLT) reads, "For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing His glory." Got it?

To equally ensure that we function in His excellence and show it forth, He instructed us through apostle Peter to summon up ornamental virtues that fuel our faith. The BSB translation of 1st Peter 2:9 specifically mentioned that we have been called to proclaim or show forth His virtues. In essence, it reads, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." Hallelujah! Stay tuned for part 3. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - 2 Corinthians 9:11; Ephesians 1:18; Philippians 4:8; Ephesians 2:7; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 3:8.

Exuberant Declaration: I'm a partaker of God's glory and excellence and I grow stronger in partaking of all truths and blessings pertaining to divine nature. Glory to God!