Beloved, we are [even here and] now God’s children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God’s children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is.--I John 3:2, AMPC

As I was rejoicing at my Zoe life, and marveling at how the LORD has delivered and healed me from so much through the years--and the Spirit of God revealed to me that Jesus is the Master Sculptor--Who chips away all in our lives that is not of Him, to reveal the REAL us!

The LORD does this by training in His Word--which corrects us. It can be unpleasant, and even seem harsh. However, when we remember that the LORD loves us so much He died for us to pay for all our sins--for which we could never pay, and for which we should have been sent to hell!--then we know to trust Him, and work with Him on the correction. He is a very patient Father, and sees the end from the beginning of our lives; the entirety of our lives at once. 

His Plans for us are so good--to give us the Zoe Life Jesus died for (John 10:10)! As we trust and work with our dear Father, Who is Love (I John 4:8), then we allow His correction to change us to look more like Him, so that we have more peace and joy and fruitfulness--and the world sees Jesus, which is why we are here! We want them to desire what we have and who we are, and become like us--by receiving Christ Jesus as Savior and LORD!

5 And have you [completely] forgotten the divine word of appeal and  encouragement in which you are reasoned with and addressed as sons? My son, do not think lightly or scorn to submit to the correction and   discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage and give up and faint when you are reproved or corrected by Him;

6 For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and  welcomes to His heart and cherishes. 7 You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son  is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline?

8 Now if you are exempt from correction and left without discipline in which all [of God’s children] share, then you are illegitimate offspring and not true sons [at all]. -- Hebrews 12:5-8, AMPC

The LORD Jesus came to be our Example, to show us what a true Christian is to be like, so that the world will see the true God.

This is the reason we Believers in Christ are on the planet--to live so those who do not yet know Him will desire to be born again!

30 I and the Father are One....37 If I am not doing the works [performing the deeds] of My Father, then do not believe Me [do not adhere to Me and trust Me and rely on Me]. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe Me or have faith in Me, [at least] believe the works and have faith in what I do, in order that you may know and understand [clearly] that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father [One with Him].--John 10:30,37-38, AMPC

So when we look like Jesus, the world sees Him the Savior and Lover of their souls, and they see God the Father--and every person is really looking for a loving, faithful Father! 

When we allow the LORD to sculpt us--correct us, and go His way; to become the image He sees, and intended from the beginning (Genesis 1:26,27)--it is divine!

26 God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. 27 So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them.

When we allow the LORD Jesus, the Master Sculptor, it is such  a rest, a peace, a joy--prosperity in every realm! It is Heaven on earth!

14 Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice, be in high spirits and glory with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem [in that day]. 5 [For then it will be that] the Lord has taken away the judgments against you; He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, even the Lord [Himself], is in the midst of you; [and after He has come to you] you shall not experience or fear evil any more. 

16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear not, O Zion. Let not your hands sink down or be slow and listless.  17 The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing. --Zephaniah 3:14-17, AMPC

When we are sculpted into the image of the LORD, we know our identity in Christ. He lives through us, and we bring our Father and Jesus and the Holy Spirit, Who are One, great delight! 

Hallelujah! Thank You, LORD! What an exciting honor and privilege, to be a child of God!

Through books, courses, presentations, service, prayer, worship, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" YT channel.