Title: Those who participate in the divine nature
Contents
Bible: 2 Peter 1:1-10 Title: A life of sharing in God's disposition
The Apostle Peter says that the saints have become “partakers of the divine nature” (v. 4).
1. The content of that life
1) Transform into a person of hope.
The disposition of God, who possesses eternal life, has characteristics that cannot be imitated by human disposition. It is the 'creative disposition' as the Creator and the 'hopeful disposition' as the Savior. It is the nature of people to feel resentment and despair in front of the Red Sea, where the people of ancient times, when they exodus from Egypt, and the words to Moses to 'stretch out your hand over the sea' are the very things that contrasted well with God's hopeful disposition. Yes. Jesus Christ is the condensed and incarnated person of this hopeful disposition of God. It is Christ who jumped into the sinful life with hope in the fallen world, and the crystallization of that hope is the cross of Golgotha. Therefore, the saints who abide in Christ imitate God's disposition and become hopeful beings who do not kneel in the face of death, injustice and misfortune.
2) Transformed into a person of mission.
The values of life change and you become more like God. Those who realize God and His holy will in Christ have no choice but to change their values of life. Like Zacchaeus, money and fame are not the treasures of life, but God’s forgiveness and love revealed in Jesus Christ are the lifeblood of life. That is why we make it our mission of life to share the gospel with others.
2. The driving force of that life
1) It is possible with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Just as we repent and are born again in the power of the Holy Spirit, the change in the character of the saints is possible because of the help of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit blocks the wrong way, gives strength when we are in despair, takes care of us when we fall into sin, and always helps the saints to live in the grace and covenant of Christ, so that the saints can better understand God in God's providence. You get to know him and he starts to resemble his character.
2) It is alleviated by faith.
Although it is possible to imitate God's disposition with the help of the Holy Spirit, it is important to keep in mind that the breadth and depth of change vary according to the individual 'beliefs' of each believer. Compare King Saul and the boy David. Also consider Eli the priest, young Samuel, and young Samuel, whose spiritual eyes were darkened. Those who believe first will be last, and those who believe last will be first.
A person who is sincere and pure in faith, and therefore always faithful to the commandments and mission of Christ, will come to know God and His will more deeply and easily resemble God. Therefore, believers should pray to receive the grace of the Holy Spirit. And at the same time, we must strive to give ourselves to God.
We must keep in mind that our faith is not only made up of 'God's grace', but also the sincere tears, sweat and blood of the saints.
3. The result of that life
First, it bears the abundant fruit of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, they become good friends to God and neighbors.
Second, if you act according to God's disposition, your life and your life will change.
Therefore, they can lead a safe and prosperous life irrespective of their sins, and are satisfied with their spiritual fulfillment year after year.
closing words.
The life of the saints on this earth, which is called 'sanctification', has the meaning of a 'bridge of eternal life' that assures and guarantees future glory. The blessing of sharing in God's disposition is the true joy of eternal life that Christians can enjoy on this earth.