2-Peter-1:4 and Galatians-3:13-14
By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature–Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law–that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
What of Today’s Verse…
Here, we get at the heart of God’s “exceedingly great and precious promises.” By means of promise, the Lord has made it possible for us to share in His life: “that through these God’s promises you may be partakers of the divine nature.”
What a remarkable prospect this is that man could participate in the divine nature. Yet, the promises of God make this available to man. Of course, this does not mean that man becomes divine (as many false religions and some aberrant theologies espouse). God alone is, and will ever be, divine. “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me” (Isaiah 46:9). Nonetheless, man can share in the life of God, even though he will never become “a god” himself.
This is accomplished by Jesus Christ coming to dwell within the lives of those who believe in Him. The Lord Jesus died for us that He might give life to us. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life” (Joh_6:47). The life that Jesus wants to share with us is His own life. “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life’–Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life’ ” (Joh_11:25 and Joh_14:6).
The Apostle Paul taught this great truth extensively. “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus” (2Ti_1:1). He understood that his apostolic ministry was not only anchored in God’s will, but it also depended upon the life that God promised. Thus, he confessed Christ as his very own life: “Christ who is our life” (Col_3:4). Paul was not the source of the daily Christian life that he lived. “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal_2:20). The Lord Jesus was Paul’s life source.
This is what the promise of the Spirit is about. “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law-that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” At new birth, the Holy Spirit also comes to indwell those who believe. The Spirit reveals these truths to us through the word of God. Then, the Spirit pours forth the life of Christ through every humble, dependent child of God. “It is the Spirit who gives life” (Joh_6:63).
Let us Pray:
Lord Jesus, thank You for making Your life available to me. What a precious promise that is! Teach me to walk according to Your Spirit, that Your life might be expressed through my life day by day, Amen.
Words of Wisdom
Self-reliance…
Whatever is happening to you today is a direct result of the things you did yesterday. If what you are doing is working, then keep on doing it! If what you are doing is not working, then change it. Do not just hope that things will get better. Do something about it. Take action. Take responsibility for your life. No one is going to do it for you.
Your life will change when you decide to change. When you learn new skills, meet new people provide value to others. When you start each day with a clear purpose and direction. When you commit to doing whatever is necessary to reach your goals.
Life will throw obstacles in your path. You must decide whether to use each of those obstacles as an excuse for failure, or as a stepping-stone to success. You cannot control the cards you are dealt, but you can control how you play them. And therein lies the key to a life of accomplishment.
No matter how much money you have in the bank, what kind of car is in your garage, how many people have hurt you, or what you have done in the past, one thing is certain. The value in your own life comes directly from you.
Do not just wish for a better life–you can make it so!
