What is the divine nature, and how to participate in it?

[Frank Russell]

This is a discussion about the question: What is the divine nature, and how does one participate or partake in it?

Below is a scripture context to start off the discussion. Looking forward to reading some responses.

2 Peter 1:3-11
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble, and you will receive a lavish reception into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

[civic]

An expression somewhat similar occurs in Hebrews 12:10; "That we might be partakers of his holiness."

the divine nature—not God's essence, but His holiness, including His "glory" and "virtue," 2Pe 1:3; the opposite to "corruption through lust." Sanctification is the imparting to us of God Himself by the Holy Spirit in the soul. We by faith partake also of the material nature of Jesus (Eph 5:30). The "divine power" enables us to be partakers of "the divine nature.barnes

the divine nature—not God's essence, but His holiness, including His "glory" and "virtue," 2Pe 1:3; the opposite to "corruption through lust." Sanctification is the imparting to us of God Himself by the Holy Spirit in the soul. We by faith partake also of the material nature of Jesus (Eph 5:30). The "divine power" enables us to be partakers of "the divine nature."JFB

That by these ye might be partakers of the Divine nature: we are said to be partakers of the Divine nature, not by any communication of the Divine essence to us, but by God’s impressing upon us, and infusing into us, those divine qualities and dispositions (knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness) which do express and resemble the perfections of God, and are called his image, Ephesians 4:24Colossians 3:10. And we are said to be made partakers of this Divine nature by the promises of the gospel, because they are the effectual means of our regeneration, (in which that Divine nature is communicated to us), by reason of that quickening Spirit which accompanieth them, 2 Corinthians 3:6, works by them, and forms in us the image of that wisdom, righteousness, and holiness of God, which appear in them; or of that glory of the Lord, which when by faith we behold in the glass of gospel promises, we are changed into the same image, even as by the Spirit of the Lord, 2 Corinthians 3:18. Or,

the Divine nature may be understood of the glory and immortality of the other life, wherein we shall be conformed to God, and whereof by the promises we are made partakers. Poole

hope this helps !!!

 

[Soyeong]

This is a discussion about the question: What is the divine nature, and how does one participate or partake in it?

Below is a scripture context to start off the discussion. Looking forward to reading some responses.

2 Peter 1:3-11
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble, and you will receive a lavish reception into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The divine nature is holiness, righteousness, goodness, justice, mercy, faithfulness, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control, and so forth, and the way to partake in it is by following God's instructions for how to do that found in His law. Jesus is the exact image of God's nature (Hebrews 1:3), which he expressed by setting a sinless example of how to walk in obedience to God's law, so again the way to partake in the divine nature is by following his example.

 

[Complete]

This is a discussion about the question: What is the divine nature, and how does one participate or partake in it?

Below is a scripture context to start off the discussion. Looking forward to reading some responses.

2 Peter 1:3-11
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble, and you will receive a lavish reception into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

@Frank Russell, @civic, @Soyeong,

What a lovely reading that is from 2 Peter, quoted in the OP (above).

The Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, has within him two natures, the one he was born with, called the Old Nature, or the Old Man, to name only two, and the New Nature, also called the New Man, among others. In Romans chapter seven, is described the conflict that exists between these two natures, the old nature, now condemned and sentenced and awaiting a known end, and the new nature which reckons him to have died, and resists his calls and claims.

Having died with Christ, been buried, quickened, raised and seated with Him at God's right hand, the believer, now walks in newness of life before the Father, in spirit. This is a reckoning of faith, and a walk which is not always apparent to the eye, for it is before God, in Christ: but we seek to walk worthy of the Lord, as those who are indeed partakers of the divine nature, and walk in love towards God and men, in the manner that Peter describes in the reading given in the OP. Keeping our eyes stayed upon God's promises, not upon earthly sight.

Again this is a faith position, a reckoning of faith, and should be marked by grateful thanks and praise, as those who are indeed raised from the dead, in Christ Jesus our Lord, and await His appearing in glory, when we too will appear with Him there.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

* Scripture references can be provided if desired.

 

[Frank Russell]

In John 17 Jesus prays to the Father asking that those who believe through the apostles would be one in the same way Jesus and the Father are one.

This is one example of the divine nature being bestowed upon us, and how we partake, in fellowship with the whole body of Christ.

