Bible Question: Hi, Are we born with a destiny unknown to us or are we born free to fend for ourselves? |
Bible Answer: Hi, Robert... Destiny, as it is used in modern parlance, has its roots in pagan beliefs. This includes other notions such as chance, luck, and fate. Here is what we see, however, all through out the Scriptures: God is immutable: Psalms 33:10-11; 115:3; 135:5-6; Job 23:13-14; Isaiah 14:24-27; 46:9-11; Ephesians 1:11; Proverbs 21:30-31; Numbers 23:19; James 1:17; Hebrews 6:16-18 God owns creation: 1 Chronicles 29:11-12; Job 34:13; Psalms 50:10-12 God completely controls creation: Psalms 107:25,29; Jeremiah 5:22; Job 26:12-14; Psalms 148:4-8 God removes and sets up kings and authorities: Daniel 2:20-21; Psalms 75:6-7; Romans 13:1 God controls authorities: Proverbs 21:1; Isaiah 31:3; Psalms 66:3; Daniel 3:14-19; 4:24-37; Acts 2:22-23; 4:25-28; John 19:11; Deuteronomy 2:24-33; Judges 9:23; Exodus 15:3; 2 Samuel 17:14; Isaiah 54:16 God creates and controls all things for His purposes: Colossians 1:16-17; Revelation 4:11 ...including afflictions: Hosea 6:1; Exodus 4:11; Psalms 90:2-3; Job 5:17-18 ...including death: Deuteronomy 32:39; 1 Samuel 2:6-10; Acts 17:24-26; Job 14:5 ...including evil and destruction: Isaiah 45:5-9; Amos 3:6; Jeremiah 18:11; Micah 2:1-3; Ecclesiastes 7:13-14; Psalms 78:49; Amos 8:11-12; Zephaniah 1:12; Lamentations 3:37-38; Job 1:12-22; 2:7-10; 34:10-12; Proverbs 16:4 God sovereignly controls the ultimate destiny of nations: Habakkuk 1:5-6,12; Joshua 11:19-20; Isaiah 37:21-29 ...and men: Proverbs 16:1,4,9,33; 19:21; 20:24; Job 12:6; Isaiah 22:11; Psalms 139:16-17 ...and unbelievers: Job 34:29; Matthew 11:21-27; Luke 4:24-27; 1 Peter 2:7-9; Revelation 17:8,17; 2 Thessalonians 2:11-13; Jude 4,11-13; 1 Peter 1:4-5; Matthew 25:41; Romans 11:5-10; John 12:37-41; Romans 9; Jeremiah 12:1-2; Exodus 7:1-5; 9:12-16; 10:1-3; Ezekiel 33:11,17-20 ...and believers: Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:4, 5, 9, 11; Acts 13:48; Ezekiel 34:11, 12, 15 All men are free to choose what they think is best for themselves. The will of man is never forced. See Matthew 17:12; James 1:14; Deuteronomy 30:19. Unfortunately, men are hostile toward God's will and cannot please Him (Romans 8:5-7). Salvation is not a matter of the human will (John 1:13), but of the drawing of God (John 6:44). Praise the Lord, however, because He is a God who intervenes (Colossians 1:13; John 8:36; Philippians 2:13)! Then, in glory, the will of man will be perfect and only inclined to good (Ephesians 4:13). Always look to the Scriptures for what to believe. The Word will validate or repudiate denominational doctrines (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Encourage others to give you the Word to stand upon. There is no other rock! In Him, Doc |