Connecting Spirit to Spirit

Divine Nature

This week’s topic in sacrament was Divine Nature. In my search for understanding I was led to the Second book of Peter in the New Testament. This book contains the words that Peter felt he needed to say before he died. In chapter 1 verses 14-15 he states, "Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle... Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance." This is the message that Peter thought most important to leave the world before he left it. Knowing this makes me realize that I should probably pay attention to what he is saying.

In the first chapter he will cover spiritual maturity; in the second, a warning against false teachers; and in the third, the promise of Jesus' return. I find it interesting that Peter chooses to talk about the importance of Christian maturity and growth first.

This prompted me to think about where I stand in spiritual maturity.  If you had to rate yourself on a scale from 1-10, 1 being a "spiritual simpleton" and 10 being a "spiritual scholar"...how would you rate yourself?

At first, I put myself somewhere in the middle around a 5, but after I started digging into this topic I started to feel more like I was in the 3 or 4 area. The Lord has a way of keeping me humble! 

So what does Peter have to say about divine nature that he wants us to remember? 

"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) 

Are you aware that you can partake (participate, take part in, enjoy) of the divine nature? I never really thought of myself as a participant in the divine nature. But here it is in the Bible, and it is thought provoking.

In the Young Woman's Personal Progress booklet of the Church we are given this little tidbit of information about divine nature:

"I have inherited divine qualities..." If we inherit or are given divine qualities then what are we partaking of? We are taught that we are spirit children of heavenly parents (Romans 8:16) and as such, we have within us some of their divine qualities. We are spiritual beings living in mortal bodies (1 Cor 3:16-17). Is inheriting the same as partaking? Peter's wording doesn't say that we are automatically "partakers", he says "that by these ye might be partakers."

The statement from the Young Woman's Personal Progress book continues with, "...which I will strive to develop." Okay, here is something we can participate in, take part in, and enjoy; improving on the qualities we have been given. Is that what Peter meant in his statement? Is that what it means to be a "partaker"?

Let's go back to verse 4. Peter said that we are "partakers of the divine nature" when we "escape the corruption that is in the world through lust." President David O. McKay said it means "to rise above the temporal, the sensual, and partake of the divine Spirit of God." (CR, Oct. 1961, p. 90.)

Well there is a connection that I hadn't made in the past; divine nature and the Spirit of God (the Holy Ghost). How does my divine nature improve when I am a partaker of the Spirit of God? What happens when I allow my spirit to connect with God's Spirit?

Peter tells us that we escape worldliness (2 Peter 1:4), but there is so much more that happens. The scriptures tell us that when we partake of the Spirit of God we can be blessed with wisdom, understanding, knowledge (Ex 31:3), given the gift of prophecy (1 Sam 10:10), know the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16), have discernment (Moses 1:27), and freedom (Alma 61:15). Spiritual gifts are given to us through the Spirit of God (1 Cor 12:8-11), gifts that we need to complete the tasks that God has asked us to do. Partaking of the divine nature means tapping into the ultimate power source!

Are you seeing a pattern here? We become more Christ-like when we partake of the Spirit. Everything about us gets better and who wouldn't want that? The scriptures tell us that even our countenance will change when we allow our divine nature to grow (Alma 5:14). That's right, we even look better when we partake of the Spirit!

This partaking of God's divine nature through spirit to spirit communication makes perfect sense to me.  I think it goes along with what Peter is saying in this chapter:

"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:" (2 Pet 1:10)

What great promises Peter gives us: escaping corruption, the ability to have God work through us, and the assurance that we won't fall away from God.  What more could we ask for!

I have a new found appreciation for that part of me that is divine and a heart filled with gratitude for a God that would allow me to tap into His divine nature to improve myself in such a personal way, Spirit to Spirit.  The best part of me connecting with a part of Him!

Once again His love for me overwhelms me and His greatness humbles me. Peter was a wise man, these are truly things to remember.