GOD'S DESIRE FOR SELF EXTENSION

"Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." (Genesis 1:26, NKJV)

Devotion 9 of 10

PARTICIPATING IN THE DIVINE NATURE

We "participate" in something when we share in it, or are involved with it. For example, someone "participates" in sports when they become a part of the sport itself. At the point they begin to participate, they are no longer a spectator alone. They do more than read books about the sport, they become a part of it.

Being "saved" involves more than becoming a Bible student. That certainly is involved, but it is not all there is. When we come into Christ, we begin to "participate" in the "Divine nature." That is another way of saying, we "conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom 8:29). Mind you, we do not become God--not even a little god. However, we are changed into His likeness. To say it another way, God extends Himself in us--that is what He wants to do.

The Word of God speaks directly about this matter. "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 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" (2 Peter 1:3-4).

Notice that the power of God is employed to accomplish this remarkable task-- making us like God. He uses "very great and precious promises" to achieve this work. His objective, or goal, is to bring us to think and act like Himself. He uses wonderful incentives to bring us where He wants us. Those incentives are reasons--good reasons--to do what He says. What He says He will do is so marvelous that we want Him to do it in and for us. When we come to that point- where we want Him to do His will IN us--we are not far from obtaining the blessing.

This process begins with enabling us to see Jesus as His Son, and to love Him as He does. It is true, our capacity is not as great as His. However, our insight into, and love for Jesus is the same kind that the Father has. It is something like having two containers One is empty, and one is full. The one that is full is a five gallon can, and the empty one is a pint jar. If I were to fill the pint jar from the five gallon container, they would both contain the same thing, even though they would have different amounts. When it comes to the "Divine nature," we are like the pint jar, and God is like the five gallon container. He extends Himself in us by giving us His own nature.

One additional consideration. With God, nothing of Himself is lost when He extends Himself in us. We have more, but He does not have less. How unlike humanity! If you had $1,000,000, and decided to give away $500,000, you would only have $500,000 left. The only exception to that rule would be if you earned interest on the balance, causing it to increase.

In the case of God enabling us to "participate in the Divine nature," He is no poorer because He shares Himself with us. If He gives us His peace, He has no less than He did before He gave it to us. He has, in fact, extended Himself- something He desires to do.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, and by Your grace, grant me to participate in the Divine nature. Help me to see and believe Your precious promises.

-- TOMORROW: CONCLUSION --
-- TUESDAY, New Series: GOD'S NATURE REVEALED IN CREATION --