Becoming One of God's Children

Gathering Separated Children

Lovingly, Jehovah made provisions for the benefit of imperfect people who love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9) The apostle Paul explains:  "God was by means of Christ reconciling a world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses." (2 Corinthians 5:19) As explained in the preceding article, Jehovah God provided Jesus Christ as a ransom for our sins.  (Matthew 20:28; John 3:16) With appreciation, the apostle John wrote:  "See what sort of love the Father has given us, so that we should be called children of God." ( 1 John 3:1) Thus, a way  was opened for obedient mankind to become part of Jehovah's family once again. 

Though all humans gathered into God's family will enjoy wonderful unity under the care of the heavenly Father, note how the Bible describes  them as being gathered  into two groups.  We read:  "It is according to [God's] good pleasure which he purposed in himself for an administration at the full limit of the appointed times, namely, to gather all things together again in the Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth."  (Ephesians 1:9, 10) Why does God administer things in that manner? 

The way Jehovah arranges his children in two groups actually contributes to the harmony of his family. It is not difficult to understand why. God's family is so large that it can likened to a nation. In any nation, a few are selected to form a government so that the rest can enjoy law and order. Of course, no human government has brought true peace, but God provides his family with a perfect government. The first group, "the things in the heavens," consists of children of God whom Jehovah selects for form a government, or Kingdom, in heaven.  From there, "they are to rule as kings over the earth." -Revelation 5:10. 

Next time: Becoming One of God's Children -Children of God on Earth

From the Watchtower magazine