All posts by Larry

Divine Nature

2 Peter 1:4 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.

Series finale.

When I saw this passage I wanted to see what translators had to offer as alternative language to divine nature. In all translations except one, they offered no alternative language. They could find no other words to express divine nature. The Worldwide English offered up Satan’s promise to Eve, to become like God too. Somehow that doesn’t sound right.

So I searched deep within all the related text for a deeper understanding for something that should be so obvious that translators chose not to use any other words. Therein I found one thought that I found satisfying. “The power to be distinctive.”

The idea of conformance to the image of Christ is visual. Looking like Christ is not being Christ. God is all about looking at the heart of a man, not the outward and seeming but the inward and real. In this we have to do a factual self-examination and ask if who we are as a distinctive being has changed. Not that we made a choice to act in any particular manner because it is the right, just and the moral thing to do, but because that is who we are today, a new creation.

Divine nature is not an act, or a choice, it is who we are, being distinctive and not like the worldly people we were before Christ. It is natural, not forced or a façade, it is being real.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

He has given us the power to be.

Used Candle

Isaiah 44:19 And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?

Yesterday we spoke of the candle and how nothing in Revelation 2:1-5 spoke about the candle. My first instinct is to say that the candle is not to be glorified but Romans 8 says otherwise.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Consider if you will being the wick of that candle. The wick is a vessel of transformation of wax into light. The melted wax fuels the fire and the wick gives the flame a place to shine. The wick is only noticeable as it is used. In its use it is consumed.

Psalm 102:3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.

Shall I make the residue thereof an abomination?

A candle that has been blown out, its light extinguished, leaves a black hard residue, which is unfit for use. The wick must be trimmed, restored to a suitable condition to shine brightly once again.

Exodus 30:7 And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.

Proverbs 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

When the light goes out we are exposed for what we are, unfit for use. It is only through repentance and confession that we are restored. Daily!

Consider this closely if you choose to execute God’s will. It is the order of things.