DESTINY OR CHANCE? 7/8/12

JIM AND I took a train ride for our 50th anniversary. The train we took began for us in Klamath Falls and was destined for Van Nuys California. Because of a derailment, our train never left Klamath Falls and we were bused to Sacramento and then we were put on a train, that was destined for Van Nuys. Our arrival in Van Nuys was not according to the schedule but we were still headed in the right direction!


ISN”T that how life is? We set out to do one thing and before we know it we are doing something else altogether. Many believe that our lives are predestined for us and how we get there is problematic. We have a destiny and therefore we are destined to fulfill that destiny. I see our destiny; is to become like Christ and we also die! We cannot escape death! If we look at our lives with doom and gloom then I suppose our lives are destined to be grim. Doom seems to be final and mostly irrevocable, but Jesus Christ brings light into the darkness and we can see forever!

“AGAIN I saw that under the sun, the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to the men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all. For man does not know his time. Like fish which are taken in an evil net, and like birds which are caught in a snare, so the sons of men are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them.” Eccl 9:11-12   The salvation of man is totally in accordance with God’s will! We have to admit that this is one of those divine mysteries in which God began to work out His sovereign will through those stories in the Old Testament, in such a way, as to preserve the divine image of Jesus Christ, in which man was created, and man, with his own free will.

LET’S TAKE a look at chance! By chance we took the bus because it was made available otherwise we would have had to wait 24 hours before we could leave on the next train. It all sounds ominous and complicated, but in fact, many think in these terms. Before the beginning, God’s plan was predestined for His people, because the Church, did not come about by chance! The Church was designed and predestined to begin after Christ established His kingdom, upon the cross.

“AND THOSE whom He predestined He also called; and those whom He called He also justified; and those whom He justified He also glorified!” Romans 8:30 The Church was predestined for all, but not all have chosen the Church. The Church was set up in accordance to God’s will and God gave us our will. The two wills are not compatible! We must submit to God’s will in order to become part of His kingdom; the Church! Christ has made a way and it is the only way!

“EVEN US whom He has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles; As indeed He says in Hosea, Those who were not my people, I will call my people.” Romans 9:24-15a    As you can see here, Paul tells us that all are called. In 15b Paul continues with; “And her, who was not beloved, I will call my beloved.” He is talking about the Church; Isn’t that beautiful? Aren’t you glad that you have responded to His call? Do you remember who you were?

“DO YOU not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor sexual perverts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

IT AMAZES me when I picture putting off the old and putting on the new. It all comes down to justification and sanctification, or as some call it ‘grace!'  In justification God did something for us. In sanctification, God does something in us. Justification has to do with our standing before God; sanctification concerns our character and conduct. The goal for each of us is to conform to the person of Jesus Christ, and be kept sound and blameless. By Jane Ann Crenshaw 6/22/12