"Partakers of the divine nature." — 2 Peter 1:4 As the first man Adam was made in the image of God, so we, by the renewal of the Holy Spirit, are in a yet diviner sense made in the image of the Most High, and are partakers of the divine nature. We are, by grace, made like God. "God is love"; we become love—"He that loves is born of God." God is truth; we become true, and we love that which is true: God is good, and He makes us good by His grace, so that we become the pure in heart who shall see God. we become partakers of the divine nature in even a higher sense than this—in fact, in as lofty a sense as can be conceived, short of our being absolutely divine. Do we not become members of the body of the divine person of Christ? Yes, the same blood which flows in the head flows in the hand: and the same life which quickens Christ quickens His people, for "You are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." As if this were not enough, we are married to Christ. He has betrothed us to Himself in righteousness and in faithfulness, and he who is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.Marvellous mystery! we look into it, but who shall understand it? One with Jesus—so one with Him that the branch is not more one with the vine than we are a part of the Lord, our Saviour, and our Redeemer! While we rejoice in this, let us remember that those who are made partakers of the divine nature will manifest their high and holy relationship in their relationships with others, and make it evident by their daily living.

2 Peter 1:3 Connection to the vine.

2 Peter 1:4 The DNA of the vine injected into the engrafted branch.

2 Peter 1:5f Effort on our part in growing Christ like fruit.

2Pe 1:1

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:

2Pe 1:2

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

2Pe 1:3

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

2Pe 1:4

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

2Pe 1:5

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;

2Pe 1:6

and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

2Pe 1:7

and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

2Pe 1:8

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2Pe 1:9

But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

2 Peter 1:9 The unproductive branch.

Our knowledge is our connection to the Vine Jesus. The Holy Spirit is our connection to Jesus.

Fruit is grown as we become like the vine; as we are transformed by renewed minds and the divine nature within via the presence of The Holy Spirit.

ROMANS 12:1F

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is; His good, pleasing and perfect will. (Bearing God’s fruit of The Spirit rather than works of the flesh.)

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. (The proud heart that is not seen as love in 1 Cor 13.)

The fruit, or the qualities; are the reflection of Jesus in us. The fruit is the proof of the connection to the Vine.

1 John 2:3f We know we have come to know Him if we obey His commands. The man who says, “I know Him,” but does not do what He commands is a liar and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys His word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.

Knowledge the connection; fruit the reflection. As Spurgeon wrote; God is love and we become love.

Obedience, walking in the light; the fruit of a life changed by God.

They say that adopted children can look like their family members. They also say that dog’s can look like their owners. But; people can subconsciously choose a dog that resembles them. We also know that it is possible to fill a room with complete strangers and there will be some similarity found in many of them. That is why a police line up will be filled with volunteers who like each other but have never even met.

I am adopted; yet my daughter often reminds me of my cousin when she was younger. The same high cheek bones and forehead. No biological connection; yet similar in looks.

On the other hand; genetics play a big part in our personal make up; not the lip stick either. We look like our birth parents; even if we have never met them. We inherit their genes for hair colour, height and can be genetically pre-disposed to certain diseases.

When we are reborn into God’s family; When we join His family tree; we begin to become like our Spiritual parent. We are children of God and hence inheritors of His Spiritual genes.

Romans 8:12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation – but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by The Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by The Spirit of God are sons of God.

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. By Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself testifies with our Spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.

Adoption is not strong enough a word. Imagine; I could adopt a child and give them a transfusion of my DNA so that we would feel connected. God gave us His genes.

The grape is grown on the branch; because in it is the DNA of the vine. It cannot produce apples or oranges. It can only produce grapes, because it is a branch on a grape vine.

Here is where we have the problem. We are grafted branches. We were wild vines that were grafted into a good grape vine. We still have the DNA of our previous state. Through our connection to Jesus; we are reborn through The Spirit. We are children of God and are regenerated. However, we still have our old nature.

That is why Paul wrote to the Galatian Church and told them to grow spiritual fruit rather than produce works of the flesh. If we all became perfect overnight when we became Christians; why would much of the New Testament contain directions for believers to change their wrong behaviour?

We have a choice. Which nature do we feed? What type of fruit do we choose to grow?

My fruit is seed bearing fruit? The quality of the fruit dictates the type of seed. The fruit I bear, produces seed that is sewn into the lives of people around me. What type of seed am I sewing into others? What type of behaviour and attitudes will be reproduced in them?

Will my life have such a positive effect that it encourages a next generation fruit? Is there a positive ripple effect from my life into the lives of others? Gen 1:11 Or is there a negative effect?

It does bear seed. The only way not to sew negative seed is not to bear the fruit that has that seed inside.

