How to stay on course

As Christians we have been given a predestined course to take through life, and therefore, every now and again we ought to check to see whether we are still on the right track. Straying off track is potentially disastrous.

Romans 8:28-29 states, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. “For whom He foreknew, He also pre-destined.” Ephesians 1:5-11 says, “In Him we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.”

There are two key words mentioned in these verses of scripture – (1) “purpose” and (2) “predestined.” The word “purpose” suggests a prearranged and deliberate plan. It demonstrates God’s abiding faithfulness as He awaits the fulfilment of His plan for your life. God is faithfully at work in every situation anticipating the completion of His good purpose. The word “pre-destined” literally means, to mark out a definite boundary beforehand. Therefore, God has already marked out a definite boundary, for each and every one of us, one that we should not cross over!

From these two passages, we can assertion that whom God foreknew, He also predestined according to His good purpose. But what exactly does this mean? And what was God’s intention when implementing this?

God has divine knowledge concerning you and me, and with that knowledge He has marked out (beforehand) a definite course (with distinct boundaries) for each of us to pursue. And this preordained course lines up perfectly with His deliberate plan for our lives.

You don't determine your own course – God has already laid it out for you. Therefore, you must get to know God's will for your life in order to fulfil God's plan and purpose. If you don't know God's will, you will stray off His predestined course and never fulfil your destiny. Note God’s not obliged to work things together for your good unless you are doing things in accordance with His purpose and will. This means, unless you are on the course that He has set before you, and living within the boundaries He’s laid out for you, you are very unlikely to have ‘divine favour’ operating in your situation.

Remember, you don't create or design your course. You merely run it! Therefore, you need to spend more effort on your walk with God today, instead of trying to make your own plans for tomorrow. God already has definite plans for your future. The beginning and the end is already settled in the mind of God. In eternity past, in recent past, and in the distant future – all of God’s purposes for you have been good. The personal vision you receive from God concerning the course you should run is simply God revealing His faithfulness. And God’s faithfulness is present to ensure that you complete the course. So be encouraged, He will reveal each step in a straightforward way, with clear and concise instructions - provided you follow His blueprint.

Remember, when God starts something, it is already finished in His mind. He knows the beginning from the end. Whom He has foreknowledge of, He has also predestined according to His divine plan and purpose. So stop trying to redesign what God has already put in place. Your efforts will be fruitless and foolish. His divine knowledge, and individual plan concerning your life (and future), does not require your personal touch or interpretation. Just run your race, and stop trying to design the course or set the distance!

Be diligent, train hard, and walk worthy of the Lord. When you can maintain a strong fellowship with the Lord, you will be able to make choices that will keep you on track. And staying on track is the key to finishing the race. In every race, whether sprint or marathon, the runners are given a specific distance, direction and duration for their course. The Christian race is an endurance race because it is concerns “lifestyle.”

The key is true fellowship with God - the One who has designed your course. When there’s no fellowship, you will experience an awful silence and get derailed, because in this silence, God's voice cannot be heard. If any of you are ‘off course’ you will need to break the silence by repenting asking God’s forgiveness for being in pride and neglect.

But how do you know whether you are off track? Why not ask ourselves some important questions:

    * What decisions did I make to cause me to deviate off my course?
    * Was it an offence I received, or was I hurt and angry?
    * Was it unforgiveness toward someone?
    * Was it guilt or condemnation that drove me away?
    * Was it an uncontrolled tongue?
    * Was it an unwillingness to be humble and submit?

Turn with me now to Proverbs 4:18-27…

Here are some specific rules for staying on course (verses 20 to 27).

My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight; keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

We have been given the following guidelines for our ears, our eyes, our mouth, and our entire man;

   1. Find out exactly what God is saying.
   2. Listen intently and pay attention to His Word.
   3. Study and meditate on God's Word.
   4. Hold on to God's Word in your heart.
   5. Seek the God kind of life.

Finally, answer the following questions:

   1. What am I giving my attention to?
   2. What am I listening to?
   3. What am I gazing at?
   4. What am I saying?

How much freedom do I give to my flesh?

Chris Demetriou, 17/02/2008