By creating man in His image God gave human beings capabilities that are so much greater than that of animals, which do not have the capacity to have a relationship with God and live “by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3).
Man was created as a free moral agent, and no one is forced to do God’s will. As human beings we have the option to act upon the instruction given in God’s Word, or to ignore it. Were God to force everyone to follow His way of life, character wouldn’t be developed. God’s desire is that we choose life not death.
In today’s world the Bible is being ignored or discarded far more often than it is read, and many deny man was created in the image of God. Consequently, there is no clear understanding of the ultimate purpose to life. We live in a confused world with conflicting standards, and are constantly bombarded with false values and vain pursuits that have no place in the lives of those created in God’s image.
God’s Word gives us direction as to how to succeed in life, as well as revealing life’s ultimate purpose. He wants to develop His spiritual image in us, as reflected by His divine Son, Jesus Christ. We have the capacity, with God’s help, to develop His character. The prophet Isaiah clearly stated it is God’s prerogative to define right and wrong: “I, the Lord, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right” (Isaiah 45:19).
Following the Exodus God, through Moses, challenged the Israelites: “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments, His statutes and His judgements…” (Deuteronomy 30:15-16). He goes on in verse 19 to advise the Israelites to “choose life,” because spiritual character is only developed when human beings willingly choose to obey God’s Word.
The Apostle Peter declared those who are willing to obey God’s Word are able to be “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4) by receiving the Holy Spirit. Once they have repented, been baptized and had hands laid on them they become converted members of Christ’s spiritual body (1 Corinthians 12:12-13), awaiting the resurrection at Christ’s return, when they will be given immortality (1 Corinthians 15:51-54).
God’s Holy Spirit, which is given to us after baptism, is essential in order for us to receive the gift of everlasting life: “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His” (Romans 8:9). (See our study guide: What You Need To Know About Baptism.) With the help of God’s Holy Spirit we must live a life pleasing to God the Father and His Son as outlined in God’s Word.
The Apostle Paul explained, when God’s Spirit joins with our human spirit, we are begotten as God’s literal children (Romans 8:14-16). As long as we continue in God’s way, at the return of Christ and the resurrection of the dead we shall be born into His spiritual family (Romans 8:29; 1 John 3:1-2), because, as Paul explains, “as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:14). In Romans 8:11 Paul clarifies the relationship of God’s Spirit to salvation: “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit” (Romans 8:11).
The Apostle Paul understood the incredible human potential God is offering us declaring: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). This amazing future was earlier foretold in the Old Testament when the prophet Daniel was given a vision of Christ receiving His Kingdom from God the Father: “Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.” (Daniel 7:27).
No amount of trials, problems and suffering in this life could ever approach God’s priceless gift of eternal life as glorified children of God. That incredible future is what life is all about, as Paul explained, “The created universe is waiting with eager expectation for God’s sons to be revealed” (Romans 8:19). Never underestimate the value of your life. You were born to become one of God’s divine children, to receive His very nature and character and, eventually, eternal life on His level of existence. Christ’s promises: “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” (Revelation 3:21).
