“Partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4)

The Apostle Peter tells saints, “Divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him … by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:3–4). He didn’t mean saints can become God. There will always be an infinite gap between creature and Creator; but just as the first man, Adam, was made in the image of God, so we, by the renewal of the Holy Spirit, are in a more Divine sense, made in the image of God, and are partakers of the Divine nature.

“God is love”; we become love. God is truth; we become true, and we love truth. God is good, and He makes us good. God is holy, and He sanctifies us. But, we become partakers of the Divine nature in an even higher sense.

If you’re saved, you’re a member of Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 12:27). The same blood which flows in the head flows into the hand: and the same life which quickens Christ quickens His people, for “you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). You’re married to Christ (Ephesians 5:31-32). You’re one spirit with Christ (1 Corinthians 6:17). You’re joined to Him like a branch is joined to a vine. “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

If you’re saved, you’re the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19): “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11).

So, “walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power” (Colossians 1:10–11).