By his own glory and goodness… [Christ] has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature. 2 Peter 1:4-5 (NIV)
What exactly does God promise to those who have faith? The first thing Peter mentions is that “you may participate in the divine nature.” What does that mean?
How could you participate in the divine nature? Either you would somehow have to enter into God, or God would somehow have to enter into you.
The Bible nowhere suggests that we enter into God. But it clearly teaches that when a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ, God’s Spirit enters the life of that person. When Peter says “you may participate in the divine nature,” he is talking about our union with Christ.
The apostle Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me (Gal. 2:20 NIV). Our Lord puts it in a picture: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit” (John 15:5 NIV).
The power of God that was once distant from you is now present with you, so that you have everything you need to face life! That’s the promise of the gospel. It means new power, new desires, and new capacities in the soul of the person who has faith.
When we are in heaven, we will see Jesus in all His glory, and we will say, “We knew he was great, but not this great! And to think that He was with us all the time on earth! Why didn’t we have more faith? Why didn’t we make more progress? What were we thinking?”
What is your response to this promise? What does it mean to you?
