"As God’s obedient children, never again shape your lives by the desires that you followed when you didn’t know better. Instead, shape your lives to become like the Holy One who called you. For Scripture says: “You are to be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16 TPT

Having come to God and received salvation in Christ, we must walk in the new revelation of who we are: seeds born of God. We are no longer defined by our past life; we cannot continue to run after and expend energy on the futilities and desires of this world. To do so is to live outside our eternal reality, in the realm of a stillborn existence, never accessing and, manifesting our true potentials in Christ.

Therefore, we must begin to see ourselves in the light of who we truly are: seeds born of God through Christ, planted in the fertile ground of the nurturing of His Spirit. This requires a daily surrender, letting go of the past way of life and allowing ourselves to be immersed in this new reality. These seeds must grow in response to His light (Psalm 119:105), His watering, and His pruning (John 15:2) —His truth, grace, and discipline.

This transformative growth hinges on beholding Him through intimate communion: consistent word study, fervent prayer, reflective meditation, and the practical application of His word to our daily lives. This consistent communion unlocks access to His countenance, initiating a ceaseless flow from His Spirit to ours, and a life increasingly conformed to His image.

2 Corinthians 3:18 AMP: "And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit."

This verse describes a ceaseless flow from His Spirit to our spirit, manifesting a life transformed through our intimate relationship with God. As we behold Him, we become more like Him.

Intimacy with God: The Heart of Biblical Parenting

Intimacy with God is essential to His design for parenting. From our personal transformation flows the foundation for our roles as parents.

This transformative relationship shapes us, conforming us to His will, which then becomes the very foundation for shaping our children's lives. They learn and grow by observing us, and as they watch us live a life transformed by intimacy with God, their own lives are shaped and formed. Just as we are transformed by beholding God, our children are shaped by beholding us, living out the fruit of our relationship with God.

Ultimately, parenting that leads to raising godly offspring (Malachi 2:15) flows from a transformed life. Our intimacy with God shapes us, and that shaping, in turn, shapes our children.

Dearly beloved, in this season, God is calling us into deeper communion with Him. It is in this place that we draw strength and receive the transformation that helps us fulfill our roles as parents who raise children for the Lord—the kind of offspring He seeks. Let us draw near to Him today in worship, prayer, and meditation on His Word.

PRAYER

Dear Father, thank You for having begotten us in Christ. Thank You for Your free-flowing grace that works in us to "become." As we release ourselves to the consciousness of Your nature within us, may we grow into the full manifestation of sons, as exemplified by Christ Jesus. Amen.