“For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” (2 Peter 1:4 NASB1995)

We live in a present age, at least here in the USA, we do, when so much of what is called “the church” is disregarding the teachings of Jesus Christ and of his New Testament apostles, and they are teaching an altered “gospel” designed to appease and to appeal to the lusts of the flesh. They are not teaching the critical nature of dying to sin and walking in obedience to our Lord’s commands, but they are teaching a “cheap grace gospel” which caters to the flesh, and which permits the sinners to keep on in their habitual sin.

And they call that “God’s grace.” But God’s grace, which is bringing us salvation, is training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives while we wait for our Lord’s return. But is God’s grace forgiveness of sins? Yes! But provided that the sinners have renounced their lives of living in sin to now walk with God in obedience to his commands. And this doesn’t mean we will be perfect (1 John 2:1-2) but that sin must no longer be our practice, but obedience.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:1-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Acts 26:18]

Near the Cross

Hymn lyrics by Fanny J. Crosby, 1869
Music by William H. Doane, 1869

Jesus, keep me near the cross;
There a precious fountain,
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o’er me.

Near the cross I’ll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand
Just beyond the river.

In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever,
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

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Partakers of The Divine Nature
An Original Work / March 12, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love