Destiny - the purpose for which someone is destined. Destination - the place we are headed. Really we can think of being "destined" as being set apart for a particular purpose - believe it or not, we all have a specific "use" defined for our lives. Our "destination" is determined once we are "in Christ" by our coming into relationship with him. If not, our "destination" is rather uncertain because it is merely aiming, but not really being sure we will hit the target.
But now you have arrived at your destination: By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe—Christ's life, the fulfillment of God's original promise.
(Galatians 3:25-27)
The most important thing we need to understand is the "direct" relationship we have with God through (IN) Christ. The Law of Moses did the work of "pointing to" the destination we all need to be headed toward - life with God - direct, no middle-man involved, close and intimate relationship with the One and True God. In other words, we have IMMEDIATE access which is not corporate, but PERSONAL in nature - affording an opportunity for us to be frank and real with God because herein is 'relationship'.
For some, being "real" with anyone, especially God, is a very frightening prospect. If we have been brought into "direct" relationship with God through the work of Christ on the cross, we have no need to fear this closeness in relationship. It is like having an "all-access" pass right into the throne room of God the Almighty! We can be straightforward - totally candid with God - because he does not judge us harshly for our wayward thoughts, our missteps, or our lack of trust. He accepts us "IN" Christ. Pure and simple - just the way we are. I often repeat this fact because we ALL have a hard time getting this into our minds and actually believing it!
Baptism was not just a time of washing us up for a fresh start - not like a 'spiritual bath' we took at some point. If it was, we'd be finding a place to be "baptized" every day! In baptism, we make a "fresh start" - one which involves acknowledging our intention to live according to the truth God reveals in his Word. The best of intentions does not get us to our destination, though. It takes purposeful steps from point "A" to get to point "B" and beyond. Intent is good - it is our starting point. Intention needs actions behind it - actions given and support by God's Spirit within.
Paul reminds us of the importance of being "fully dressed" with the wardrobe we are given. If we bathe (baptism) - we also need to be clothed (applying the truth we are given)! We often stop at baptism - but we need to move on! God brings us into direct, open, and frankly truthful relationship with him - IN CHRIST. In turn, we are to enter into the enjoyment of this freedom, clothing ourselves with all he provides - our "adult faith wardrobe" found in Christ! Just getting dressed is sometimes hard work - isn't it? If we are given the wardrobe, half the work is done for us! Just sayin!
But now you have arrived at your destination: By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe—Christ's life, the fulfillment of God's original promise.
(Galatians 3:25-27)
The most important thing we need to understand is the "direct" relationship we have with God through (IN) Christ. The Law of Moses did the work of "pointing to" the destination we all need to be headed toward - life with God - direct, no middle-man involved, close and intimate relationship with the One and True God. In other words, we have IMMEDIATE access which is not corporate, but PERSONAL in nature - affording an opportunity for us to be frank and real with God because herein is 'relationship'.
For some, being "real" with anyone, especially God, is a very frightening prospect. If we have been brought into "direct" relationship with God through the work of Christ on the cross, we have no need to fear this closeness in relationship. It is like having an "all-access" pass right into the throne room of God the Almighty! We can be straightforward - totally candid with God - because he does not judge us harshly for our wayward thoughts, our missteps, or our lack of trust. He accepts us "IN" Christ. Pure and simple - just the way we are. I often repeat this fact because we ALL have a hard time getting this into our minds and actually believing it!
Baptism was not just a time of washing us up for a fresh start - not like a 'spiritual bath' we took at some point. If it was, we'd be finding a place to be "baptized" every day! In baptism, we make a "fresh start" - one which involves acknowledging our intention to live according to the truth God reveals in his Word. The best of intentions does not get us to our destination, though. It takes purposeful steps from point "A" to get to point "B" and beyond. Intent is good - it is our starting point. Intention needs actions behind it - actions given and support by God's Spirit within.
Paul reminds us of the importance of being "fully dressed" with the wardrobe we are given. If we bathe (baptism) - we also need to be clothed (applying the truth we are given)! We often stop at baptism - but we need to move on! God brings us into direct, open, and frankly truthful relationship with him - IN CHRIST. In turn, we are to enter into the enjoyment of this freedom, clothing ourselves with all he provides - our "adult faith wardrobe" found in Christ! Just getting dressed is sometimes hard work - isn't it? If we are given the wardrobe, half the work is done for us! Just sayin!
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