Some promises sound too good to be true, like the life-changing nature of a new brand of toothpaste. The Bible makes the promise that those who follow Jesus can participate in the divine nature.
Which sounds too good to be true. But Peter lays out a step-by-step process for engaging in a life with the Lord. I like the way The Message version of the Bible translates the text:
So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others.
Peter continues with why we must continue to invest in our initial faith:
With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus.
Engagement with our Master Jesus requires an active disposition. To join in with the Lord means paying attention to character, growing in our knowledge of the ways of the God, showing kindness and loving our neighbors as ourselves. These mark the path to maturity.
We participate in the divine nature by actually participating. Active, never static. We don’t wait for a lightning strike, or a voice from heaven, but we go out the door having already made a decision to live our faith in this world. It’s a here we go Lord, mentality.
Perhaps you’d like to pray with me: Lord, as I go through my day, help me build upon my faith and join in your ways. Guide me to maturity, and help me encourage others to participate in your divine nature.
2 Peter 1 in reading the Bible in 2023
Photo by Josh Appel
Great job, Dave. I enjoy reading your blogs. I hope the line is long in joining me.
Thank you for the encouragement!