Rom 1:20 (ESV) For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Rom 8:9 (ESV) You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
Gal 2:20 (KJV) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
2Pe 1:4 (ESV) 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.
So, how can you know whether or not you are partaking of the divine nature? As Peter continued writing, he identified some traits of divine nature. If you recognize any of these in yourself, then you have, in some measure, the divine nature.
:5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement (go on growing in) your faith with
virtue, (integrity, moral character, goodness*) and virtue with
knowledge, (a quiet mind, understanding,) :6 and knowledge with
self-control, (abstinence, temperance,) and self-control with
steadfastness, (patience, endurance,) and steadfastness with
godliness, (fear of God, devotion to God, Godly devotion,) :7 and godliness with
brotherly affection, (brotherly kindness, brotherly love, love of brother, concern for others,) and brotherly affection with
love, (charity, love itself, unselfish love.)
:8 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.
My brother or sister, to the measure you have any of these qualities, you already are one with our Father, and are partaking of His divine nature.
Now, let’s look at Peter’s words again:
1 Pet 1:5-8
By contributing all earnest effort, (make every effort, make it your whole concern, do your best) to supply to your
FAITH
VIRTUE
(resolution, goodness, moral character, manliness, moral excellence, noble character)
KNOWLEDGE
(know Jesus and God intimately – Jn 17:3)
SELF-CONTROL
(temperance, self-restraint)
ENDURANCE
(patience, steadfastness, fortitude, perseverance, patient endurance)
GODLY DEVOTION
(piety, devotion to God, fear of God)
BROTHERLY AFFECTION
(brotherly kindness, love of the brethren, a spirit of brotherhood)
LOVE
(Christian love, love itself, universal love)
* All the parenthetical words and phrases are the way other translations and versions have rendered the primary word or phrase.
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