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Parroting or Partaking?

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Parroting or Partaking?

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 – NASB)

Parrots are famed  for being able to speak words and phrases taught to them by their owners. While parrots can learn to say all kinds of words for our amusement, it is certain they have little or no comprehension of what they are saying – hence the term “parroting.”

We use the term to refer to someone who, while able to quote all kinds of wise sayings, have no real understanding of the passages so easily rolling off their tongue. They are like parrots, speaking words without comprehension.

I suspect we have many “parrots” in the church. These are people who can quote chapter and verse from the Bible, but are not bearing much fruit in their lives; they have no concern for evangelism, live worldly life-styles, and have little use for prayer. They have a form of godliness, but have never experienced the power of it.

Our text tells us we need to be partakers. God has given us magnificent promises so that by them you may become partakers of [the] divine nature. True faith is being able to have God’s nature living and working within us. His life becomes our life.

He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. (1John 5:12 – NASB)

Christianity is more than just learning its teachings by rote; it involves partaking of the very life of God in our inmost beings.

His Life is Mine

(© Tuesday 10th June 2014 – by Christopher Shennan)

I don’t want to be a parrot,

Having learned to speak fine phrases –

But lacking the life and power

You’ve promised throughout the ages.

 

I don’t want to be an actor

In a performance on a stage,

Or be known for having wisdom,

Or to be honoured as a sage.

 

I want to be a partaker

Of the nature that is divine;

I want to believe the promise,

And discover that – His life is mine.

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