Have you been in a situation where you were upset by people, and you wished you had the power to call down fire from heaven like Elijah? I have been severally but let us see what Jesus wants from us today.
Text: II Peter 1:3-4
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: _
_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. _
Our salvation comes with undisputable realities and pieces of evidence. Among them is the fact that we are now partakers of the *divine nature* because we have escaped the corruption that is in the world.
While we were in the world (under the management of the devil), we were partakers of the adamic nature. We were living a corrupt life because the seed of God was not in us. Therefore, divine nature empowers us to live a godly life primarily.
In addition, being partakers of divine nature also gives us access to divine abilities beyond the physical realm. For example, Jesus walking on water is an expression of divine nature. Peter desired the experience, and he got it (Matt 14:22-33).
In another case, James and John urged Jesus to call fire down from heaven against those they perceived as opposition. Jesus did not grant them the desire, and he also rebuked them (Luke 9:54-55). They did not get their desire because it is not Jesus’ nature to destroy sinners. Although Samaria did not receive Jesus in Luke 9:51-55, Jesus listed the city in Acts 1:8 among the places his disciples would become witnesses.
Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Had Jesus yielded the call of the sons of Bogergus and fire destroyed the Samaritans and their city, where would the sons of Bogergus witness after they received power.
Unfortunately, we enjoy putting the secondary expression of our divine nature ahead of the primary nature. For example, when we are sick, we want to enjoy the divine nature of good health; but when we are offended, we neglect the divine nature that empowers us to forgive. Remember that the love of God is shed abroad in your heart (Romans 5:5). Do not let a simple argument with a neighbour or colleague make you hold a vigil in which you begin to curse them in the name of the Lord
There should be no differentiation between the primary benefit (godly conduct) and secondary benefit (supernatural experiences) of the divine nature. For example, if you are to share a loaf of bread with a friend after the division of the loaf, you do not ask your friend does it tastes the same. This is because you are partaking of the same loaf baked by the same baker.
If you are yet to surrender your life to Jesus, kindly tell him you want to be a partaker of divine nature in Christ Jesus. Tell the Lord to help you manifest the divine nature in meekness, love, forgiveness, truth, and humility if you are born again already.
Remember he whose nature we partook causes rain to fall on the just and unjust. It is divine nature to love the world as he did.
Had Jesus yielded the call of the sons of Bogergus and fire destroyed the Samaritans and their city, where would the sons of Bogergus witness after they received power
Can we say therefore, that the ‘fall down and die ‘ prayer should be highly discouraged in the church? Like you rightly said, brethren are focusing more on the secondary benefits than the primary benefit. When you emphasized more of the primary than the secondary, you’ll see them leaving the church for praying houses and ‘prophetic’ ministries where the latter is more pronounced.
Beautiful piece as always.
I’ve always enjoyed reading your article.
More grace
More wisdom
More anointing in Christ name amen ????