IS DESTINY PRE-DETERMINED? Destiny, sometimes called fate, is a predetermined course of events. It can be formulated as a predetermined future. What do Christians think about destiny and what does the Bible teach about it? 1. Things that cannot be chosen! Where to be born, in what circumstances, constitution, condition, etc. Things that are called inborn. Some people seem to be endowed with too many talents, beauty, agility, popularity. Others are ugly, hateful, clumsy, etc. Acts 17:26. He made from one man every nation of men to inhabit the whole earth, and determined their appointed times and the limits of their dwelling places. 2. Things that can be chosen. God gave man freedom, including the freedom to choose to reject Him. Our Decisions Affect Destiny God chose Saul to be king, chose Solomon to be king, chose Judas to be his disciple—but their destiny was up to them. John 6:70. Jesus answered, Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil! Isaiah 55:6, 7. Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him; and to God…for he will abundantly pardon. Revelation 22:12. Behold, I am coming quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to every man according as his works are. 3. God's foreknowledge is not destiny. Ephesians 1:4. Just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless in him… 1 Timothy 2:4. He desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Ezekiel 18:32. For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies, says the Lord God. Therefore turn yourselves and live. 2 Timothy 1:1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. Deuteronomy 7:6. For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for himself, a special possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 1 Peter 1:19, 20. … the blood of a lamb without blemish or spot, 20 which was foreordained before the foundation of the world. Isaiah 46:10. I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that have not been done. 4. God is able to do all things, but there are reasons in his wisdom that we cannot understand. Romans 9:13, 14. As it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. 14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice with God? Certainly not! Hezekiah was dying, but he asked the Lord to extend his life. He added 15 years to his life. (2 Kings 20:1-6) Matthew 6:10. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven! 1 Corinthians 13:12. Now we see in a mirror, dimly; then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know even as I have been known. 5. When we die, our fate is sealed; there is no chance after that! “We have no destiny except what we have made for ourselves.” 1 Corinthians 9:26. So then, I run, as not without aim; I box, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, after I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. Galatians 6:7. Do not be deceived; God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Ecclesiastes 9:10. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for in the grave, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom. Deuteronomy 32:29. Oh that they were wise and understanding, that they should consider the end that awaits them!