D
estiny Newsletter   
Christian Destiny Christian Destiny
Your Questions Answered

Q. Does God have a will, a plan for my life?
A. The Apostle Paul gave his testimony in this regard when he said toward the end of his life, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (II Tim. 4:7). By saying this, Paul declared that he knew the “course” which God had prepared for him. He also testified that he had “finished” that course. He brought to completion the plan of God for his life.

Again and again the Bible speaks of the will of God and declares that we are to know the will that God has for us. Therefore, we can be sure that God has a plan for our personal lives. The fulfillment of that plan means that we will receive “a crown of righteousness” (vs. 8). Paul says that this crown is “not to me only, but to all them also that love His appearing” (vs. 8).

Q. How can I know the will of God for my life?
A. The Bible says, “Wherefore be you not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17). Here the word “unwise” means “mindless” or “empty-headed.” So a person is mindless who does not know and do the will of God.

God declares His will for all. To know His will I must:

  1. Be a Christian (II Pet. 3:9).
  2. Be committed to Christ (Rom. 12:1).
  3. Know the Word (II Tim. 2:15).
  4. Pray for His leading (Luke 18:1).
There are other considerations. I assure you that the pursuit of the will of God is the great adventure of life.

Q. How can I best bring others to Christ?
A. That concern is very commendable because it is the opportunity and duty of every Christian. First of all, you must know that you are yourself saved. Secondly, learn the Word of God and thoroughly understand the Gospel of the Grace of God. And, thirdly, live a godly life so that others will see your faith. Earnest prayer for that person is also imperative.

Finally, be sure you want to bring others “to Christ” rather than simply into some institution. If your sincere concern is the salvation of others, there will be no limit to the spiritual opportunity before you.

Q. If I commit a sin as a Christian, am I lost?
A. The Apostle Paul accused the Corinthian church of 19 separate sins. Nevertheless, he said they were saints and they were also sanctified (I Cor. 1:2). A Christian, through failure, does not lose his salvation, but he may lose his sense of warm, personal fellowship with God. Therefore, God has made a wonderful provision for sin in the life of a Christian saying, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).

Salvation is gained and kept, not because of your personal conduct, but because of the conduct of Christ on the cross. There He died and rose again and became the author of eternal salvation for all who believe.

Q. Can you cite a Bible chapter and verse that frees Jew and Gentile Christians alike from Mosiac Laws?
A. Certainly. “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us” Gal. 3:13). “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2). “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Rom. 3:28). “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight” (Rom 3:20).

Q. I have committed my life to Christ, can I now expect to go to heaven?
A. Sure, you can go to heaven, but not because you have “made a commitment to Christ.” It is inexact, misleading preaching that says, come and make your commitment and you will be saved.

The fact is that we are not saved by our commitment to Christ, but by His death on the cross for us. The precise way in which we are saved is that we are saved by faith in His blood. In salvation we receive a free gift of life eternal.

Now, to the saved, an invitation is extended for a commitment. Paul says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1). The people who were invited to present their bodies were already brethren. We need millions of committed Christians in today’s world, but first we must trust in Christ and the finished work of the cross in order to be born again. The Gospel is not what we can do for God, but what Christ has done for us by His death, His burial and resurrection.


Destiny Newsletter continued