 

[Frank Russell]

Paul when speaking of love says we see through a glass darkly, but when we see Him, we will become as He is.

This is an example of the divine nature being part of the second birth, and brought out by the full revelation of Jesus Christ at the end of time.

 

[Frank Russell]

John when saying "God is Love" said that this love is matured or made perfect within us so we can have confidence on the day of judgment. This is because in this world we are like Him.

This is another example of the divine nature being bestowed upon those who have had a second birth by the Holy Spirit reinforcing the promise of the good news of Jesus Christ.

 

[101G]

the divine nature—not God's essence, but His holiness,

OT, Leviticus 19:1 "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying," Leviticus 19:2 "Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy."

NT, 1 Peter 1:15 "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;" 1 Peter 1:16 "Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."

101G

 

[Complete]

'Blessed be
.. the God and Father
.... of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who hath blessed us
... with all spiritual blessings
.... in heavenly places
...... in Christ:
According as He hath chosen us
.. in Him
.... before
...... the foundation
........ of the world,
that we should be
.. holy and without blame
,,.. before Him
......in love:'
(Eph 1:3)

In Christ Jesus our Lord, the members of the church which is His (Christ's) Body, ARE holy and without blame. It is done. The work is finished. We simply believe it, and praise God for His mercy and His wondrous grace, and seek to walk worthy of it.

 

[Olde Tymer]

.
Everybody starts off with human life and human nature; they're pretty much the
default settings-- so to speak --and it's readily apparent in the Bible and in history
where that operating system has gotten us thus far.

It is God's desire that we all abandon human life and human nature, and upgrade to
eternal life and divine nature; which goes without saying that the quality of an OS
like that would go a long ways towards correcting the flaws in humanity's current
set-up.

Many years ago, prior to my conversion to Christianity, it occurred to me that it
would be a whole lots easier to please God if holiness came natural to me like it
does to Jesus. Well imagine my delight to discover that God wants that for me too
and has actually devised a way to make it happen.
_

 

[Complete]

.
Everybody starts off with human life and human nature; they're pretty much the
default settings-- so to speak --and it's readily apparent in the Bible and in history
where that operating system has gotten us thus far.

It is God's desire that we all abandon human life and human nature, and upgrade to
eternal life and divine nature; which goes without saying that the quality of an OS
like that would go a long ways towards correcting the flaws in humanity's current
set-up.

Many years ago, prior to my conversion to Christianity, it occurred to me that it
would be a whole lots easier to please God if holiness came natural to me like it
does to Jesus. Well imagine my delight to discover that God wants that for me too
and has actually devised a way to make it happen.
_

Hello @Olde Tymer,

I am impressed with your application of, 'computer speak,' with the use of such terms as, 'default settings', 'operating system', and, 'upgrade.

The only problem being that God is not interesting in improving the Old Man, is He? Only a new creation will do, yes? The Old Man being reckoned as dead where any effort to please God is concerned. (Rom. 8:8; Heb.11:6)

'For the love of Christ constraineth us;
because we thus judge,
that if one died for all, then were all dead:
And that He died for all,
that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves,
but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh:
yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh,
yet now henceforth know we Him no more.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new.'
(2 Cor. 5:14-17)

Praise God!

 

[101G]

Only a new creation will do, yes? The Old Man being reckoned as dead where any effort to please God is concerned. (Rom. 8:8; Heb.11:6)

Correct, 2 Corinthians 5:16 "Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more." 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

101G.

 

[civic]

Hello @Olde Tymer,

I am impressed with your application of, 'computer speak,' with the use of such terms as, 'default settings', 'operating system', and, 'upgrade.

The only problem being that God is not interesting in improving the Old Man, is He? Only a new creation will do, yes? The Old Man being reckoned as dead where any effort to please God is concerned. (Rom. 8:8; Heb.11:6)

'For the love of Christ constraineth us;
because we thus judge,
that if one died for all, then were all dead:
And that He died for all,
that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves,
but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh:
yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh,
yet now henceforth know we Him no more.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new.'
(2 Cor. 5:14-17)

Praise God!

Amen

 

[Olde Tymer]

.

The only problem being that God is not interesting in improving the Old Man, is He?

When I first started using computers back in 1994, the terms update and upgrade
meant something very different from each other, like restart and reboot; whereas
nowadays those terms are confusing.
_