This morning we learned about our identity as people invited to share in God’s nature (see 2 Pet 1:1-9). To partake in the divine nature seems fanciful and impossible, but Peter is adamant that God’s divine power enables us to do this. Human nature outside of Christ is doomed to sin and failure (see Eph 2:1-3). We are cut off from God (Eph 2:12) and we are slaves to sin (Rom 7:14), but Christ is the second Adam, the one who brings righteousness to us (see Rom 5:15-17). God has done all that is necessary for us to be reconciled to Him and our part is to receive the free gifts He offers us.
To receive God’s promises, we must believe in the One He sent and accept all He offers us, just as Mephibosheth (Saul’s son) was welcomed into the king’s palace to share in David’s wealth (see 2 Samuel 9.) Our new identity means we are being shaped to be like God (which Peter expands on in 2 Pet 1:5-8). God’s Spirit, living in us, produces the fruit of the Spirit, characteristics which reflect God’s own nature. (Gal 5:22-23)
Peter’s challenge for us all is to live with a true appreciation of all God has done for us and a forward-looking attitude which does not forget what we used to be but also understands who we are now by God’s grace. We have full access to God’s promises, power and potential; we do not have to remain nearsighted and blind, forgetting that we have been cleansed from our past sins. God has given us everything we need to live a godly life as we dwell in Him.