Why We Need To Live By God’s Design
We will only find true purpose and meaning when we receive Christ and live from God’s design according to His Word. The laws and commands of God liberate and free us, directing us into how we are designed to live.
As New Testament believers, we are no longer required to live out the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament - thank God - for the law has been satisfied in Christ Jesus.
The Living Word (Christ) and the written Word (the Bible) provide all we need to live how God our Father designed and created us. We are complete in Him.
Living Outside of God's Design
The Lord has carefully knit us together and fashioned us purposely and creatively (Psalm 139). He has given us the Bible as an owner's manual instructing us how to live as we are created. When we choose to live outside His Word, we malfunction, break down and self-destruct.
Just go online and check out the news. It doesn't take long to realize that humanity is broken. Individuals, families, and communities are self-destructing. Crime, corruption, murder, betrayal, rage, and many more, dominate the headlines. Why? Because humanity, without Christ, has chosen to live independently, outside of the principles of His Word, becoming misguided and darkened to what provides real happiness, meaning and purpose. Godlessness leads to lawlessness. When this happens, all hell (literally) breaks loose.
When we live by God's design, we come in line with how we've been created. Instead of self-destruction, we find meaning and fulfillment.
For example, the computer on which I'm writing this article won't work without a power source. The computer only works when it is used as the maker has designed it.
When our children were young, Wendi and I taught them to stop, look and listen before crossing any street. We told them that cars come down streets, and if they are not paying attention when crossing, they can get hit and seriously hurt. We created the rule out of love for them not to make their lives miserable.
Protection and Provision
The principles found in the Bible serve us in two primary ways:
1. God's Word is given to protect us.
Love protects. The Word of God serves humanity by protecting us from unnecessary pain and trauma. Things like shame, guilt, unforgiveness, broken and fractured relationships, in many ways, result from living outside God's design. God's law serves to protect us from all of this and so much more!
2. God's Word is given to provide for us.
Love provides. On the flip side of protection is provision. Any good parent wants to provide for their children. They long to see them come into the full meaning of their life’s purpose and gifts. Our Father wants us to come into the fullness of our purpose, providing all that we need as we follow His Word. Things such as security, significance, hope, joy, and peace, to name a few.
God Word is Given For Our Highest Good
It's important to note that the laws of God are never about control and always about care. His laws are set in place for our highest good! Always! When we follow them, we live within the framework of our created purpose and destiny.
To ignore God's laws and commands is to set ourselves outside of His original purpose and design. We intentionally move away from His protection and provision when we do this.
Yet, when we live under the covering of His laws and commands, we position ourselves to live in true freedom, with purpose and meaning, experiencing both protection and provision.