"To be conformed to the image of HIS SON."

The chisel and mallet of affliction!
(John MacDuff, "Ripples in the Twilight" 1885)

"And we know that GOD causes all things to
work together for good to those who love GOD,
to those who are called according to HIS purpose.
For those whom HE foreknew, HE also predestined 
to become conformed to the image of HIS SON!"
Romans 8:28-29

In that great block of uncut marble, there

is, in the mind of the sculptor, a slumbering 

angel. As chip by chip flies off, the form

becomes crudely and slowly developed.

In the course of time--

after months of long labor--

his conception is realized, and

the masterpiece is completed.

GOD is the Supreme Sculptor,

and it is very often by the chisel 

and mallet of affliction that HE 

is now fabricating and fashioning HIS 

people for Heaven. The tools are 

in HIS hands. Let us trust HIM that 

no stroke is unnecessary or redundant 

in the working out of HIS own Divine ideal, 

which is nothing short of this, 

"to be conformed to the image 
of HIS SON."  (Romans 8:29b)

"Now HE who has fashioned us ('chiseled'--
so the word means) for this very thing is GOD." 
(2 Corinthians 5:5)

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GraceGems has published John MacDuff's uplifting short article,
"The Incurable Cured!"