It’s probably one of the most amazing, life changing truths in Scripture for me. One of those things that, every time I read it, I can’t help but pause and reflect. “Really?” I find myself asking. And the testimony of the Spirit . . . each and every time . . . with increasing intensity and conviction . . . is, “Really!”

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” (2Peter 1:3-4 ESV)

Chew on it. Called to the high lofty calling of His glory and excellence . . . graciously given everything as it relates to life-to-the-max and to godliness . . . bestowed with promises of great price and beyond full comprehension . . . all for one grand, God ordained objective. That I . . . through the ransom paid by Jesus, the Lamb of God . . . having escaped the decay of a sinful world dragging on the weakness of a sinful nature . . . that I, might become a partner, an associate, a comrade, a companion, a full participant and partaker . . . in the things of divinity . . . in the realms of deity.

Really? Yeah . . . Really!

I read earlier this morning that for anyone who thirsts and seeks Jesus to fill that need . . . who comes to Jesus and drinks of that which He offers . . . that for those people, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” What was He referring to? “Now this He said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive” (John 7:37-39). Think about it . . . not just a drop of water . . . not a covering of dew . . . but the Spirit within me as a flowing river . . . sourced in heaven itself . . . a perpetual well of life . . . and all that in my heart! Really? I’m thinkin’!

Sometimes I think it’s good to just stop and take inventory. Not about what I have or what I’ve done . . . but about what He has given and what, by the grace of God, I can be. Able to participate in the divine nature . . . possessing all the tools . . . having the best of Instructors . . . why would I not pursue it? As the slogan says, why would I not want to be all that I can be?

And so, Peter says, “make every effort to supplement your faith . . . ” (1:5). I can’t add to the work of salvation — there’s nothing to be added to the finished work of Christ . . . but I certainly have a part in the work of sanctification. Given all the tools and abilities to participate in the things of deity, God has begun a work to conform me to the image of His blessed Son (Rom. 8:29) . . . He has engaged me in the process of transformation through the renewing of my mind that I might know the ways of God . . . “that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:2 NKJV). Mine is to get on board . . . mine is to put in a bit of elbow grease in cooperation with the work God has begun in me . . . to add to my faith . . . virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, love (1:5-7).

Jesus cries out, “Come drink of Me and let the living water of flow!” Peter cries out, “Make every effort and partake in the things of God!” The exhortation is clear . . . build on the faith graced to You by the One who died for You, who bought You . . . and sought You . . . and brought You into His forever family.

“Therefore, brothers [and sisters], be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.” (2Peter 1:10 ESV)

Really? Yeah . . . Really!