Identity
A Family in God's Image and Likeness
Humans have the infinite privilege of having been created in the image and likeness of God. Due to the entrance of sin, this privilege was distorted; however, in the plan of redemption, humans are restored again to their original condition. The family unit, within the divine plan, once again has the infinite privilege of being restored to the image and likeness of its Creator. God is a spiritual being, and man was created with a spiritual nature that prevailed over the carnal one. Due to sin, this changed. However, God longs to restore the divine nature in humanity again, because here lies the greatest development and happiness of the human being.
Communion and Worship
The foundation for man’s restoration lies in intimate communion with his Creator, which leads to supreme worship made possible by divine intervention in response to living faith. In this communion and worship, the Holy Spirit transforms the individual into the image and likeness of God. The infinite price to make this possible was already paid by the Messiah. The greatest development and satisfaction of human life is found in this biblical, personal experience of communion and worship of the only supreme and true God. A family that lives this experience is a family that radiates light amid darkness.
True Education
True education is founded on the love, selflessness, and service of a supreme Creator who, through His Word, created all things to meet human needs—the crown of His creation! This Word is what gives substance to our faith. This Word establishes that humans belong to God twice—by creation and by redemption. However, as a trait of man created and redeemed in divine likeness, he exercises free will in using his physical, mental, socio-family, and spiritual faculties.
Two opposite genders—man and woman—form a home or family. This forms the nucleus of society. God’s infinite educational process for man involves the good news of the gospel as well as continuous transformative development. The textbooks are His Word and nature, which through His revelation and providence guide us in the entire restoration process.
Nature
All nature and the universe reveal the love and infinite power of God. They also confirm that man was created to be a steward of all that surrounds us. By contemplating and participating in an ecological natural environment, we experience a balanced atmosphere full of divine lessons that transform character like few things can.
Nature is a true textbook for the reflective mind. Recreation is combined with hard work. We see the uniqueness of service and enter the environment of giving. The happier we make others, the happier we are. It is the law of service that gives us humility and meekness. Nature opens up a vast field of infinite action and development. It teaches us to do everything with joy, gratitude, and holy diligence.
