Walking In Truth - Daily Biblical study of the Word from a Truth perspective.

I Am A Partaker Of...

"We must dare to be peculiar." - J.C. Ryle

The Scriptures emphasize that we are "partakers."

Colossians 1:12 - We are "partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." The privileges of Christianity are oftentimes represented by such terminology as "inheritance" and heirship. Therefore, all those who have truly repented of their sins and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation from sin are entitled to or made "partakers" of all of the many blessings of the kingdom of God.

Hebrews 3:1 - As Christians, we are "partakers of the heavenly calling." The Spirit of Grace operates in our lives, continually drawing us away from the darkness of this world to live and abide in the realm of God's marvellous light. More and more, our thoughts are centered on the Lord Jesus and drawn from this world - its cares and pleasures.

Hebrews 3:14 - We are "partakers of Christ." We are spiritually united to Him, partaking of all that pertains to Him - His life, nature, Spirit, righteousness, and graces. We share the same feelings, affections, interests, and principles with Him.

Hebrews 6:4 - We are "partakers of the Holy Ghost." The Spirit of God's influence on our lives

enables us to operate in the supernatural - ministering in extraordinary and miraculous gifts along with casting out devils in Jesus' Name.

Hebrews 12:8 - All who are the true children of God will meet with discipline and chastisement from their Heavenly Father - "But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers." Wherever and whenever needed, He will correct faults and rebuke any backslidings.

Hebrews 12:10 - His correction comes for the sole purpose that we would be "partakers of His holiness." He desires that we be holy as He is holy. He molds and shapes us after His own image, correcting any sinful habits and improving any godly ones by His wonderful grace.

2 Peter 1:4 - Through His "exceeding great and precious promises," we are made "partakers of the divine nature." We once had a sinful nature, whereby we lived according to the corruptions that are in the world through lust. Now, our hearts have been purified by faith, and our minds are being renewed by the Word of God. Daily, we are made more like God in a moral sense. We are being conformed to His image. We no longer are prone to evil, but are seeking after holy living and standards.

2 Timothy 1:8; 1 Peter 4:13 - Both the Apostles Paul and Peter emphasized that we are identified with Christ in his sufferings - "partaker of the afflictions of the gospel"; "partakers of Christ's sufferings." As Christians, we can count on suffering for our faith. It will, at times, be severely tested to prove its genuineness. We are "partakers of Christ;" hence, we will be "partakers" of His sufferings. We will suffer rejection, shame, and ridicule for His Name's sake. It cannot be avoided.

What privilege is ours that we can be "partakers" of such awesome blessings that are so undeserved! How mind boggling to think that we share in such incomprehensible blessings with Christ Jesus -

"inheritance of the saints in light"

"heavenly calling"

"Christ"

"Holy Ghost"

God's loving discipline

"holiness"

"divine nature"

"Christ's sufferings"

Yet, in spite of these many privileges and graces bestowed upon us, we find countless rebukes throughout the Scriptures directed toward the believers, admonishing us to stay away from evil and sin.

Why would any people, who are supremely blessed by God, try to walk the fence and gain both worlds?

Why would a people who have been called to be "partakers of Christ" still want to dance with the devil?

In 1 Corinthians 10:21, the Apostle Paul rebuked the believers who were wanting to worship God and still worship idols. He warned them by saying - "...ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of the devils."

Nowadays we see the same inconsistency in the Church. People are claiming to be followers of the Lord Jesus, yet they still have the smell of sin on their clothes. They confess that they are Christians, yet they still think, talk, and behave like the devil. They want all of the blessings and privileges that are assigned for the child of God, yet they won't separate from sin, Satan, and the world in order to take hold of them.

How absurd, pitiful, and utterly shameful it is - for a people who are "partakers" of Christ, the Holy Ghost, the divine nature, God's holiness, an heavenly calling, as well as an outstanding inheritance of countless blessings - to want to still sit at the devil's table and feast on his deceitful dainties and corrupt meats. This is insanity!

In Ephesians 5, the Apostle Paul strongly warned the believers that such sins as "fornication," "uncleanness," "covetousness," "filthiness," "foolish talking," or "jesting" should "not be once named among you." This is the wicked activity found among the "children of disobedience." He then added - "Be not ye therefore partakers with them." In other words, have nothing to do with them. Stay away from such behavior.

We are "partakers of Christ"..."partakers of the Holy Ghost"..."partakers of the divine nature." We should have nothing to do with "fornication," "uncleanness," "filthiness," or foolishness. These things are displeasing unto God and bring down His wrath and judgment upon the sinner.

In Psalm 50, Asaph spoke of the "wicked" who hated God's instruction insomuch that they cast His words behind them. Yet they wanted to claim His promises and blessings. They wanted to act religious and offer sacrifices unto the Lord. He saw through their hypocrisy. They were accused of consenting with thieves and being "partakers with adulterers." They did not rebuke the sinner for his wickedness because they themselves were guilty of the same.

Christians should never be "partakers of Christ" and a "partaker with adulterers" at the same time. Yet so many today try to be "partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils." This is an abomination!

Paul admonished Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:22 - "...neither be partaker of other men's sins..." He was instructing Timothy not to ordain anyone into the ministry who was living in sin. But this same warning can be applied in an overall fashion.

We are never to be a "partaker of other men's sins." We are never to participate in the wrongdoing of others. We are not to associate with those who are engaged in any sinful behavior. We are not to excuse, justify, or overlook sin in another for then we will be judged by God as a "partaker of other men's sins."

2 John 11- The Apostle John warned us that if we would financially support and defend anyone preaching false doctrine, then we would be counted by God as a "partaker of his evil deeds." How important it is that we know those among whom we labor and are over us in the ministry! How important it is that we know where our tithes and offerings are going!

Lastly, in Revelation 18:4, we read the call of God to His people to come out of Babylon(this world's system) "that ye be not partakers of her sins..."

We are in this world, but not of it. We must never allow this world's influence to contaminate us as "partakers of Christ." We must separate from all evil as much as possible so that we as "partakers of Christ" do not become "partakers" of Babylon's sins. If we do not continuously walk in the Spirit, we will find that we will become more and more desensitized to the evil surrounding us.

The frightening note in this call out of Babylon is the fact that if we don't come out of her, we will become "partakers of her sins" as well as partakers of her "plagues."

The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is faced with an ultimatum from God. We will either be "partakers of the Lord's table" or "partakers...of the table of devils." One or the other. Not both.

We are either "partakers of Christ" or partakers of Satan.

We are either "partakers of His holiness" or "partakers of other men's sins."

We are either "partakers of the divine nature" or "partakers with adulterers."

There is no fence to walk. There are no grey areas.

What will be your choice?

1 Peter 5:1 - It will determine if you will then be a "partaker of the glory that shall be revealed."

Now is the accepted time.

Now is the day of salvation.

Now is the moment to decide.

May God Bless His Word.

Connie

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