Partakers of the Divine Nature

May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:2-11)

There's the text. So, what do we learn?

The Goal

What is the end game, the target, the direction we're heading? "There will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Oh, that's good ... really good. We want that. Nothing could be better. But there is more. That's in the future. Here's in the present: to "keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful." Yes, very good. The future and the present are covered here. So, how does this passage indicate that we go about obtaining fruitfulness and effectiveness now and an entrance into the kingdom at the end?

The Premise

The premise of the entire text is God granting grace and peace through knowledge of Him. This is a simple thing, apparently, since "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him." Now, pause and think about that for a moment. "This Christian living thing is tough," I hear people say. "How can I do it?" I admit that it's tough, but this text does not say "My God will provide." It says, "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness." That's a past tense "grant" and an all-encompassing "grant". Nothing left. Everything you need pertaining to life and godliness is already available. But wait! Notice the source. This comes "through the knowledge of Him who called us." All that we need is provided by knowing Him. On this basis we escape the corruption from sin in the world and ... hang on to your hat ... "become partakers of the divine nature." So, this is big ... really big.

The Process

Okay, so we know where we're going -- effectiveness now and entrance into the kingdom later -- and we know the basis. So, what do we do?

First and foremost, we do not become "little gods" as some have taught. We do not become partakers of the divine essence, but the divine nature. That is, we take on characteristics that belong to God. And, when seen in that light, it isn't a difficult question. That would be virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. You know, like the list says.

But ... how?

Peter says to "make every effort." The KJV says "diligence". The idea is make it your destination, your life's work. This isn't a side project. You start with faith. Got it. Now ... work. Add some virtue. Got it? Now add some knowledge. Mind you, we're not talking perfect or complete knowledge. And there is a sense in which it isn't "head knowledge" either, but, rather, an intimacy with God. Some. Now that you have some virtue and knowledge, add in some self-control. Work on it a little longer (steadfastness). Tune yourself a bit more toward godliness. Now add in some brotherly kindness. The layer over the top will be love. Really, not much. And even that won't be easy. Be diligent.

And then, do it again. "For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." And again. And again. We talk of the Christian life as a "walk". Do you know what a walk is? It's a step ... repeated over and over again.

Of course, it's not as if you're expected to do this on your own. You know, muster up the will and power to carry it out. Remember, "It is God who is at work in you both to will and to do His good pleasure." (Phil 2:13) Another way in which we are partakers of the divine nature. You remember. The Spirit is at work in all believers, and in that sense also we are partakers.

So, knowing that you are already equipped for this, you can do this. You can "be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election." If you do it, "you will never fall." Step by step, over and over, ever increasing. Partakers of the divine nature.