The Divine Design
Life in the new creation means we are called to walk according to the divine design. The divine design is the perfect will of the Father. As we grow spiritually and put on the image of Jesus Christ through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, we move into the perfection of the divine design. This progressive movement deeper into the will of the Father is what manifests the kingdom of God in, through, and around us.
Before humanity was granted access to God’s Spirit, our ability to walk according to God's way was extremely difficult, if not impossible (just ask the nation of Israel). Without the aid of God’s presence, it was natural for us to follow the cravings of our old nature - a nature that has been crucified with Christ on the cross and is already in the process of passing away. The old nature could not please God, nor bring to manifestation His kingdom.
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts...But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions...And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:1-7 (NIV)
Understanding the call to walk in the divine design is so important because it is the key to the future of our inheritance. Walking in the Spirit means growing into the mature image or pattern of Christ. As Paul says in the Ephesians passage above - we are raised with Christ and seated with Him. This means empowerment from the heavenly realm to walk into the fullness of the divine design. By doing so, the “incomparable riches of God’s grace” are released into the Body of Christ. These incomparable riches are the kingdom of God - its mindsets, behaviors, gifts, graces, and wonders.
There is action required on our part that brings to fruition and fullness the plans of God on earth. Because the new reality is already here, we are called to live and walk in it. The old is gone, the new is already here! If the Spirit of God is in us and with us, we are no longer in the flesh - the old mode of existence that is passing away (Romans 8:9). As we walk in the new way with God’s help, reality itself will transform around us.
Walking in the divine design by the Spirit of God is what it means to bring glory to God. It means we demonstrate and radiate the reality of the divine nature, as exemplified in and through Jesus Christ. Christ is the blueprint of humanity in the new creation - a humanity that perfectly lives in the will of the Father, loves unconditionally, and flows in the presence of God. As we put on Christ in mind, body, and spirit, the kingdom of heaven comes into manifestation.
“You have taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator...therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:10,12 (NIV)
To put it simply, life according to the divine design is life how God intends it to be. In this design, there is fullness of life and the glory of God’s tangible presence. There is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faith, and self-control. There are giftings and miracles from the heavenly realm. Most importantly, there is authentic love for God and others, expressed through action. God dwells most tangibly in authentic love, because God is love.
Mankind is destined to once again carry and radiate the glory that was at the beginning, before sin and death gained rule and reign. This glory is already present within us - we have the incredible treasure of God’s power working in and through our frail humanity. As we live according to the divine design, this power and presence becomes manifest through us in increasing measure. What is mortal becomes swallowed up by immortality, what is perishable becomes clothed with the imperishable. The presence of death ends and the glory of life radiates. So let us bear the image of the heavenly man, Jesus Christ!
