Bible Connections 2: God Wants Family

God's overarching intention for humanity, established even before the world began, is to form a family with Himself, to exist in His presence forever. This is powerfully conveyed in passages like Genesis 12:3, which states, "In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed," and articulated clearly in John 1:12-13: "To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." This declares that becoming a child of God, and thus a part of His family, is a privilege granted to those who believe in His Son.
This divine purpose extends from the earliest patriarchal covenants, specifically with Abraham, and reaches its culmination in the New Creation through Jesus Christ. After the widespread scattering of humanity at Babel, God initiated a particular plan by choosing Abraham, so that through him, the blessing could extend to "all the families of the earth." This grand plan of reconciliation and reunion is realized through Christ, who gathers people into God's very own household. This gracious act of "adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ," as Ephesians 1:4-5 reveals, was set into motion "before the foundation of the world."
Therefore, God’s ultimate desire is not merely for external religious adherence or ceremonial duties, but for a devoted and loyal family who intimately shares in His presence, receives His blessings, participates in His divine mission, and is granted an eternal inheritance in Christ. Understanding this calls us to recognize the profound intimacy of our belonging to His eternal household, which shapes our identity and purpose, inviting us to live as cherished children within God’s eternal family.