According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word Partake is defined as:

1. To take part in or experience something along with others.
2. To have a portion.
3. To possess or share a certain nature or attribute.

The power of sharing or partaking of the nature of God was illustrated by Jesus Christ using agricultural principles of grafting. In John 15:5, Jesus proclaimed Himself as the True or Faithful Vine and His followers as the branches.

“I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

Without partaking of the nature of God in Christ, spiritual fruitfulness and a life that is pleasing to God is impossible!!!

Under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, apostle Paul expounded on this teaching of Christ regarding the power of partaking. He explained God’s election of grace in the life of Abraham and his descendants. Due to His unparalleled mercy and surpassing wisdom, God extended grace and divine favor to some biblical personalities, in order, to preserve a remnant until the great work of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

“Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” Romans 11:5.

“If the first portion (of dough offered as the first fruits) is holy, so is the whole batch; and if the root (Abraham, the patriarchs) is holy, so are the branches (the Israelites).” Romans 11:16 (AMP)

“And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root, and fatness of the olive tree….” Romans 11:17.

“For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree…..” Romans 11:24.

Apostle Paul was so astonished and overwhelmed by the revelation of God’s mystery in Christ for humanity, that he burst out in exuberant praise.

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” Romans 11:33.

Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, came down from heaven to share our humanity, as the Son of man, to restore the lost glory of God in man. Sin nature is an affront to the divine and holy nature of God.

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” Rev. 22:16.

Hannah gave birth to Samuel at a dark season in the history of ancient Israel. The Bible records that at that time, “the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.” 1 Samuel 3:1.

The children of Eli succeeded him as priests over Israel in those days. But God found them to be abhorrent in His judgment. They not only treated God’s offerings with contempt but lay with women who came to the temple for worship. Their practices were so pervasive that God brought tragedy not only by orchestrating the capture of the Ark of God (indicative of His presence among His people) but both Eli and his wicked children perished in that war. The wife of Phinehas had precipitated delivery to a male child. She called him, Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!” 1 Samuel 4:21.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23-24.

“The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles (world): which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:26-27.

Manifestation of the power of the glory of God comes through a shared life of faith in Christ Jesus.

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” 1 Corinth. 2:7-8.

In the surpassing wisdom of God, His only begotten Son needed to partake of our humanity for the perfect and everlasting atonement for sin. And through faith in Christ and the promises of God in Him, humanity can partake of the divine nature of God and be restored back to the glory of ‘sonship’. In Christ, man can now bear the image of God and reflect His glory. Hallelujah!!!

“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:14-15.

“Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: ‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire. But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offering and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, Behold I have come. In the volume of the book it is written of Me: to do Your will, O God.” Hebrews 10:5-7.

“Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we should walk inn newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.” Romans 6:4-6.

“Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God: truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:22-24. (NLT)

Since partaking involves sharing a certain attribute or experiencing something together and Christ suffered in the flesh; according to this principle, man must suffer in the flesh to reap the glory of fellowship. 

 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” Matt.16:24.

The cross is symbolic of severe persecution due to the Word of God, and self-crucifixion in partnership with Christ, in order to persevere in the Will of God.

 “Come unto Me, all ye who 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.” Matt. 11:28-30. (ASV)

The invitation to a walk with Christ comes at a personal cost. Because He was severely persecuted by ignorant mankind (according to the workings of the evil one), you will be severely persecuted. You will partake of a fiery trial of your faith in Christ and His promises. But God will use this process to refine and purify you, and mold the prestigious quality of meekness in your life. On the other hand, the devil will tempt you to abandon your faith in unbelief. But the glorious Lord is asking you to ask for His grace to see you through it all. Because He overcame, you will surely overcome through His faithfulness. Hallelujah!!!

“For you have been granted (the privilege) for Christ’s sake, not only to believe and confidently trust in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, (and so you are) experiencing the same (kind of) conflict which you saw me endure, and which you hear to be mine now.” Philippians 1:29-30. (Amp)

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12-13.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work,  that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4.

“But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons………..but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.” Hebrews 12: 8-10.

“……by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” Gal. 2:20-21.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinth. 10:13.

Prayer:

Most holy and righteous Father we come to you. We thank You for Your abundant grace that has been lavished on us through Christ Jesus. We understand through the Scriptures that You will never tempt anyone, but we are tempted and drawn away by our unholy desires. It is also true that You refine and purify Your children through trials, to strengthen our faith and prove it through the wilderness experiences. We pray for anyone who is either facing major temptations or trials of faith at this time. May they lean on the overflowing grace in Jesus Christ, and overcome through the blood of the Lamb and the Word of testimony, by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen.