The Ultimate Goal of God’s Economy

The ultimate goal of God’s economy is to make the believers God in life and in nature, but not in the Godhead. This concept, known as deification, is not a new one but it is one that has been largely misunderstood and not widely taught throughout history. Athanasius, a 4th century theologian, first referred to deification when he said at the council of Nicea in A.D. 325, “He [Christ] was made man that we might be made God.” This statement alone should give us an idea of the significance and importance of this concept in Christianity.

The Bible is clear in its teaching that God intends to make the believers God in life and in nature. 1 John 3:2 says, “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not yet been manifested what we will be. We know that if He is manifested, we will be like Him because we will see Him even as He is.” This verse clearly reveals that we will be like God and that this is something that will be manifested in the future. God makes us like Him by imparting His life and nature into us, as stated in Second Peter 1:4, “you might become partakers of the divine nature.” John 1:12-13 also states that we were born, regenerated, by God with His life.

Being made like God in life and nature is not the same as being equal to God in the Godhead. The Godhead is unique and only God should be worshipped. As believers in Christ, we are “baby gods” having God’s life and nature but not His Godhead. This concept can be understood by the example of a parent and a child. A parent is an adult and the child is a minor, they both have the same nature but the parent is the one who should be respected and worshipped.

This concept is not only important but also practical. It means that as believers, we have the potential to live a life that is fully pleasing to God. This is something that David, who was called a man after God’s own heart, also aspired to. However, God’s ultimate goal is not for us to be just men and women after His own heart, but to be like Him in life and nature. This means that we can live a life that is fully empowered by the Holy Spirit, in which we can fully manifest the love, the righteousness, and the holiness of God.

In conclusion, the ultimate goal of God’s economy is to make the believers God in life and in nature, but not in the Godhead. This concept is not only biblical but also practical, it means that as believers, we have the potential to live a life that is fully pleasing to God.