Lesson for February 8, 2026

Problem-Solving Devices

#6 – Personal Sense of Destiny

Why Mankind Was Created

A common question is “Why am I here?” For the answer we go back to a time in eternity past in Heaven. This was a time when no sin or evil existed. However, due to arrogance, evil was introduced. Lucifer was the highest-ranking angel in Heaven and the most beautiful creature to ever come from the hand of God. Lucifer became full of pride and due to arrogance, he rebelled against God and persuaded one third of the angels to join him in this rebellion. As a result, the name Lucifer, which means son of the morning, was changed to Satan, which means adversary or accuser. Satan and his followers were cast out of Heaven and sentenced to the Lake of Fire for all eternity. Satan apparently appealed his sentence saying something like this, “How can a loving God send His creatures to the Lake of Fire?” Mankind was created in order to resolve this appeal from Satan. (Mark 5; 8:38; I Timothy 5:2; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:15; Revelation 12:4, 20:10; Matthew 25:41)

Mankind was created lower in order than angels, and yet in the image (with the invisible essence of the soul) and likeness (with a unique personality) of God. (Genesis 1:27) There was, however, one characteristic that was common to both man and angels — volition — the free will to choose for or against God. Satan and his followers (now designated as fallen angels or demons) had rejected God. Mankind was created to demonstrate to Satan that God’s sentence was fair. Even though God loved the angels, He could not violate His justice and righteousness by changing His character to accommodate them. When some of them rejected God, they were justly sentenced to the Lake of Fire. As we know, Adam (the head of the human race) deliberately sinned against God, resulting in spiritual death. However, by accepting God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, both Adam and Eve received eternal life, which demonstrated to Satan how God can save His creatures and still be consistent with His justice and righteousness. (Genesis 2:17) If just one person accepted God’s plan of salvation, it is enough to prove that He is fair and just. Therefore, it’s easy to understand why Satan and his demons are doing everything in their power to keep people from trusting Christ as Savior and to distract believers from their spiritual lives.

Since we are here to resolve the conflict between God and Satan, it’s important for us to be credible witnesses for the prosecution, God. This means that it is our job to demonstrate God’s grace to the angelic host at salvation and in our Christian lives. One way in which we can demonstrate God’s grace in our lives is through a Personal Sense of Destiny. This means that we must learn exactly who we are in Christ and what we have as a result. The Book of Ephesians is the “in Christ” book of the Bible.

Ephesians 1

In the first chapter of Ephesians, we are given a clear picture of what it means to be “in Christ.” In verse 3, we are told that we have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ. This is a reference to our position in Christ. Verse 4 begins a list of blessings with the doctrine of Election, which means “chosen” or “called.” Remember that it is in Him that we are elected. Jesus Christ was elected by God the Father; therefore, we are elected (chosen). God has chosen those who believe to be holy (set apart) and without blame. ((I Peter 2:6; II Timothy 1:9, Colossians 3:12-17)

Holy (set apart) has to do with the doctrine of sanctification:

1. Positionally – we are in union with Christ by the baptism of the Holy Spirit – I Corinthians 12:13, II Corinthians 5:21
2. Experientially — when we are producing the character of Jesus Christ under the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit – Galatians 5:16-24
3. Ultimately — when we receive our glorified body at the Rapture – Philippians 3:20-21

In verses 5 and 6 we see that part of God’s predetermined plan for everyone who believes in Christ is to become a child of God and to be accepted into the family of God. Adoption means, “to be placed as children.” We can have a family relationship with God only by faith in Jesus Christ, which guarantees us an eternal inheritance. (Ephesians 1:11,14; Galatians 4:4-7)

Predestination means predetermined or predesigned. God’s predesigned plan for believers here on earth is to execute the Christian Way of Life. (Ephesians 2:10) God’s pre-designed plan for believers in eternity is for them to possess a glorified body. (Philippians 3:20-21; Revelation 21)

In verse 7 we see that we have received redemption and forgiveness. Redemption means that a believer has been purchased (redeemed) from the slave market of sin. Born with a sin nature, we are separated from God. Jesus Christ became our Kinsman Redeemer, an Old Testament practice whereby a close relative could buy the freedom of a slave.

Christ met the requirements for being our Kinsman Redeemer; He was able to redeem as a near kinsman (His humanity) and He met the purchase price (spiritual death). He was also willing to redeem us (John 1:1-3,14; Hebrews 2:9-11; I Corinthians 6:20; II Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:5-8; Romans 5:19; Luke 23:46)

Forgiveness means that a believer has been pardoned from the penalty of sin, as in a court case. Christ paid the penalty for sin, which satisfied God’s justice. God is always justified in forgiving our sins when we follow His procedure because of Christ’s salvation work on the Cross. (I John 1:7-10; I John 2:2)

Verses 11, 14 and 18 tell us that we have obtained an inheritance in Christ. Because believers are in union with Christ, they are joint heirs to an inheritance that belongs to Christ. This inheritance is something that is above and beyond what we are able to comprehend. We are also told that this inheritance is reserved in Heaven for us. (Colossians 1:12; 3:24; Hebrews 9:15; I Peter 1:4)

A personal sense of destiny gives believers capacity for life by producing spiritual self-esteem. Spiritual self-esteem means that you have discovered who you are in Christ. God never gives us more blessings in life than we have the capacity to receive. (James 4:1-8, Isaiah 30:18) God also never gives us more testing than we are able to endure. (I Corinthians 10:12-13)

Capacity for life replaces the temporary pleasures of Satan’s world system with the eternal happiness of God. (Galatians 6:6-10) Capacity is increased by spending a maximum amount of time in fellowship with God and studying and applying Bible doctrine and using Divine Viewpoint Thinking.

A personal sense of destiny should change the way we think and talk:

1. To self – when we know who we are in Christ, we begin to replace negative self-talk with positive spiritual self-esteem talk – thinking and talking about what God has done and is doing for us. (Ephesians 5:19, Philippians 4:8)
2. To others – when our thinking is right, we begin to talk differently to and about others. Our talk becomes less about “me” and more about “you.” We think of others the way God thinks and we begin to look for opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. (II Corinthians 5:18-20)
3. To God – when we have a personal sense of destiny, we stop trying to coerce God into a course of action. We become thankful for what God has given us and we learn how to pray effectively, which brings the peace of God into our lives. (Philippians 4:6-7)

A personal sense of destiny solves the problem of remaining in spiritual babyhood all your life. A personal sense of destiny takes you from spiritual babyhood to the beginning stages of spiritual adulthood. You begin to grow up in Christ and realize all the wonderful things that God has done for you, is doing for you, and is going to do for you. This causes you to put aside anything in your life that is a distraction to your spiritual growth and health. And it causes you to keep looking to Jesus as your only real hope (confidence) for lasting peace and happiness. Finally, a personal sense of destiny will cause you to live your life in light of eternity. (Hebrews 12:1-2)