Focus: Our Spiritual DNA

Text: 2Pet.1:4

"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."

Peter tells us that believers in Christ are partakers of the divine nature. We carry within us in our human nature the divine nature. Embedded within the believer in Christ is the divine DNA. Divinity is part of our nature. We can boldly say that we are divine. Our humanity and divinity are fused into one. We do not lose our humanity because we are divine, nor do we lose our divinity because we are human. We are simply integrated beings.

Divinity is not the same thing as deity. We are not God because we are divine. God is divine, but much more than just being divine, He is God. Angels are divine, but they are not God. Satan is divine, but he is not God. There can never be two Gods in this universe. God alone is God. He is God all by Himself. He has no rival.

Our divinity is a mark of honor. Grace has honored us with divinity and in our divinity lies our dignity. Peter says that by the abundant mercy of God we were begotten again. John says that the seed of God abides in us, and that's our spiritual DNA. John says that we are begotten of God, and the wicked one cannot touch us. In Hebrews we read, "Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands" (Heb.2:7). 

God has given us the highest position of honor among all that He has created. Among all that God has made we are unique. We are peculiar both by creation and redemption.

Apart from being partakers of the divine nature we are also partakers of others things. Paul writes, "For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things…" (Rom.15:27). We have been made partakers of the spiritual heritage of Israel. We share in their commonwealth. Paul states, "That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel" (Eph.3:6). We are partakers of every promise of God in Christ. Paul declares, "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light" (Col.1:12). We all partake of God's inheritance - inheritance reserved for all the saints. Paul also tells us that we are partakers of the benefit (1Tim.6:12). In the book of Hebrews we are informed that we are partakers of the heavenly calling, partakers of Christ, partakers of the Holy Spirit, partakers of divine discipline, and partakers of God's holiness. The author of Hebrews says, "For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness" (Heb.12:10; 3:1,14; 6:4; 12:8). Paul writes that "we are all partakers of that one bread… partakers of the Lord's table" (1Cor.10:17,21). We have a place at the table of Christ.

Finally, Paul says, "And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation" (2Cor.1:7). Peter adds, "But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy" (1Pet.4:13). Christ creates crisis for us in this world, but in the end we will rejoice in glory, and as Paul says, "If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him."

We will forever cherish our spiritual DNA, and in this world we shall, on account of our divine DNA, triumph over all of Satan's onslaught and the world's troubles. John says, "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (1Jh.5:4). Our faith in Christ strives and thrives. It's ever winning, and never waning. Our spiritual DNA makes us invincible.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter