EXCEEDING GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES

"May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:2-4, RSV).

Devotion 4 of 10

THE OBJECTIVE--"PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE" This is God's Purpose

If God has given "exceeding great and precious promises" as the means of

partaking of the divine nature, His objective is clear. The purpose of salvation is realized when we become "one" with Him! Anything short of this is unacceptable. No amount of religious activity can compensate for a lack of intimacy with the living God. Nothing perceived as "obedience," regardless of how slavish it may appear, will make up for a lack of conformity to the Divine image. This is a revolutionary concept, and scarcely known in the contemporary church. But it is at the heart of "pure religion," and is the sanctifying element of it. Observe the text in the NIV. "Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."

Not attractive to Those Under Law

This revealed objective soars far beyond the confines of sectarian religion. Those who are enamored of this world cannot even think like this! In his contemplations, the legalist cannot get beyond what he "ought to do." He reads the Bible to find how to live--the believer reads it to find his God -- and there is a vast difference between these two goals!

Not Relevant to Institutionalized Religion

An institutional man does not see any relevance in partaking of the "divine nature." The thought is too lofty for him. He thinks in terms of making an impression and promoting the sect. The idea of participating in the divine nature simply does not blend with organizational aims.

The Means Through Which the Objective Is Accomplished

Now, there is something important to see here. God did not give us the commandments to make us like Himself. This does not denigrate the commandments--God forbid! In fact, "this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous" (1 John 5:3). But keeping the commandments will not cause you to become a "partaker of the divine nature." That is not their intent. The person whose religion is embodied in a commandment has restricted himself. True religion is embodied in promise--which will, when believed, constrain one to obey heartily and with singleness of heart. The promises constrain one to obey the commandments. Notice the twofold objective of God's "exceeding great and precious promises." (1 To cause us to be "partakers of the divine nature." (2 To enable us to "escape the corruption that is in the world through lust." Both of these are essential for life with God. It is not possible to be "forever" with the Lord if we have not participated in His nature. Neither is it possible if we have not escaped the corruption that is in the world through fleshly desires. Those who are fundamentally unlike God, and who remain ensnared by their own lust have no chance whatsoever of "going to heaven." In my opinion, this truth is virtually hidden from the religious masses.

-- TOMORROW: PARTAKERS OFTHE DIVINE NATURE --