Partakers of the Divine Nature
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(NASB95) The Grace found in Christ is for Growth in Christian Virtue
(NASB95) The Grace found in Christ is for Growth in Christian Virtue
(NASB95)
Partaking in the Divine Nature is a vision that is important to our growth in Christ. It is a concrete stanchion that we can anchor to and draw ourselves toward as we walk with Him.
(1) How Do You Define Yourself? The standard you use determines how you feel about yourself!
(1) How Do You Define Yourself? The standard you use determines how you feel about yourself!
Our status is of immense important to us - what is my standing in each class? (87, 65, 99), what do my parents think of me? (proud, disappointed, I don't know and it bothers me), if I am dating someone... how is it going? (trending down, trending up, status quo, waiting on my monthly evaluation, some of you know where you stand all the time…:), and with you didn't)
These are the ways we typically define ourselves
I am a B-student, with a currently good relationship with my parents, I have some friends, my girlfriend currently likes me, I have a job prospect. (people generally like me, I am doing ok, I am not worthless)
When people ask Peter…Bond Servant! Apostle! Let's move it along! (joking)
1 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
1 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
"At the same time “servant” (better, “slave”) is not an expression of personal humility or an indication of “servant leadership,” but rather an expression for a person totally “owned by” and devoted to Jesus Christ, whose status is not his own but one derived from his master."
"At the same time “servant” (better, “slave”) is not an expression of personal humility or an indication of “servant leadership,” but rather an expression for a person totally “owned by” and devoted to Jesus Christ, whose status is not his own but one derived from his master."
Peter H. Davids, The Letters of 2 Peter and Jude, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 2006), 161.
Remember to be the servant of the King was a big deal. The Secretary of State is the Servant of the president.
An Apostle is someone who is sent out
(2) The Outcome/Fruit of Faith is the same for everyone just like the ever person's faith in God is of the same kind (Equal Value)
(2) The Outcome/Fruit of Faith is the same for everyone just like the ever person's faith in God is of the same kind (Equal Value)
To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
Peter's 2 letter is addressed to believers - possessors of the same kind of faith as ours, according to the Righteousness of Jesus (who is our God and Savior)
Those addressed have not been given a faith any different from the faith of the Apostles
Same faith
12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.
(NASB95)
13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak,
(NASB95)
13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak,
4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
(NASB95)
(3) Experiential Knowledge of God brings Grace and Peace
(3) Experiential Knowledge of God brings Grace and Peace
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
"Grace and Peace" is saying may God's favor be multiplied to you as you come to know Him better
Grace and Peace are included in the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord
This is also characterized as "Eternal Life" in
3 “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
(NASB95)
8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
(NASB95)
Grace
8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
Grace
(4) What God grants through faith is Grace (Power to live new life in Him)
(4) What God grants through faith is Grace (Power to live new life in Him)
3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life (eternal) and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life (eternal) and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
(1) We have no excuse in not living a Godly life. We are not waiting on any additional materials before we can begin
"Thus the knowledge of Jesus (i.e., coming to understand and acknowledge his significance), which was the basis of the reception of the equally honorable faith, is the means by which he, by his divine power, gives one all that is needed for a godly life."
Peter H. Davids, The Letters of 2 Peter and Jude, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 2006), 170.
(2) Power --> Granted Everything --> this everything comes through the true knowledge of Him who calls
Divine Power
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
(NASB95)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
(NASB95)
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
God's Power is what He is "able" to do
In my capacities as husband, father, minister, son, uncle, other - I am able to do certain things
If Jesus ever gave us a command He could not enable us to fulfil, He would be a liar; and if we make our inability a barrier to obedience, it means we are telling God there is something He has not taken into account. Every element of self-reliance must be slain by the power of God. Complete weakness and dependence will always be the occasion for the Spirit of God to manifest His power.
Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest: Selections for the Year (Grand Rapids, MI: Oswald Chambers Publications; Marshall Pickering, 1986).
What comes with Divine Power?
Grace
Truth
Judgement
What is the "everything" pertaining to life and godliness?
All that we need to be enabled
What is a true knowledge of God? Can I have a false knowledge?
Understand and Acknowledge Him as he is, and in all the ways that he has made himself known
You can have a false knowledge. It is when we think something works a particular way and it does not actually work that way. God's word should act as a clarifier among the many things that it does
(5) God's grace enables us to become partakers in his divine nature
(5) God's grace enables us to become partakers in his divine nature
4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
God's promises yield 2 benefits
Partakers of the divine nature - receiving an ethical nature like His own
Escaping the corruption that is in the world by lust
"By These…" what is the object of this preposition?
His Glory and Excellence (virtue/goodness)
What are some of God's magnificent promises? (have a long list)
Abraham - "in you all the families of the earth will be blessed"
3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”
Jesus
Jesus
20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.
(NASB95)
Holy Spirit
20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.
14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Holy Spirit
Partakers of the divine nature
(NASB95)
14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Partakers of the divine nature
To what level do we become "partakers" (what am I partaking of?)
His Character - Sharing some characteristics of God
Sharing some characteristics of God
6 Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; 7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”
Compassionate
Compassionate
Gracious
Slow to anger
Abounding in loving kindness
Abounding in loving truth
Keeps loving kindness for others
Forgives iniquity, transgression and sin
Does not like sin, nor will tolerate it, will let it have its consequences
Whatever the divine nature includes it includes a new integrity, that is not as given over to lusts (desires or our drive in different areas)
(NASB95)
13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. (fullness = without lack)
13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. (fullness = without lack)
24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
(NASB95)
24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.
(NASB95)
10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.
10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.
2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.
(NASB95)
2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.
2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.
By Partaking of the divine nature we "escape" the seemingly inevitable corruption that will happen in the world through lust
Lust corrupts us - think of a good solid, sound wall as a picture of integrity and steadfastness. Corruption is the picture of taking bricks out of that wall. When that happens its soundness, integrity, steadfastness is compromised
Lust stains us - we get residue on us from following our drives. It dirties our soul, our character, our memories our motives (by allowing other options)
27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
(NASB95)
27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Close:
"The grace of God in Christ truly transforms and empowers Christians to live righteously, even in the face of opposition."
"The indwelling Holy Spirit produces virtuous qualities in followers of Christ, which in turn result in fruitful lives."
(ESV Study Bible, 2415)