Design by Suresh Joel

As Christians, God wants us to follow principles and not law. There are basically 7 principles that if followed help us live a fruitful Christian life. Principles on

1. Design
2. Authority
3. Responsibility
4. Suffering
5. Ownership
6. Freedom
7. Success

These principles, if violated will lead to issues like behavioral issues. The way teenagers choose to dress themselves, and both teenagers and adults being disrespectful, usage of foul languages, addictions, debt profanity etc. These are just surface problems which are caused by underlying problems or causes. The causes are inferiority complex, insecurity, envy, jealousy, hatred etc., which are basically our attitudes. These attitudes are again due to root problems which basically involves our character. So character influences our attitude and attitude in turn influences our behavior. The only thing that build our character is God’s grace. As said in Hebrews 12:15, when we fall short of the glory of God, then roots of bitterness springs up in our hearts eventually defiling it. When we resist God’s grace, it leads to bitterness which leads us to value temporary things and not eternal things. God is interested in our character and not in our comfort. So he brings uncomfortable or painful or humiliating situations in front of us. This makes us realize that we are governed so much by our flesh and that it is only through God’s grace that we can handle such situations, coming out of which we come out as better people tested and tried. Knowing and living by each of these principles gives us a fruitful Christian life. 1. Design Psalms 139: 13-14 says that God formed our inmost being. Our frame was not hidden from him. He exactly knew what he wanted us to be like. Understanding God’s design is very important. We, most of the time don’t accept God’s design, may it be our appearance or talents. We want to be somebody else or be good at something else that the other person is good at. God made us a particular way for a specific plan or a specific role. When we don’t agree to His design, we end up feeling pity for ourselves and remain sad and unsatisfied. This stops us from serving God’s purpose in our lives. Acts 13:36 says that David served God’s purpose in his life and hence led a fulfilling life. So the things to be remembered while applying the principles of Gods design is as follows

• Accept the unchangeable things like our physical features, gender, family, church and temperament. These things cannot be changed. God decided it and the best way is to accept and trust our Designer.
• Do not focus on comparable things. We compare ourselves with others and end up feeling inferior or superior. We tend to prove ourselves for acceptance. Comparison often leads us to coveting, which is breaking one of God’s commandment. In focussing on all this we miss seeing our savior’s face. So the best way to avoid comparison is to complement people whenever they do something better or creative than you.
• Accept your weakness. God uses our weakness for his glory. It is in our weakness that his strength is made perfect. Accepting our design helps us in accepting God’s grace thereby leading us in knowing His specific purpose for us which makes our lives fulfilling.

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Reflection by Susan Paul