Question 1: What does it mean to have "divinity in Christ," and is it the same as being God?
Question 2: Where does the Bible say we get the ability to live a truly holy life?
Question 3: What is the highest standard of love and behavior the New Covenant expects from us?
Hey disciples of Almighty! Last time, we talked about how God the Father is the one, supreme God. So, what does it mean when we talk about divinity in Christ for us, regular people?
It does not mean you become a god as in equal to the Father. It means you get a very special, holy kind of behavior and life that only comes from God's power flowing into you!
It's about getting God's help to live an impossible standard.
What is This "Divinity" (Holy Power)?
Think of divinity not as a title, but as a unique, holy quality or behavior that reflects God's own nature.
The New Covenant says we are called to share in this divine nature. But how? Only through God's power working in us!
The Bible is clear: this ability to live a holy life comes only from God's help.
"as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue..." (2 Peter 1:3, NKJV).
This verse says God's divine power is what gives us everything we need for a good, godly life. We can't do it on our own! It's a gift that helps us achieve something incredible:
"...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 1:4, NKJV).
Being a "partaker of the divine nature" means getting to share in God’s special holiness, purity, and power. It's like having a special spiritual energy drink that helps you run a marathon you couldn't run before!
Question 4: What two things does 2 Peter 1:3 say God's divine power gives us?
The Exceptional Standards of the New Covenant
Because we are promised this divine help, the standards for how we live are incredibly high—much higher than just following a set of rules. This is the unique holy behavior that Christ exemplified and now expects from us.
Example 1: Love Your Enemies
The Old Covenant required "an eye for an eye," which was about fairness. The New Covenant raises the bar to an exceptional standard, and includes this:
"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you..." (Matthew 5:44, NKJV).
This kind of selfless love is not normal human behavior! It is a divine kind of love (often called agape) that only the Holy Spirit can produce in you.
It's an example of that "partaker of the divine nature" behavior.
Example 2: Complete Purity
Jesus taught that bad behavior starts in the heart and mind, not just with the action:
"But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust (have improper sexual desire) for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:28, NKJV).
This level of inner purity—controlling your thoughts and desires to avoid excessive selfish, and deviant, sexual acts—requires a supernatural level of self-control, a clear demonstration of God's power working inside you.
Question 5: What famous New Covenant teaching illustrates the highest standard of love?
The Parable of the Diamond and the Rough Stone
Imagine two stones. One is a rough, ordinary rock (that’s us without God's help). It can only be used for a simple wall. The other stone is a brilliant diamond (that’s the standard of Christ).
A rough rock can only be polished so much by human effort (trying to be good on our own). It will still be a rock.
But the Christian life is like this: God takes that rough stone and, through His divine power, He doesn't just polish it; He transforms its very structure into something else—something with the clarity, strength, and fire of a diamond.
This transformation—this having divinity in Christ—is the change from a simple, flawed rock into a glorious, pure diamond. In God's final work it is flawless by His judgement. You didn't become a diamond by trying harder; the Divine power of God made you one!
Summary: It's All God's Work!
Remember, our goal is to live for God and demonstrate to the world the unique, holy, loving, and pure life that comes only from being connected to Jesus. It is an exceptional standard that exhibits God's power. Divinity means:
You are not God.
You are a partaker of the divine nature—you share in the unique holiness that God empowers, just as our Messiah did!
This power comes through His —the Father's— divine power (2 Peter 1:3).
Live knowing that you have access to this amazing power to truly love your enemies and be pure in your heart!
The exceptional results achieved by partaking in Christ's divine nature are not merely spiritual feelings; the New Testament explicitly lists tangible benefits and rewards, assuring believers that their struggle for holiness is not in vain.
Here are key NKJV scriptures describing the benefits and results of achieving the exceptional New Covenant standards:
I. Benefits in the Present Life (Eternal Life Now)
The results of walking in God's divine power begin immediately, offering confidence, rest, and escape from the world's corruption that prematurely destroys life quality.
Peace and Eternal Life:
Achieving righteousness results in the assurance of salvation and a peaceful relationship with God.
> “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2, NKJV).
Escape from Corruption:
The act of becoming a "partaker of the divine nature" is itself the benefit of being separated from the world's moral decay.
> "...that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:4, NKJV)
Abundant Provision and Fruitfulness:
The divine nature provides everything needed for a godly life, leading to spiritual growth and effectiveness.
> "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23, NKJV).
II. Benefits at Christ's Return (The Ultimate Reward)
The New Covenant calls these holy actions a "race" and a "fight" that lead to an ultimate, glorious reward upon Christ's return.
* Crown of Righteousness:
The exceptional effort put into living a holy life earns a unique reward at the Second Coming.
> "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8, NKJV)
* The Inheritance and Kingdom:
Those who achieve the standard of holiness will not only enter the Kingdom but also receive a full inheritance as God's children.
> “Do not be deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, NKJV). (This lists the actions that disqualify a person, thereby showing that the opposite actions are required to receive the inheritance).
* Eternal Glory and Immortality:
The ultimate benefit is achieving a state of eternal, sinless perfection when Christ returns.
> "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52, NKJV).
These Scriptures affirm that the holy behavior enabled by Christ's divine power leads to tangible rewards, assurance in the present, and eternal glory in the future.
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