“…so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature…” – 2 Peter 1:4
In the previous article, we explored how our story is transformed through the promises of God. In this article, we turn our focus to the culmination of all of God’s promises: renewal in God. To understand the default story of our lives, we have inverted 2 Peter 1:3-4. This article will examine how the gospel transforms the highlighted part below:
Our human power has worked in us all things pertaining to death and godlessness, through the knowledge of the world, which calls us to its own shame and brokenness. By it, we have been duped with empty and deceptive promises, so that through them we become practitioners of selfishness, enslaved by the corruption that is in the world because of desires that go against God’s design.
We Are Renewed in God
Peter continues in verse 4, “…so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature…” This is one of the most outstanding statements in all of the Bible. Peter tells us that what Jesus does in us—what He initiates—is nothing short of making us like God. Not that we become God in any way, but that we are renewed in His image as He—God Himself—makes His home in our hearts.
Think about who you would most like to emulate. Some aspire to be like their parents, some admire professionals in their field, and others look up to famous personalities. Trends often arise from collective desires to reflect similar attributes, be it through fashion, vehicles, or other choices. Similarly, when we become partakers of the divine nature, we start to reflect God’s character. The Holy Spirit, who is God, takes residence in us. As Paul says in Romans 5:5, “…and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” With the Spirit living in us, we bear the fruit of the Spirit and embody the family resemblance of God Himself.
Surface Level Transformation
Our longing for renewal and the futile pursuits we chase are rooted in our (sometimes imperceptible) desire to reflect God’s image, which has been marred by sin. Secular renewal myths promise transformation through worldly possessions or experiences, while religious myths focus on reform or devotion. Yet, these fail to bring true, lasting change because they only transform us at the surface. We must be born again, receiving God’s very life within us.
When we come to Christ, a decisive change occurs. You cannot become a Christian without it. True Christianity is marked by godly desires like loving Jesus, desiring God’s word, repentance, and self-denial. This transformation occurs because we become partakers of the divine nature. Through a relationship with Jesus, we receive the life of God, which brings true life.
New Life Goal
We often think life is about what we achieve, but God emphasizes who we become. The goal is not merely accomplishment but transformation. The pinnacle of life is not success but participation in and reflection of God’s life. The story of grace culminates in enjoying and reflecting the life of God.
CLICK HERE to read Our New Story, Pt. 4