The fruit in our lives is our behaviour and attitude. The seed we sew into the lives of others is our example. When we set the example and another copies; the seed is sewn into their life.

Fruit comes with seed inside to grow the next generation of fruit. If I am growing on my branch, fruit that is not from God; but rather my

flesh; then I am sewing that as seed in to the lives of those around me.

The words and actions that I sew into the lives of others cannot be taken back. God will forgive the deed; but the impact will be felt from the seed. The negative image I portray of Jesus to the world. The negative example I set for my kids. All will put something in the hearts and therefore actions and words of others.

Fruit is grown to provide food. Does my fruit feed others? Gen 1:29

Love is towards God and people. If I love others I am basically feeding their souls with good food.

Grapes are used to make wine. My loving actions are like wine that cheers the heart.

Poisonous fruit. Is there fruit in my life that is poisonous? Do my negative responses and actions negatively affect others in their walk with God? Do I hurt others as I act in ways that are not loving?

Food can be considered healthy and unhealthy. If the fruit in my life were to be examined by a spiritual nutritionist; would it be considered healthy? Would it be full of cancerous toxins? Would it be packed with healthy vitamins? In other words am a I the kind of person who by being involved with another person; harms them or helps them?

Poor diet affects our health. The way we treat others affects their well being.

(Note- The example I set is the seed I sew. The way I treat others is the food I feed them.)

The devil convinced Eve that bad fruit was good. Can we convince ourselves into believing that bad fruit in our lives should not be pruned out because it is actually good? Genesis 3

What are we deceiving ourselves about? What relationship? What activity? What language? What TV programme? What internet site? What bad habit or addiction?

Deep down we know that it is toxic fruit; yet we keep growing it. We are afraid to let go so we convince ourselves of a lie rather than face the painful truth. But, the truth will set you free. The truth will open your eyes to the danger you are in. The truth will give you the determination to say goodbye, farewell and no more to the bad fruit.

It is your choice. Are you willing to let God open your eyes to see what you have been hiding behind the lies? Are you willing to be honest with yourself for the first time in a long time? Are you willing like Isaiah to see the reality of your situation and ask God for His help?

Eve fell for the lies and went from innocence into sin. Every day you waste falling for the lies is another day you are hurting yourself.

Fruit was a source of temptation for Eve. What about the seductive effect you are having on others. Do your bad choices, which you try so hard to make look good; draw others into the same mistakes? You make it look like it is no bother, not harming anyone, not really a

bad idea. So others decide it would be no bother and no harm for them either. Are you drawing others into sin which will destroy them by your seductive and deceptive fruit?

Remember, even after you have realised the error of your ways; that habit will have been sewn as seed into their lives. That seed will go on to produce fruit, which in turn could sew seed into another along a never ending chain of people. We do not live in a vacuum. We affect others around us.

How many teenagers are drawn into a spiralling destructive lifestyle by peer pressure? How many young believers live a life of compromise with this world’s standards because the older Christians do it that way? How many people in your life will follow your example, not knowing that it is wrong?

The fruit of the land revealed that it would be a good place to go and live. When looking for direction in our lives, do we look at the fruit of the land? Is this a positive and fruitful direction to be heading in my life? Deut 1:25

We should look at our decisions clearly and in light of scripture. We should examine the consequences of the actions we are considering. Will this bear good fruit in my life? Will I be able to grow good fruit for God in this place? Will this change of direction in my life be fruitful for God?

Do not destroy the fruit yielding trees when besieging the land. They are a source of nourishment. Be careful who you decide to attack.

By hurting them you will be destroying the blessing that they would have brought into your life. Deut 20:19

In Pslam 1; people are compared to trees. If I attack or hurt another person; I am depriving the world of the fruit that would have been grown in their lives without my interference. Hurt the tree you harm the fruit. Hurt the person you hurt God and you attack His work in them and through them.

Psa 1:1

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers.

Psa 1:2

But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night they think about his law.

Psa 1:3

They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.

Psa 1:4

But this is not true of the wicked. They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.

Psa 1:5

They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly.

Psa 1:6

For the LORD watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

Bad fruit is bad for me. Bad fruit is bad for others. Bad fruit has inside it bad seed, which will grow bad fruit in the lives of others.

Fruit is food and seed. Make sure that both are good. God fruit; good seed and good food are all positive for me, others and God’s kingdom.

The choice is mine.

Fruit is inevitable. Fruit bears seed that will produce more fruit. Fruit can be eaten. Fruit can be deceptive. Fruit can be seductive.

What is your fruit like? What seed will be produced by it? What food will be produced by it? What is the fruit like in the land you wish to go to? What choices is your fruit inspiring in others?

Fruit- so much to think about when we say that little word.

