God is Reproducing Himself.

Before man took his first breath, God already had a plan and purpose for human beings. 

‍Ephesians 1:4-5 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will[...]

Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

You weren’t an accident. The reality of creating, growing and multiplying His family was exciting for Him!  It was His “good pleasure” – and it still is! From the beginning we were made to look like God, but according to His Word, He wouldn’t stop there. We’ve been given a capacity far beyond any other creature on earth.

Throughout the Bible, “family” terms are used to describe mankind’s relationship with God and Jesus Christ. That also wasn’t accidental. 

‍1 John 3:1-2 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

‍Ephesians 3:14-15 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named [...]

Our Creator made us with the potential to ultimately become His Family. Currently the Family of God consists of only two. Jesus Christ is the firstborn over all creation, but “firstborn” implies there will be more! He is expanding His Family.

‍Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

‍Hebrews 2:9-11 [...] 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

What Does it Mean to Become God’s Family?

God not only designed humankind with the incredible purpose of becoming part of His Family, but becoming God – to be changed, just as Jesus Christ was changed, into the same spirit and divine nature as God, filled with His glory and power. Then we will fully join Him as part of His eternal Family.

‍1 Corinthians 15:42-44 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

‍1 Corinthians 15:51-53 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

There’s a literal transformation from human being to spirit being that will take place as we join God in His Family. In that moment we inherit incredible power and glory: we will be just like Him – different in authority, but of the same likeness and nature.

‍2 Peter 1:3-4 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

The Family Inheritance Awaits!

Not only was it His good pleasure to expand His Family through mankind, but it’s also His good pleasure to give us His Kingdom as inheritors with Christ.

Jesus Christ first led the way as our Brother and gave the ultimate sacrifice. Now, we have the opportunity to follow in His footsteps to receive the Family inheritance from our Father.

Hebrews 1:3-4 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

‍Romans 8:14-17 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

‍Revelation 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

‍

To Whom Much is Given Much is Required.

The opportunity is clear: God is building a Family. Whether or not we’re part of that Family is entirely up to us.

2 Timothy 2:11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. 12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

‍1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

The intention has always been for us to be just like God – to be holy like Him: to think how He thinks, and to live how He lives.

2 Peter 1:10-11 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Being filled with the fullness of God is an incredible amount of power and responsibility. To be entrusted with such an awesome inheritance, He commands us to change.

‍Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

‍1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 

You were created with incredible potential and purpose. Will you do what it takes to reach it?

‍

‍