[Chas]

Great verses and in Rom. 8:29 God tells us what His purpose is - that we might be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Who could ask for a greater result. I am so far from that but that is his plan for me. However, conforming something to the shape of something else requires that the thing being conformed (you and me) be bent or pressed into a new and very different form. That can really hurt while it is going on but God has promised he will never allow us to be tested above our ability to bear it. He will also continue the work He has started in us until the day of Jesus Christ. In other words, He will never give up on us.