Saturday, February 16, 2013

Five Bible Verses on Fate

1. Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

God has predetermined the works that we should do in our lives. It is still our choice whether we do them or not, but he has them there for us. Like a long line of tasks we must do them one after another while at the same time avoiding temptation and sin. It is a tall order, I know. I've heard that people often struggle with small decisions about if they should do this or do that. Do not struggle over small things if you're unclear which path you ought to go. Pray for guidance and you will receive it.

2. Ephesians 1:4-5 Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

This passage is extremely fascinating. The beginning tells us that we were chose in him before the world was even created. That is an extremely revealing piece of scripture. God looked within himself and created us in his own image. He intended for us to be holy and blameless before him. Indeed he predestined our adoption through Christ's sacrifice on the cross. It is all part of his will for us. This passage just sets my mind racing with tons of new questions and excitement about the things we don't know about God. It's so expansive! I love it. God is great.

3. Ephesians 1:11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

This is another verse that uses the word predestined. Apparently destiny is a big part of the Bible! This is all done by the purposes of God. We are told that we have obtained an inheritance. What could that mean? That we were chosen by God for this great task. We did not pick God, he picked us! This was all set out in the future and we are walking paths to the place God wants us to be inwardly. What an exciting journey, and adventure we have been placed with.

4. Ecclesiastes 6:10 Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he.

In Ecclesiastes we learn that everything in the future has already been predetermined. It already has a name. God already knows what we are and what we will become. We are not able to dispute with God about anything. There is no way to change our destiny, yet here we are walking it and seemingly making our own decisions. And we are! God gave us free will and the choice to follow him. But does he already know if we will choose him or sin? Yes he does.

5. Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."

Jeremiah 1:5 tells us that God already knew us, before we existed physically. Before even our parents met together and began the creation process we existed in the mind of God. How incredible is that? And how impossible to understand? These are mysteries that will be revealed, but not in this life. We were chosen by God! We are his prophets. We are ordained to go out into the world and bring people to the good news. We must do this task, and we must do it completely. It's very exciting. We are very special people on an incredible journey God has set us to. Truly wonderful news. God be praised! Amen.