Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. But we know that, when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is.

 In the New Testament there is the idea of adoption ( Romans 8:14-17; 1 Corinthians 1:9; Galatians 3:26-27; Galatians 4:6-7). Here is the idea that by a deliberate act of adoption on the part of God the Christian enters into his family. 