Proverbs 3:11-12
My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord (YHWH), or loathe His reproof, for whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father, the son in whom he delights.
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We live in a world and at a time where the discipline of a child is often considered child abuse—and it most likely would be if it was not truly about loving that child and bringing him or her up in the ways of the Lord. For without doubt they are the ways that lead to life and joy. Lacking that there comes a generation of adults who have undisciplined lives much to their detriment as well as society’s at large! Certainly even David, a man after God's own heart, must have realized that as he chose to pray for God to send someone righteous into his life to reprove him, calling it kindness, and that he would not refuse it. {Ps.141:5}

The story is told that someone once asked Michelangelo how it was even possible for him to make that incredible marble statue of David that now resides in Florence, Italy. It has been said that he responded by saying. "I just cut away everything that is not David." While that may or may not be what he actually said, it certainly is what our heavenly Father is doing with us as He cuts away everything in us that is not Jesus. That is the way to make His children a perfect copy of the true masterpiece in whom He delights. {Rom.8:29} We call it discipline!

Jesus who went willingly to the cross was crucified, died and was buried for our transgressions. He then rose from the grave on the third day resulting in sin and death being conquered. Salvation was made available to all who would receive it. That salvation is the free gift of God—to us. But it is the single most costly gift ever purchased. It required the blood, the life, of the holy and pure unblemished Lamb of God.

He lifted up His Son and He lifted us up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and set our feet upon the Rock. That also was to put a new song into our mouths, a song of praise to our God! {Ps.40:2-3} If that does not excite you and cause you to rejoice perhaps you had better test yourself, examine yourself to see if you are ‘in the faith’ as the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth. {2Cor.3:5}

“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.” (Hebrews 12:6-8, ESV)

BEING CONFORMED INTO HIS IMAGE