PARTAKER

Gary Giddings, Broken Arrow, OK

What does it mean to be a partaker of our Lord Jesus Christ? At a basic level, to partake means “to take part” or “to participate.” We have been called “to take part” of God’s wonderful salvation. We were sinners on our way to destruction, to an existence forever separated from God. But God gave us ETERNAL LIFE through Jesus Christ the Son. We are invited “to take part” in God’s plan of salvation. This is not forced upon us but God, in His love, reached out to us that we may “participate” with Him. 

2 Peter 1:1-4, “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 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.”

What promises have been given to us that are “exceeding great and precious?” Here is just a sample:

Matthew 11:28-30, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

John 6:37, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

John 11:25-26, “Jesus said … I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die …”

Think of it: we can have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with God our Creator. When we come to Jesus, we are given REST and ETERNAL LIFE! Because of Jesus, we are now “partakers of the divine nature.” Instead of having to PART ways with our Creator, we have this wonderful opportunity to PARTAKE of Him. What God offers to us is not a fantasy by which we try to feel better about ourselves. No, we interact with Him in a continual relationship. This is the basis of our love, joy, and peace.

From the Strong’s Concordance, “partaker” comes from the Greek word koinonos (#2844), and it means “a sharer, i.e. associate.” This Greek word is also translated elsewhere as “companion,” “partner” and “fellowship.” When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are NEVER ALONE, no matter what our feelings tell us. He is our companion and our partner. Jesus rescued us and delivered us from our old, dark ways so that we may walk in the Light. Jesus is real and we learn to walk with Him. We don’t have to follow the corruption of the world because God has “called us to glory and virtue.” As we fellowship with Jesus, we become more like Him. 

The Apostle Paul tells us that “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). When we accepted Jesus as our Savior, we became a New Creation. This is so amazing that we can associate with Jesus in this way. This is our identity now and forever! Colossians 1:12-14, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”

The Greek word for “partaker” in this verse is meris (#3310) and it has the thought of “portion” or “participation.” We have been delivered from the power of darkness and we have been given a generous “portion” of God’s blessings. We “participate” in our inheritance by letting Christ live in us now. We don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to know and enjoy God’s blessings. We have been redeemed and forgiven; we have been set FREE to serve and to worship Jesus our Savior and Lord.

We grieve for those who reject God’s invitation to be partakers of His divine nature. Without partaking of Him and His holiness, all people everywhere are under the power of darkness. But when anyone turns to Jesus, they become “partakers of the divine nature.” What a blessing!

Luke 10:38-42, “Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part [meris, 3310], which shall not be taken away from her.”

Martha was hard at work to show hospitality while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to His words. Sometimes we wonder if we’re doing the right thing. Jesus tells us what part (“portion” or “participation”) is right. We need the WORD OF GOD on a continual basis. As Job said, “Neither have I gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). Also, from the Psalms, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).

An old Christian song says, “The world didn’t give it to me and the world can’t take it away.” It is the Life of Christ that makes life worth living. Another Christian song says, “I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.” We have a hope far beyond this world: our hope is based on our Savior Jesus Christ who is at the right hand of God. May we always be in the Word of God, daily partaking of the divine nature. And in prayer, we cast our cares upon Him for He cares for us!

“Sitting at the Feet of Jesus” (G&G song, verse 1)

Sitting at the feet of Jesus, O what words I hear Him say!

Happy place, so near, so precious! May it find me there each day; Sitting at the feet of Jesus, I would look upon the past; For His love has been so gracious, It has won my heart at last.