A friend of mine recently sent me an article by John Piper called, “Did Jesus say we are gods?” that I found interesting. Though I honor John Piper and his amazing teaching and pastoral ministry, I wrestled with the conclusion he makes in the article from the Scripture in John 10 that is being referenced. This podcast is not a rebuttal, it is merely another perspective from the same text.
As with any topic that can be debated, I try to approach it with humility, knowing that we all see in part. My desire (as I know is the case with Piper and other Bible teachers) is that people come to know God intimately through his Word and by His Spirit and that that knowledge of God converts into a life of holiness and fruitful kingdom work.
The problem I have seen with accepting dual nature teaching (we are simultaneously both sinners and saints) is that it creates double-mindedness within the believer. When we are feeling sinful thoughts or desires we just assume it is because our sinful nature is at work. When we have a moment of inspiration and see some fruit of the spirit in our lives we assume that God was able to break through. So for many believers we have become comfortable identifying with the first Adam, but uncomfortable identifying with the last Adam.
And why does Jesus pray that we are included in this divine union? So that the world may BELIEVE! Our union with God is necessary in order for the world to know and to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that his work of reconciling humanity back to the Father is more than just belonging to some religious organization. Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ is to become a partaker of the divine nature (2 Peter 1), to be born of God (John 1:12-13), to no longer be stuck in sin (1 John 3:9), to be one flesh with Jesus (Ephesians 5:29-32) and to be one spirit with him (1 Corinthians 6:17). It is to possess the righteousness, holiness and beauty of his character.
And should we take this precious union with Jesus Christ and use it for our own gain? Should we use our freedom as a cover up for evil? Should we serve our carnal nature with this gift of God?! NEVER!
On the contrary, as Paul says in Philippians 2, we should have this mind in ourselves, which belongs to us in Christ.
Can you see it? God has given us the RIGHT to become children of God (John 1:12-13). He has given us permission to no longer identify with our fallen nature but to identify with our Elder Brother, Jesus Christ. To become little gods, little image bearers of the One true God of all the earth. And in doing so, we would follow in his steps by not thinking that this divine nature means that we are equal with God...NO! We are to follow Jesus by taking on the form of servants, by humbling ourselves in love and using this surpassing power entrusted to us in jars of clay to serve and bless a dying world.
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