“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, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature….” (2 Peter 1:3-4)
Early in his walk with Jesus, before he was filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter spoke with concern of all he had given up to follow Jesus. (Mark 10:28) Near the end of his earthly walk, in his final letter to the Church, a Spirit-filled Peter spoke instead of all he had received because he knew Jesus – everything needed for a life of godliness.
This life of godliness is described in both of Peter’s letters. It is the life of people chosen by God for His own possession: people set apart by God to proclaim and demonstrate the excellence of our glorious Savior King. (1 Peter 2:9) It is not a life free of persecution, but it is a life of love, faith, joy and fruitfulness with a rich and everlasting reward. (1 Peter 1:8; 2 Peter 1:8-11)
When Peter speaks of God’s precious and great promises that bring about this life, I think of how all the promises of God are “Yes” in Jesus Christ! (2 Corinthians 1:20) And I know Peter was thinking in particular of the great “promise of the Father”: the Holy Spirit who would come upon them, saturate (“baptize”) them, and provide them the power to witness for Jesus and His Kingdom throughout the earth. (Acts 1:2-8)
This brings us to Peter’s most extraordinary statement of all – our ability to become “partakers of the divine nature”.
By “nature” (Greek word: “phusis”), Peter is referring to the essential character and qualities of someone or something. Mankind is designed in the image and likeness of God, but our separation from God by sin brought us under the influence of the prince of rebels, Satan, and caused us to be “by nature” children of wrath rather than children of God. (Ephesians 2:1-3). Now we are invited through Christ to reconciliation with God and the restoration of our original design.
Paul calls this “alive together with Christ”. (Ephesians 2:5) Peter calls this “partakers of the divine nature”. And the key to grasping what both men are describing comes in an understanding of the Greek word, “koinonos”, traditionally translated since the time of King James as “partaker”.
Many of you are familiar with the Greek term, “koinonia”, used in scripture to describe the close mutual relationship or “fellowship” among the early Christians. (Acts 2:42) The term has also been translated as “partnership” in the gospel. (Philippians 1:5)
“Koinonos” is the word used to describe someone who is in “koinonia”: a person who lives in fellowship and partners in purpose with another. The term was used to describe Peter’s partnership with James and John in the fishing business. (Luke 5:10) Peter uses it in his letter to describe a partnership much more profound.
“Partaker” is an old English word for one who participates or shares in something. While not inaccurate, it doesn’t catch the fullness of what Peter is describing – our ability to become godly as we live in loving fellowship with God and partner in His Kingdom purposes for the earth.
Think of all the scriptures that affirm this awesome truth. Through Holy Spirit, our fellowship is with the Father and the Son, and made complete when it is also with each other. (1 John 1:3; John 14-16; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
Jesus prayed we would be one with Him. (John 17:20-23) As we join with Christ, Holy Spirit, who is also called the Spirit of Christ, becomes one with our spirit. (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:17)
Christ is the Head and we are His Body, called through Holy Spirit to “grow up into Him in every way”. (Ephesians 4:15-16; John 16:13-15) Apart from Him, we can do nothing, but in a life of partnership with our Lord, we bear much fruit. (John 15:5)
God’s purpose is to reconcile all things to Christ. This ministry of reconciliation, which involves convicting the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, has been given to both the Holy Spirit and to us. (John 16:7-11; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20) If we partner with Him, Holy Spirit will speak through us, pray through us, and move in love and power through us in ways beyond our ability to ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Christ called Holy Spirit the “Paraclete”, Greek for “One who comes alongside”. (John 14:16) Sounds like partnership to me! Scripture also calls Holy Spirit the Spirit of truth, grace, life, glory, wisdom and understanding, strategy and might, knowledge (intimacy) and fear (reverence) of the Lord. (John 16:13; Hebrews 10:29; Romans 8:2; 1 Peter 4:14; Isaiah 11:2) What a partner in life to have!
Scripture cautions us to “test the spirit” with the Word of God because both false spirits and our own flesh will seek to mislead us. (1 John 4:1; Galatians 5:16-24) When we do that, and learn to partner or “walk by the Spirit”, we begin to experience lives filled with righteousness, peace and joy. (Galatians 5:25; Romans 14:17) Marriages, families, friendships, workplaces, and communities are transformed.
Even more important, when we partner in life with the Holy Spirit, we start becoming the answer to the prayer of Jesus that we be one with Him and each other. Then this broken world will finally begin to realize God sent Jesus and God loves them. (John 17:22-23)
God bless you, and God bless our community.