The opening piece is from “Union with Christ – The New Finnish Interpretation of Luther. Though it may sound horribly dry, it may bring us some good devotional material. Let’s give it a try.
…the core of the often misunderstood patristic (early church fathers) doctrine of theosis (“participation in God”) can be briefly formulated as follows. Divine life has manifested itself in Christ. In the church, understood as the body of Christ, human beings participate in this life and thereby partake of “the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). This “nature,” or divine life, permeates the being of humans like leaven permeates bread, in order to restore it to its original condition as imago Dei (image of God).
The divine life “permeates the being of humans like leaven permeates bread.” What a gift and what a sign of the potential that is a part of our life together. We are always being invited into the way we were seen in the creation story of Genesis chapter one. We are made in the image of God. When we say the Christ is manifest among us…when we are the body of Christ in the world, we are placed within a holy realm. That is why we are often referred as saints of God. Yes, even though we participate in the brokenness and self-centeredness of what we call sin, we are simultaneously a part of the vision…the holy gift of life that comes to us as God resides among us each and every day.
Connection: This is no idle tale. God participates in our life together in the shape we know of as Christ, Jesus, who continues to call us into his life again and again. Today is always a time to take a step with him into the wonder-filled image of God.
By your invitation, O God you offer us the fullness of this day and encourage us to trust in you as we begin to step into the promises of new life you set before us. Nurture our growth and lead us into your ways. Amen.
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