We will never be equal to Jesus. Jesus is and will always be next to the Father in authority, in relationship, in glory.

The scripture references in 1 John 3:1-2 and Romans 8:14-15 teach that faithful followers of Jesus are indeed “sons of God.” We have been adopted into God’s family through belief that Jesus died for us and that his blood covers our sins. The next step is to consecrate our lives to his service, and like he did, to do only God’s will and not our own. 

Romans 12:1-2, 5 (KJV), “I beseech you therefore, brethren (believers in Jesus), by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. … So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”

When God accepts us into His family, He anoints us with the holy spirit. Henceforth, we are “new creatures” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). The “body” of Christ is comprised of Jesus as the head and his faithful followers as the body members. The angels do not have this relationship. In fact, this high calling in Christ Jesus is open only during the acceptable time. 

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (KJV), “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”

Once Christ establishes his reign on earth, mankind will be raised from the dead back on earth, and the willing will be brought back to perfection. They will be restored to what Adam lost. Acts 3:21, “whom (Jesus) the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.”

The privilege of laying down our lives (suffering) during the time of the permission of evil and of being developed into Christlikeness will end when evil will not be permitted. Christ will bind Satan, remove the evil influences of the world and heal mankind’s bodies, hearts and minds. Now, however, it is through suffering for righteousness that we learn obedience as did our Lord.  

Hebrews 5:8 (NKJV), “Though he (Jesus) was a son, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered.” Romans 8:17 (NKJV), “and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together.”

In the sense that we are “new creatures” in Christ, begotten of the holy spirit, we are a unique creation of “sons of God.”

Additional Resources:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1324: “What Is the New Creation?”
The profound results of God creating something never seen before
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

Episode #1108: “What Three Steps Will Get Us to Heaven? (Part I)”
Defining and describing justification and sanctification
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

Episode #1109: “What Three Steps Will Get Us to Heaven? (Part II)”
How justification, sanctification and glorification apply to all
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes