"God in life and nature but not in the Godhead"

[JJ]

Originally Posted by OBW

It would appear to a reader that just goes through the whole of what you posted that partaking of the divine nature is about the character of those who have partaken. And that character is not simply ours, but must be developed. Otherwise, how would they be "increasing," rather than just facts?

There is reference to godliness and there is no reason that we should presume that this is intended to mean something other than the normal meaning of the word — being in character like God. Not being God, or becoming God, but being like the one that we are "hired" to represent. What are the qualities given? Let's see:

Diligence
Moral excellence
Knowledge
Self-control
Perseverance
Godliness
Brotherly kindness
Love

Agreed! That's what happens when we don't just chop part out, and add words like "becoming God" to make it our "high peak truth". "Being regenerated of incorruptible seed" doesn't say "We are God in life". "That we might become partakers of the divine nature" doesn't say we are God in nature.

Did Witness Lee ever emphasize the qualities other than godliness in this list? Why not, because that is what godliness looks like.