"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

In the local churches, the error we made (and I include myself, because I "bought it") was not realizing that partaking of the divine nature isn't something that we have fully done yet (and won't until Jesus returns). And even when we have, it looks like Jesus, a man willing to drop his Godhood and die for others, be glorified later... and that glorification glorifies God (versus us, because he is the source of it all).