“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.” II Pet. 1:4 (ESV) This is one of the most astonishing verses in the Bible and has been one of the cornerstones of spiritual growth since the earliest centuries of Christianity. The Greek-speaking fathers of the Church were devoted to the idea that we could regain the original image of God because we can actually participate in God’s nature now.
God promises that we are forgiven, that we are united with Christ, that the Holy Spirit works to purify us and that we will be citizens of the New Earth in the next age. As we live according to these truths we mature, which means we are actually acquiring the traits of God’s divine nature (without becoming divine ourselves). We are growing in love, peace, holiness and humility. It is very encouraging to remind ourselves that we are regaining our image of God and will one day fully partake of God’s nature and become perfected.
How much do you value your growth in the virtues that flow from God’s nature? How much does your past growth encourage you? How much do you look forward to more growth in God’s virtues?