PHILIPPIANS

1:6 Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

God the gardener will persist in tending, feeding and pruning the branches He has connected to His son. He will not give up on us. He sees the mature fruit as if it is already there; fully grown. Are we doing our part? Are we willing partners in the process? In any relationship, it takes two to make it work properly.

1:9f And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.

Love and knowledge; both key elements for the development of spiritual fruit; both mentioned here. They grow with our relationship with Jesus. The Spirit of God is The Holy Spirit; so it only follows that His fruit will be described as the fruit of righteousness.

What is the good work of God in my life? It is to produce the fruit of righteousness. Why will He not give up this work? It is because we are His children; chosen to be conformed to the image of Christ through the indwelling of The Holy Spirit. See Ephesians 1 and 2.

1:20f I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

It is no longer I who lives, but Christ Jesus lives in me. We are destined to bear fruit for Him as we are attached to Him. When we bear fruit for ourselves; our ego gets in the way. Even fruit that does not seem to be from the flesh; when it is produced for me and not Christ; it is still from the flesh. My life is hid with Christ in God. My life is His to do with as he pleases. My desires must be dead.

He is the vine, we are the branches. There must be connection for fruit to be produced. There must be fruit produced for Him if the harvest is to be righteous.

Paul was willing to give up His life. What in my life is held back? What am I putting before His harvest?

1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Live for Jesus, bear His fruit, no matter how difficult it gets. He died for us; should we not then live for Him?

2:1f -- 1 Cor 13 ; together they describe the fruit that should be revealed as we live for God. How do we live within the body and in the world? What motivates us in our actions? How much is love lived out rather than just talked about?

His fruit, so Jesus is described as our example. How can we bear His fruit if we do not try to live as He did?

Philippians 2 is what our family needs. Unity, love and peace because we all make the effort to consider the needs of others.

This can only truly happen when we all are in close relationship with Jesus and following His example.

Paul also mentions looking to our interests. We do not ignore our own needs. However we do not hurt others in the pursuit of our desires.

Peace comes at a price and it must be paid by all parties. Everyone needs to be on the same page in this process for it to work. If everyone is considering the needs of others; then all our basic needs are met. If even one person in acting selfishly; then all get hurt.

It is a case of weighing personal loses against the needs of the group and each member of the group. What am I willing to give ground on? What is so important to me that I would ask others to back down?

I need to look at my own hopes for this family and also discover on an individual level the needs of Trevor, Esther and Caleb.

I would desire peace, no swearing or arguing. I would like to see discipline, honesty and willingness to see the point of view of others.

I would like to see Trevor treating me and Esther with value. I would like Esther not to swear at me and call me names. I would like people to go to bed early and to get up from bed on time. I would like to see no laziness, deceit, emotional blackmail or dishonesty.

I wish that Trevor and Esther would not cut in on me when I am talking; ignore me and talk down to me like I am a child.

My deepest desire is to have a family that loves God deeply, so deeply that moral standards are raised and love is displayed to each other. I want to see God’s word loved, read and followed.

As for me and my house, we will serve The Lord. I want this!

“It is God who works in you to will and act according to His good purpose.” Phil 2:13

3:12f Pressing on towards the goal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Knowing that we are a work in progress, we keep aiming towards change. Hope holds on to the idea that things can change for the better. Perseverance holds on to that idea and decides to keep trying; even when hope is low.

What do we do when hope is low? Believe what we do not see or feel. Act on what God has promised. Live for God in His way in a world that has left Him out of the equation.

My cup is empty

Lord come and fill it up.

My heart is breaking

Come Lord and give me hope.

All around is chaos and trouble

seems to be the norm.

Lord be my anchor and stability

in the midst of the storm.

2 Corinthians 4

We do not lose heart because we have a ministry to fulfil.

We do not lose heart because inwardly we are being renewed.

We do not lose heart for we are connected to the divine. We have the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Partaking in the divine nature, being connected to the vine, being indwelt by The Holy Spirit are all truths that hold us together in the storm. These truths are our anchor.

Paul had real troubles to deal with; but he would not give in to fear. He decided in his heart to always love, praise, worship and serve the Living God.

Outwardly Paul was wasting away, yet inwardly being renewed. He was facing momentary troubles while waiting on eternal life with God.

Romans 8:28; all things are used by God to bring about His plans for our good; even the unpleasant times and circumstances.

Peter, look to Jesus not the storm.

For nothing around you can truly do you harm.

Know that in the momentary troubles that are seen

God hand is guiding

His heart of love providing

Keeping you from backsliding.

Look to the eternal and unseen.

Hope in the love of God

For even in the saddest story

God is working out His eternal glory

??????????????????????????????

So how do I do it? By spending time in the tent of meetings and being filled by The spirit of God who renews my mind and strengthens my heart.

Itsaiah 61, Phil 1, Exodus 33, Romans 12