GROW UP INTO HIM
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure." (1 John 3:2,3). Scripture declares that we are now the sons of God. Sonship is not a state that we must earn, wait for, or work toward. When a male child is born or adopted into a family, he becomes a son immediately. He does not become more "son-ish," or more "sonny," over time; he is already 100% a son from the beginning. What is not clear, however, is what that son will become. It does not yet appear what he shall be once he is fully mature. It is apparent then, that as sons and daughters of our heavenly Father, we must grow up and mature. It is natural for every living thing to go through a state of growth; and when this does not occur, then we know something is amiss.