The Destiny Of Every Christian

THE DESTINY

OF

EVERY CHRISTIAN

Text: Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:11, 12

Intro: Destiny is often thought of as ones lot in life—that which is preordained and inevitable. The idea of destiny is found in both of the passages of scripture being considered today.

In Rom. 8:29, Paul used the word “predestinate,” while in Eph. 1:11, he used the past tense form of the same word. The Greek word translated “predestinate” in our Bible simply means, “to ordain beforehand, to predetermine.”1

Predestination basically has to do with God’s purposes for man. He has predetermined that certain things are a part of His will and purpose for man. However, the fact that God has predetermined that certain things should be a part of man’s life doesn’t mean that man will accept them. For instance, God is “…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9b). But in addition to God’s predetermination that no one should perish, is His predetermination that man should be a free moral agent. Man has been given the right of choice. God’s predetermination does not mean that He forces anyone to go to Heaven or Hell. That is ultimately determined by the individual’s choice.

Just as God has made certain predeterminations concerning salvation and judgment, He also has predetermined purposes for His children. Paul told us of one of those purposes in Rom. 8:29, where he said that the child of God is to “…be conformed to the image of his Son,” the Lord Jesus Christ. But the degree to which that will happen is dependent upon the degree to which the Christian submits himself to do so.

I want to talk to you today about a few things that God has purposed for His children. We certainly will not exhaust the topic today. However, I believe the things that I will deal with are important to us nonetheless.

Theme: It is the Christian’s destiny:

I. TO BE FREE

A. We Have Been Set Free From The Bondage Of Satan.

NOTE: Satan is a terrible taskmaster as the following bears out:

Satan promises the best, but pays with the worst; he promises honor and pays with disgrace; he promises pleasure and pays with pain; he promises profit and pays with loss; he promises life and pays with death.2

1. Christ set us free from Satan’s control.

Col. 1:12 “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (“fitting”) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us from the power (“authority or control”) of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption (“to release from the payment of ransom”) through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”

2. Jesus wrought this deliverance for us on the Cross.

Col. 2:14 “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

3. Satan is still defeated by the blood of Christ.

Rev. 12:11a “And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony…”

John 8:36 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

NOTE: It is the blood of Christ that sets us free from Satan’s bondage:

When evangelist John Wesley (1703-1791) was returning home from a service one night, he was robbed. The thief, however, found his victim to have only a little money and some Christian literature. As the bandit was leaving, Wesley called out, “Stop! I have something more to give you.” The surprised robber paused. “My friend,” said Wesley, “you may live to regret this sort of life. If you ever do, here’s something to remember: ‘The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!’” The thief hurried away, and Wesley prayed that his words might bear fruit.

Years later, Wesley was greeting people after a Sunday service when he was approached by a stranger. What a surprise to learn that this visitor, now a believer in Christ as a successful businessman, was the one who had robbed him years before! “I owe it all to you,” said the transformed man. “Oh no, my friend,” Wesley exclaimed, “not to me, but to the precious blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin!”3

B. We Have Been Set Free From The Bondage Of Sin.

NOTE: Though the Christian can still sin against God, he or she does not have to live in bondage to it, or have it rule their life.

Radio personality Paul Harvey tells the story of how an Eskimo kills a wolf. The account is grisly, yet it offers fresh insight into the consuming, self-destructive nature of sin.