That family relationship-our becoming children of God the Father-is
the heart and core of God's incredible plan for humanity!
Scripture reveals that all people have descended from the first two
human beings, Adam and Eve. We are their extended family. Through direct
creation in God's likeness, Adam was a son of God (Luke 3:38; compare
Genesis 5:1-3). Therefore, since we are descended from Adam, we are
also children of God. God is our Father because He fathered our first
human father. As Acts 17:28-29 tells us, "We are the offspring of God."
But God's purpose goes far beyond the creation of mortal, perishable
human beings. He is in the process of fashioning and forming "a
new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17), fathering His own spiritual
children-immortal and incorruptible children imbued with His
very nature and character.
The more we understand just what that means, the more awestruck we
will become-at not only the majesty of God's purpose but at what
this entails for each of us personally.
A family in God's image
Paul explains this new creation by contrasting the "old self, which
is being corrupted by its deceitful desires," with the "new self, created
to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24,
NIV).
