Fallacy of Destiny (Flip Side of "No Guarantee")

"He did what was pleasing in the LORD's sight,

just as his ancestor David had done."

2 Chronicles 29:2 NLT

This apple fell far from the tree.  Even though Hezekiah grew up under the influence of his evil father, King Ahaz, he did not follow in his footsteps.  He was not destined to become like his father.  There was hope for Hezekiah, and there is hope for me.  I am not fated to become like anyone else, whether it be parent, teacher, sibling or friend.  No matter how close I am to them or how strong their influence, my life has a path of its own (Hebrews 12:1).

Freedom of Choice.  I have a friend who grew up in a highly dysfunctional home with a father who was barely ever there and a mother who suffered from mental illness.  The messages she heard about God from her parents were conflicting, to the say the least.  There wasn't much love found within the four walls of their house and she could have grown up to suffer from a number of maladies, or be plagued by drugs abuse and promiscuity like her siblings.  Instead, her faith in Christ is strong, her heart is pure and her desire to obey Him led her to the mission field.

I cannot make myself see my need for Jesus; I need God to open my heart to the Gospel (John 6:44).  Even the faith I use to trust in Jesus is from Him (Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Timothy 1:13-14).  He gets all the glory for my salvation.  

Once I belong to Him, though, it's up to me to either walk in the Spirit or by my own flesh (Galatians 5:16).  It's my decision if I am to cooperate with His plan of transformation for my life (Romans 12:2, Colossians 3:10).  I can choose the path of life or continue down the crowded road that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).  These are choices I have been given and my friend made for Christ despite the horrible examples she had in her parents.  She was not doomed to follow in their footsteps.

Destiny is a fallacy because God has given me freedom of choice as His child.

Stronghold of Sin.  I can either be a slave to sin or to righteousness (Romans 6:17-18).  While the pull of my own sin nature is strong and I may feel like I have to do what comes naturally, I have been given power over this sin through Jesus Christ (Romans 7:24-25a, 8:2).  I am not destined to do what I have always done, to continue in the patterns of destructive behavior I have always known, or to be oppressed by a generational curse.   No, in these things I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37, 1 Corinthians 15:56-57).

While sin is a powerful attraction, I have the ability through Christ Jesus to take what was once used for destruction and offer it to God as an instrument of righteousness (Romans 6:11-14).  I can choose to put on the Lord Jesus Christ as I would don a coat, letting His righteousness become my own (Romans 13:14).  I am a new creation in Christ Jesus, the old sin nature has gone, if only I would fully let it go (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Destiny is a fallacy because Jesus Christ has given me victory over sin.

Mission of Enemy.  They really hated his brother.  In fact, they despised him so much they were ready to do him in.  They didn't really care how much he may suffer or how he felt.  All they wanted to do was rid themselves of his annoying presence (Genesis 37:12-36).

After Joseph spent nearly 40 years in Egypt as a result of his brothers selling him into slavery, over 20 of those as second in command to the Pharaoh, he gained a new perspective on the treachery that marked his life.  When faced with possible retribution, his brother's quaked in his powerful presence.  Joseph, understanding God's sovereign plan, replied, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Genesis 50:20).

Satan intends to harm me.  In fact, his mission is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10a), but Christ came to give me life and life to the full (John 10:10b)!  God can take what my enemy meant for evil and turn it into the best thing that ever happened to me (Romans 8:28).  While my enemy has a mission that is for my destruction, Jesus has a mission to save me and turn the ashes of my life into something beautiful (John 3:17, Isaiah 61:1-3).

Destiny is a fallacy because Jesus has a mission to bring me the abundant life, no matter what my enemy intends.

While it may seem there is no hope for my life when I consider the influences surrounding me, there is always reason for optimism in Christ.  He gives me salvation and the ability to choose to walk with Him, power over sin, and a plan that will blow my mind in it's goodness.  There is no grounds for me to think, then, that I am destined for destruction.   I have the hope of Christ!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God in the great plan He has for me.

