Categories: THE WORD, Weekly Messages

Destiny as Seen by God

Matthew 7:1-14 

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Ask, Seek, Knock “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!  So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

John 14:6

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Ephesians 1:4-5 

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—

Galatians 1:15

But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased

Romans 9:21

Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?

2 Timothy 2:20-21 

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

Genesis 2:17 

but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Luke 17:19

Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Galatians 6:7 

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 

Matthew 16:27

For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

Revelation 20:1-2

And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.

Revelation 12:9 

The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Destiny and Free Will

Human destinies are not predestined by God; instead, the paths themselves (life and death, Heaven and Hell) are predetermined.

Individuals determine their fate by the choices they make and the paths they follow.

The Role of Faith

Belief in God and righteous living lead to the path of life and Heaven. 

Disbelief and unrighteous actions lead to the path of death and Hell.

God’s Plan and Predestination

While some aspects of life, such as roles of prophets, saviors, and central figures, are predestined by God, individuals still need to take responsibility and act accordingly.

God’s predestined paths involve creating opportunities for salvation, love, and righteousness.

Personal Responsibility

People have the power to change their destinies through learning, self-improvement, and aligning with God’s will.

Misfortune or suffering often results from ignorance or poor choices, not divine predetermination.

Spiritual Insights

The spiritual world reflects the outcomes of earthly choices, with higher spiritual realms visible only to those in alignment with God’s truth.

Envy and selfishness, as exemplified by Satan, lead to spiritual downfall.

Purpose of Creation

God created the world and humanity to have counterparts for His love.

Angels, such as Lucifer, opposed creation out of jealousy, which led to their downfall.

The Role of the Messiah and Leaders

Figures like Jesus and prophets are chosen by God to guide humanity.

Their mission emphasizes spreading God’s Word and enabling salvation.

Path to Salvation

Salvation involves listening to the Word, believing in God, and living righteously.

Even if born into suffering, aligning with God’s will and fulfilling personal responsibilities leads to eternal blessings.