Have you ever made future plans for yourself, and were these plans successful? Our plans are normally temporary, for the life on this earth only. But God’s plans for us are for eternity and in the perfect conditions. If you plan to build a house the first thing you need to do is to make a blueprint with all the measurements on it. The blueprint shows how many stories will be in the house, also how many windows and doors.
Also, if you plan to travel, you need an itinerary which shows the way and also the destination. If your plan is to go to heaven, and have eternal life, then you must follow the plan of God. He is the only one who knows the way, and the requirements for it. God’s plan for our salvation is in the Bible and in the testimonies of Ellen White. If we follow the plan of God we surely will be in heaven, but if we follow our own plan, or the plans of many churches which do not agree with the Bible, we will be lost.
In the plan of God there are things that many do not appreciate. Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. We cannot plan for a comfortable life ahead. Especially in the end, Jesus said, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” Matthew 24:21. We must prepare for the greatest storm ever witnessed. We must prepare to leave everything—houses, lands, possessions, and even our life.
The plan of God for us also includes study. Isaiah writes, “Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read.” Isaiah 34:16. Jesus said, and “answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungered, and they which were with him.” Luke 6:3
If we neglect Bible study, we will fail. This spiritual food we need to eat every day. Also we need to read the books written by Sister White. God did not give all the visions and dreams to her just for her own benefit.
In the plan of God for us is also the health reform. The same as God gave to Adam and Eve the food that they should eat and the food that they should not eat, He has given us the knowledge of the proper diet. Paul writes, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31. There are many foods that people eat that are not healthy and therefore God has forbidden us to eat them. We need to glorify God in our eating and drinking,
God has provided mediums for our salvation and if we neglect them we will be lost. One of the important mediums is the church meetings. Paul writes, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; bit exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
“Those who appreciate the words of Christ will not turn aside from the prayer meeting, or from the meeting where the Lord’s messenger has been sent to tell them concerning things of eternal interest.” –Messages to Young People, p. 140–141
“The prayer and social meeting should be a season of special help and encouragement. All should find it a privilege to take part.” –Gospel Workers, p. 171
Also in the plan of God we must be flexible. We need to be as soft clay in the hand of the Potter. “But now, O LORD, Thou art our Father; we are the clay, and Thou our potter; and we all are the work of Thy hand.” Isaiah 64:8. We must become like a little child, ready for sudden changes. There is a picture of an ox, standing between the plow and the altar, ready for both service and for sacrifice.
We can make no firm plans for ourselves. We must let God lead us. He is leading us by circumstances and providences. Rather than telling Moses to leave the royal court and to go to the land of Midian to care for the sheep for 40 years, He used circumstances to accomplish it.
God used circumstances to bring Joseph to Egypt and eventually to be the Prime Minister of that country. But to accomplish it, God used first slavery and imprisonment.
God’s plan for each one of us is to do missionary work, according to our ability. Jesus gave us a commission, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.” Matthew 28:19. If you do not enjoy doing missionary work, and you do not care what happens to your fellow man, and you are satisfied to save yourself only, you will fail, because you do not follow the plan of God.
The condition for our salvation is to love our neighbours as ourselves. How can you prove in the day of judgment, that you did love your neighbour if you did not try to save him?
The seventh point in the plan of God is that we must be baptized. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Mark 16:16. Baptism is necessary, but we must also believe; we need faith.
The next requirement includes constant prayer. “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Pray without ceasing, thinking that this could be your last day of life.
Also, we need to look upon Jesus constantly. “And looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!” John 1:36. We are changed by beholding. Whatsoever we are looking at, we will change to that image. Never should we forget the scenes of Calvary. To see Jesus dying on the cross for our sins will change us to His likeness.
One more thing in the plan of God for us is to love Him and our fellow men. Jesus asked Peter three times, “Lovest thou Me?” And He will ask the same question of us. Without this love we will not make it to heaven.
Now you must decide if you will throw out all your own plans and accept the plan of God for yourself. This is your choice. Billions of people follow the plan of Satan, only to be lost in the end. Yet there are a few souls who have accepted the plan of God for themselves, and you can be one of them. Jesus said, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24
If you will follow Jesus you will end up at the same destination, where He is now waiting for you to be with Him. Amen.
Timo Martin