Eternal life is God’s promise (1 John
2:25), which enables us to know God intimately (John
17:3). This takes place both now and in eternity. It requires no
self-effort, just total rest in His presence (Hebrews 4:10). God’s
promises also provide pardon for sin, support in trials, the glorious
resurrection, and eventually, immortality. God’s promises encourage us to
cleanse our self of every evil desire (2 Corinthians 7:1).
When we choose not to live in God’s Will during each moment
of our day, we lose the power of Christ in us. It is only through total
surrender to His will that we accomplish all that He prepared for us to do (Ephesians
2:10). God shrouds us with His divine nature, which is the fruit
of His Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, meekness,
self-control and faith (Galatians 5:22-23).
As we mature, we increase in the measure of the fullness of
Christ (Ephesians 4:13). God disciplines us to enable us
to share in His holiness (Hebrews 12:10). This empowers us to put on our
new self, which is created to be like God in both righteousness and holiness (Ephesians
4:24). Our humanity is dead and we are hidden with Christ in God (Colossians
3:3). As we walk in God’s promises, we receive His divine nature (2 Peter
1:4).
Confidently, we cling to God’s promises in tribulation.
They are the anchor of our soul and the foundation for our hope. God keeps all
of His promises (2 Corinthians 1:20). The nation of Israel wandered
from God; yet, God is faithful and is keeping His promises to them (Zechariah
13:8-9; Romans 11:25-26). God guarantees His Body freedom from the law, sin
and death. He freely provides us with eternal life in Jesus Christ (John
3:16).
We partake in the divine nature of God through Christ who
dwells in our spirit. When we indulge in fleshly pursuits, the divine nature of
God is grieved. However, as authentic Born Again Believers, we cannot continue
to live in sin (1 John 3:9). God’s Spirit gradually makes all
things new (2 Corinthians 5:17), and we bear His image through
continual transformation (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Prayer:
Father God, Your Holy Spirit teaches us to deny unholy
conduct and lust, at the same time He encourages us to live serious, blameless
and holy lives (Titus 2:12). As we do, we inwardly partake of
Your divine nature; which causes us to refrain from outwardly partaking in sin
and degradation. Our body houses Your (1 Corinthians 6:15). We are
members of Christ’s body, flesh and bones (Ephesians 5:30; John 14: 16-17,
17:20-23). You make Your home in those who love and obey You (John
14:23).
Thought for the Day:
We are now the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be, but
when we see Him return in the clouds, we will be exactly like Him, for we shall
see Him as He is. - 1 John 3:2
