by Prisca | 1 October 2023 08:46 pm10
(1 Peter 1:3–4, 2 Peter 1:3–4)
2 Peter 1:3–4 (NIV)
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
Divinity refers to the state of being like God or possessing God’s nature. It means to reflect God’s character in thought, behavior, and action. Just as evil actions (like murder, witchcraft, or sexual immorality) are rightly described as “demonic” or “satanic” because they reflect the works of Satan, godly actions such as love, holiness, and righteousness reflect divine character.
To possess divinity is not to become God, but to partake in God’s nature through regeneration (new birth) and sanctification. This divine nature is only found in those who have been born again by the Spirit of God (John 3:3–6).
John 10:28 (NIV)
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
John 10:34 (NIV)
“Jesus answered them, ‘Is it not written in your Law, “I have said you are ‘gods’”?’”
God grants eternal life (Greek: Zoe) to those who believe in Him. This is not merely life that lasts forever, but a quality of life that flows from God Himself. Those born of God receive this divine life, while those who remain in the flesh (natural, unsaved state) remain spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1).
Jesus quoted Psalm 82:6 in John 10:34 to show that those who are united with God in purpose and authority can be called “gods” in the sense of being His representatives though always subordinate to Him.
Galatians 5:22–25 (NIV)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
The divine nature is expressed in the life of the believer through the Fruit of the Spirit. These are not just moral behaviors they are the supernatural result of the Holy Spirit working in us.
Unlike the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19–21), these traits come from a transformed heart. They cannot be manufactured by mere human effort or religious performance.
Romans 5:5 (NIV)
“…because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
This fruit reveals the indwelling presence of God Himself.
1 John 3:9 (NIV)
“No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.”
1 Peter 4:4 (NIV)
“They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.”
Those who have God’s nature are not slaves to sin. While believers are not sinless (1 John 1:8), the direction of their life is away from sin and toward righteousness. The “seed” of God (Greek: sperma) remains in them referring to the life-giving Word of God and the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.
This transformation causes the world to view believers as strange or different, because they no longer conform to sinful lifestyles. This is sanctification the ongoing process of being made holy, as God is holy (1 Peter 1:15–16).
Acts 17:29 (NIV)
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone an image made by human design and skill.”
Paul affirms that humans were created to reflect God’s image, not to worship man-made images. Those who are His “offspring” share in His moral likeness.
Romans 1:20 (NIV)
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
God’s nature is visible in creation and fully revealed in Christ, who is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).
Through Christ, believers partake in this divine nature.
To walk in divinity is to share in God’s life, character, and victory. It’s not about becoming divine in essence, but about reflecting God’s holiness, power, and love through Christ.
Only those who are born again transformed by the Word and Spirit of God can truly possess and live out the divine nature.
May the Lord bless you and help you grow in His divine nature, that your life would reflect His glory in the world.
Amen.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2023/10/01/what-is-divinity/
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