TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE

"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." 2 Peter 1:4

​​Memorize this verse: (Cover the verse text and using just the first letters of each word try to recite the entire passage.)
4. W A G U U E G A P P T B T Y M B P O T D N H E T C T I I T W T L

Notes on this verse: 

“Great and precious promises”: That is, the promises of abundant and eternal life.

“Partakers of the divine nature”: This expression is not different from the concepts of being born again, born from above (John 3:3; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23), being in Christ (Rom. 8:1), or being the home of the Trinity (John 14:17-23). The precious promises of salvation result in becoming God’s children in the present age (John 1:2; Rom. 8:9; Gal. 2:20; Col. 1:27), and thereby sharing in God’s nature by the possession of His eternal life.

Christians do not become little gods, but they are “new creatures” (2 Cor. 5:17), and have the Holy Spirit living in them (1 Cor. 6: 19-20). Moreover, believers will partake of the divine nature in a greater way when they bear a glorified body like Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:20-21; 1 John 3:1-3).

“Escaped the corruption”: The word “corruption” has the idea of something decomposing or decaying. “Escaped” depicts a successful flight from danger. At the time of salvation, the believer escapes from the power which the rottenness in the world has over him through his fallen, sinful nature.

The promises God made to Abraham are for all who believe in Jesus.

Galatians 3:29 “And if ye [be] Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

It is our faith in Christ that makes us heirs along with faithful Abraham. Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto Him as righteousness. We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and we are clothed in His righteousness. The entire New Testament is a list of the promises made to the believer. To inherit the promises, we must prove we are sons of God.

Christians are followers of, and believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to become Christ-like. We, in fact, must let Christ live in us and through us. We are His hands upon this earth. When we get to heaven, we will be like Him.

1 John 3:2 “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

This Scripture just means that we will take on His nature (in our spiritual body). We have crucified our flesh and the lusts of the flesh, and have taken on Christ.

Galatians 2:20 “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.”

TODAY'S BIBLE READING 

​January 23

Old Testament
Genesis 48  —  6.5 minutes
Psalms 22:1-11  —  2.0 minutes

New Testament
Matthew 9:14-26  —  3.5 minutes
Acts 13:26-52  —  6.5 minutes

Total Average Read Time — 18.5 minutes