PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE (by Dennis R. Smith)

 The apostle Peter informs us of one of the many blessings which we can have by being a faithful and dedicated child of God. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2^nd Peter 1:4). "The word for ‘partakers’ is literally ‘sharers or partners’ and points to the relationship which Christians sustain in the Lord" (Guy N. Woods). In other words, after becoming a Christian and having all our past sins washed away (Acts 22:16), we now, through living a righteous life, actually share in the divine nature of God. Living by the instructions which God gives us in His Word is like sharing a portion of God in our own life on earth. But the real beauty and joy of this promise extends to sharing eternity with Him when this life is over (1^st Tim. 4:8). While God has made many promises to us here, yet can we begin to imagine how wonderful it will be as "partners" with God in that beautiful home of the soul which He purposed from the beginning (Eph. 3:11; Matt. 25:34)? By the same token, being "partners" with Him in heaven may be beyond the comprehension of some, but it is an extension of the Love which He will share with those in His spiritual family. (See 1^st Cor. 2:9; Eph. 3:15). Yes - Dear God - HOW GREAT THOU ART!