“Established in the Truth”
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UNITED APOSTOLIC CHURCH
ESTABLISHED IN THE TRUTH
Lesson 2: “Partakers of His Divine Nature”
October 6 & 13, 2026
Text: 2 Peter 1:1–11
Introduction
We are continuing our Bible Study series titled “Established in the Truth.” This series is a study through 2 Peter designed to strengthen believers in four critical areas: spiritual formation, biblical foundation, spiritual discernment, and eternal readiness.
Have you ever struggled with a task, only to realize you already had the tool needed to complete it? The problem was not that the resource was unavailable—it had simply not been recognized or used.
Many believers approach spiritual growth the same way. We desire to overcome sin, develop godly character, and become more like Christ, yet sometimes act as though God has commanded us to change without providing what we need.
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness…”
2 Peter 1:3
God has already provided everything necessary for spiritual life and godliness. Yet His provision does not remove our responsibility. We cannot transform ourselves without God’s power, nor can we remain passive and expect spiritual maturity to happen automatically.
God supplies the power, and the believer responds with diligence.
Everything Necessary Has Been Provided
Peter now makes this extraordinary statement:
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness…”
2 Peter 1:3
Notice Three Important Truths
1. The Source Is Divine Power
Spiritual transformation does not begin with human strength. It begins with God’s divine power. Christianity is not simply an attempt to become a better person through determination. God works in the believer. The Holy Spirit enables what human effort alone cannot accomplish.
This protects us from two errors:
Error 1: “I can change myself without God.”
This is the error of self-sufficiency. It says: “If I try hard enough, discipline myself enough, and commit myself enough—I can become the person I ought to be.”
But Peter’s language destroys that assumption. He does not say: “According as your determination and effort have produced all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” He says: “According as His divine power hath given…”
The source is God. The power is His. Human willpower can modify behavior. However, it cannot transform the heart.
Outward change without inward transformation is not what Peter is describing. What God produces through His divine power is a change in what we love, what we desire, and what we become—not merely what we do.
Error 2: “God will do everything, so I have no responsibility.”
This is the error of passivity. It says: “God is sovereign. God is all-powerful. God will produce whatever He wants in my life. I simply need to wait.”
It sounds humble. It even sounds spiritual. But Peter will not allow it.
“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue…”
2 Peter 1:5
The phrase “giving all diligence” is not a suggestion. It is a command—and it is urgent.
God has provided everything we need. Now give it your all. The Christian life is not passive waiting for God to do something. Spiritual growth requires our active response to God’s gracious work within us.
God supplies the power, and the believer supplies the diligence.
A farmer does not make the rain fall or the sun shine. But he must still plow the field, plant the seed, and tend the crop. Likewise, the believer does not produce spiritual transformation—but he must pursue it with everything he has.
God’s grace is not a reason for laziness. It is the very foundation that makes diligence possible.
2. The Scope Is Comprehensive
Peter does not say God has given some things. He does not say most things. He says all things—every resource necessary for life and godliness has already been placed within reach of the believer.
God has never called anyone to a standard He refused to supply. He does not set the bar and then withhold the means to reach it.
Every believer—regardless of background, weakness, or history—has full access to what is needed to grow, resist sin, and increasingly reflect Christ’s character.
3. The Supply Has Already Been Given
Notice the tense of the verb: “hath given.” Not will give—hath given. Past tense. Completed action.
The provision is not pending; it has already been made. The believer comes to God already fully provided for, not waiting to receive what they need.
Practical implication:
If God has already provided everything we need, we must ask whether we are faithfully using what He has supplied.
Using What God Has Provided
Peter’s statement is not merely theological; it is intensely practical. God’s provision includes:
- His Spirit to empower us
- His Word to guide us
- His grace to strengthen us
- His promises to encourage us
- His church and spiritual leadership to support and instruct us
- Prayer through which we seek Him
- Fellowship that strengthens us
The issue is not whether God has supplied enough.
The question is:
“Am I faithfully using what God has supplied?”
Having a spiritual resource does not mean we are benefiting from it. God gives us His Word, but we must study and obey it. He gives us grace, but we must respond to it. He gives us the Spirit, but we must walk in the Spirit. He places us in the body of Christ, but we must participate in its fellowship.
Spiritual growth occurs as we recognize, receive, and faithfully use what God has placed within our reach.
“Called to Glory and Virtue”
“…through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.”
2 Peter 1:3
Once again, Peter connects spiritual growth with knowing Jesus Christ. Everything necessary for life and godliness comes through an increasing personal knowledge of Him.
Christianity is not merely knowing facts about Jesus; it is knowing Him, walking with Him, and allowing that relationship to transform us.
But Peter also reveals something important about God’s call: God did not merely call us out of something; He called us into something.
What God Saved Us From
- Sin
- Condemnation
- Bondage
- Spiritual darkness
- Eternal destruction
What God Saved Us For
God has called us into a new life characterized by glory and virtue. His glory reveals the excellence of who He is, and virtue speaks of moral excellence—a life that increasingly reflects His character.
Salvation is more than deliverance from our former condition.
It is an invitation to become what God intended us to be.
God brings us out of darkness so that we may walk in His light. He frees us from the dominion of sin so that we may live in holiness. He delivers us from our former way of life so that His character may be formed within us.
Salvation does not merely change our destination; it begins changing our character.
God is not only preparing a place for us—He is preparing us for that place.
Activity: Am I Drawing Upon What God Has Given?
The question is not: Will God supply what I need?
He already has.
The question is: Am I drawing upon what He has already given?
Instructions: Review the spiritual resources below. For each one, place a check beside the statement that best describes you.
| Spiritual Resource | I use it consistently | I use it occasionally | I rarely use it | I need to begin using it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prayer | ||||
| The Word of God | ||||
| The Holy Ghost | ||||
| God’s promises | ||||
| Fellowship with believers | ||||
| God-given gifts and abilities | ||||
| Past spiritual experiences and lessons |
Personal Reflection
1. Which spiritual resource am I using most consistently?
2. Which resource has God provided that I am neglecting?
3. What present struggle could be addressed by using what God has already given me?
4. What practical action will I take this week to draw upon that resource?
Group Discussion
Members will be invited to share:
- One resource they have not been using fully.
- One practical change they will make this week.
ESTABLISHED IN THE TRUTH
Partakers of His Divine Nature
God has provided everything necessary for life and godliness.
Recognize it. Receive it. Use it. Grow in Him.
United Apostolic Church
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