When do I resign myself to what seems inevitable?

How am I a victim of my own negative thinking? 

No Guarantee

"Jotham did what was pleasing in the LORD's sight.

He did everything his father, Uzziah, had done,

except that Jotham did not sin 

by entering the Temple of the LORD.

But the people continued in their corrupt ways."

2 Chronicles 27:2 NLT

Life is not a formula.  I can't put in "x" plus "y" and expect to receive "z".  Sometimes the result is "q" or "m" or something else altogether.  King Jotham's life provides a good example of this reality.  He pleased the Lord in the way he conducted his life and led God's people, but those following behind went their own way.  His godly leadership did not influence others for the good.  Instead, his God-centered lifestyle seemed to have no effect on them whatsoever.  While frustrating, there are several reasons why there is no guarantee in life.

Freedom of Choice.  Any parent who has tried to "make" a toddler eat their vegetables, go to sleep, or use the toilet knows that children have wills of their own.  God has given each of us the freedom to choose how to live.

As a result, there are times when I tend to act like the willful toddler, wanting my way instead of my Father's.  It could be that I know it's better not to talk about others, but it feels good to vent and get my frustrations off my chest.  Other times I realize God is leading me toward a certain ministry but my doubts and fears keep me from following behind Him down the unknown path.  Sometimes I even recognize God's conviction yet ignore His gentle prodding out of an unwillingness to let go of my current lifestyle that is so familiar and comfortable to me.

If I can be so defiant, why would I think others aren't equally as stubborn?  Therefore, I must realize the lives of those I love and care about belong to them, and only they can make a choice to take godly advice, follow my lead toward Christ, or receive God's best for them.

There are no guarantees in life because God gives us freedom of choice.

Stronghold of Sin.  The temptation is great.  If I turn away immediately, I might have a chance.  But once I take that second look, I'm a goner.

The draw of sin in my life is very strong.  As a sinful creature, I may want to do what's right, following God in all my ways, but my flesh pulls me in another direction (Romans 7:23).  Because of this reality, I must take the power of sin into account when dealing with others, realizing they are just like me and may sometimes succumb to the lure of the flesh.  As a result, it is important that I bear with others in love, giving them a break when they go the wrong way (Ephesians 4:2-3).  

A gentle and loving rebuke may sometimes be necessary, but I can't expect my words to be enough to break the bond of sin.  Instead, I may need to wait for God to change a heart (2 Timothy 2:25).

There are no guarantees in life because sin is a strong factor to consider.

Mission of Enemy.  The flock of sheep seemed so peaceful grazing in the meadow beside the quiet stream.  They frolicked through the fields, letting the soft blades of grass tickle their noses as they stopped for a snack. It seemed the creatures had not a care in the world, that is until I noticed the wolf stalking in the nearby brush.

My life is not so different from the sheep's.  It may seem like I live a fairly secure and safe life, far removed from any danger.  The truth, however, is far from this fantasy.  I have an enemy whose mission is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).  Satan is bent on taking away my assurance of salvation, exterminating my faith, and ruining the peace that rules my heart.  He never gives up, but is constantly on the lookout for how he can turn me away from my First Love (1 Peter 5:8).

Even though his power is not absolute and he does not have complete authority over the lives of those who belong to Christ, I am living in his domain.  As such, he will do whatever he can to break the faith of the brethren and lead us astray.

There are no guarantees in life because there is an enemy who never stops his efforts to keep us from God.

I can live my life wholeheartedly devoted to God, yet those in my realm of influence may still follow the path of destruction.  There are no guarantees in life because God has given each human the freedom to make their own choices, sin may be a stronger influence than I realized, and all believers have an enemy whose mission is to take us away from the narrow path.  Therefore, I must live the best I can and leave those I love and care about in the hands of a God who loves them dearly.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God to bring my loved one back to Him.

When do I forget how strong is the power of sin?

How am I unfairly expecting certain behavior out of my children or friends instead of loving them right where they are?