The Plans of God
Jeremiah 29:11 KJV For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Psalm 40:5 KJVMany, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
As servants of the Lord, we possess the divine knowledge that God has meticulously crafted the destinies of each of His servants. Before the very foundations of the world were laid, God’s plan for humanity unfolded as He pleased. Ephesians 1:4 beautifully illustrates that the plans for each of us are intricately intertwined with those of our fellow servants who have dedicated their lives to serving Him.
Ephesians 1:4 (KJV) 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
1 Peter 4:10 , Ephesians 4:16 From each corner of the world, each of us affects one another in servitude to God.
1 Peter 1:4 (KJV) 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Ephesians 4:16 (KJV) 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
In Romans 12:5, while God is not predestined nor does he predestinate who will be saved, there are directives known as commandments that determine and shape our destiny.
Romans 12:5 (KJV) 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
These commandments are meticulously crafted to shape and mold humanity, not merely for the arrival of Jesus as the Messiah. Moreover, they serve as a guiding principle to instill love, morality, servitude, and a godly lifestyle within us. Our responsibility is to acquire knowledge, adhere to this code of life, and impart it to those with whom we share our lives.
Parents are entrusted with the responsibility of raising a child, as stated in Proverbs 22:6.
Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Children are accountable for their obedience to their parents, as mentioned in Colossians 3:20.
Colossians 3:20 (KJV) 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
Children are obligated to their parents throughout their lives to listen to their wisdom and knowledge. In return, parents are obligated to demonstrate godly leadership and refrain from provoking their children to disobedience. Refer to Ephesians 6:1 and Colossians 3:21 for further guidance.
Ephesians (KJV) 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Colossians 3:21 (KJV) 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
Employees are obligated to obey and adhere to the leadership of their employers in all matters, as per the teachings of God. Employers are expected to be just and fair in the working conditions under which employees must perform their duties. Refer to 1 Timothy 2:1-3.
1 Timothy 2:1 (KJV) I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1 Timothy 2:2 (KJV) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
1 Timothy 2:3 (KJV)For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
As members of a church, we are obligated to honor those who have been entrusted with authority over us by God, as mentioned in Hebrews 13:17.
Hebrews 13:17 (KJV) 17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
We are to accept the teachings of our ministry, as imparted by God, and trust and obey the judgment of our leaders, as we would Christ himself. Refer to 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13.
1 Thessalonians 5:12 (KJV) And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
1 Thessalonians 5:13 (KJV) to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
Leaders must pray and diligently study the Word of God. They must be steadfast in all godliness. Refer to 1 Timothy 3:8-13 for further guidance.
1 Timothy 3:8 (KJV) 8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
1 Timothy 3:9 (KJV) 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
1 Timothy 3:10 (KJV) 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
1 Timothy 3:11 (KJV) 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
1 Timothy 3:12 (KJV) 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
1 Timothy 3:13 (KJV) 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Pastors are to shepherd the church with love and servitude, as if they were serving the very essence of God. They are to love the saints and care for each other’s well-being in the world, just as they do within the church. They are to love the saints and care for each other’s well-being in the world, just as they do in the church. Refer to Acts 20:28 and 1 Timothy 3:2.
Acts 20:28 (KJV) 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
1 Timothy 3:2 (KJV) 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
The responsibilities of a pastor extend beyond the church congregation and encompass each individual member of his flock, whom God has entrusted to his care. As per Exodus 18:21.
Exodus 18:21 (KJV) 21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
Likewise, the saints are called to love and cherish their God-given pastors, who represent Christ and his ministry. The congregation is responsible for caring for and providing for the pastors to the best of their abilities, both financially and spiritually. Additionally, the saints have a specific obligation that God has planned for them, as outlined in 1 Timothy 5:17-20.
1 Timothy 5:17 (KJV) 17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
1 Timothy 5:18 (KJV) 18 Timothy 5:17-20 (KJV) the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
1 Timothy 5:19 (KJV) 19 an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
1 Timothy 5:20 (KJV) 20 that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
Salvation is an obligation to those who are lost. There are people who have yet to hear the good news about Christ as their Savior. Each one of us is commanded to spread the gospel of Christ to the “lost.” Refer to Acts 1:8 and James 5:20.
Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Jas 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
These duties and actions are integral to the execution of God’s plans. Our obedience to God’s will is the continuation of the plans He initiated from the very beginning. Through dutifully adhering to His commands, we actively contribute to the realization of God’s plans. Refer to 1 John 3:22, Mark 12:33, and Hebrews 10:38 for further insights.
1 Jn 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
Mar 12:33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
Heb 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Disobedience by Adam had a profound impact on all of humanity, enraging God. Refer to Romans 5:12 for further insight.
Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Obedience to Jesus has saved humanity from God’s wrath, as mentioned in Romans 5:18.
Rom 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
Moreover, each one of us possesses the power to shape the future of humanity collectively. Every time you obey God and diligently implement His teachings, you triumph over the world for the Lord. The Lord eagerly awaits our transformation into His likeness. Refer to John 14:6 for further insight.
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Doing so helps us fulfill God’s plans for humanity and the world. Each step we take toward God is another piece of the plan coming to fruition. Our responsibility is not only to transform ourselves but also to assist others in their transformation, enabling them to follow Jesus. Refer to John 12:44-45 and Galatians 3:27 for further insights.
Joh 12:44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
Joh 12:45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Our impact on a single person can have a profound and far-reaching effect, spreading worldwide. A single act of kindness, bestowed upon us by God through the gospel of peace, has the extraordinary power to transform the hearts of men. Within each of us flows the River of Life, an abundant source of life that we can freely share with everyone we encounter as a devoted follower of God.
God’s ultimate goal is the salvation of humanity and the complete elimination of sin from the world. Through the teachings guided by the Holy Spirit, sinful individuals undergo a transformative process, becoming children of God. Our responsibility is to have faith and diligently adhere to God’s divine plans.
Written by: Charles E. Cohenour Jr. 1/20/2016
