Pattern — A Model for Living

A pattern is a standard or guide by which all subsequent items are fashioned. In the biblical context, patterns carry profound significance — they reveal God's design for humanity and the transformative framework He provides through Christ.

The Original Pattern and Its Damage

At creation, God made humanity in His holy likeness — a perfect pattern reflecting His character and purposes (Gen 1:26-27). Humanity was fashioned according to a divine mould, intended to bear God's image in every dimension of life. However, by submitting to Satan's deception, the mould was damaged by the sin of disobedience, and every human born since has been true to form — flawed by sin (Ps 51:5). The original pattern was marred, and its distortion has been passed down through every generation.

The consequences of this broken pattern are far-reaching. What was once a clear reflection of God's nature became clouded by self-interest, rebellion, and spiritual blindness. The entire human race inherited a corrupted nature — a pattern of sin that could not be repaired by human effort alone. Every attempt at self-reformation falls short of restoring the original design.

What does it mean to be made in God's likeness?

A New Pattern Through Christ

Jesus came to earth to provide a remedy for the broken pattern. "You must be born-again," He said to Nicodemus (Jn 3:3,7). In becoming "a new creation the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor 5:17). Through His death on the cross, Christ created a new pattern for Christians to follow (1 Cor 15:22). We are to consider the old life dead, redundant and discarded while living a radically different new life in Christ (Rom 6:4-23).

The Bible exhorts us to put off the old ways and put on the new (Eph 4:22-25; Col 3:10). With Jesus' help, break the old mould and identify with the significance of water baptism — "We died to sin…were buried with Him through baptism…raised…to live a new life", with the teachings of the Bible our pattern to guide our lives (Rom 6:2-4; 2 Tim 1:13, 3:16-17).

Am I living by the old pattern or the new?

Transformation of Mind and Life

The Bible states, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Rom 12:2). Rather than being squeezed into the world's mould of doing things its way and conforming to its practices, as believers, we are to have a radically different mindset and lifestyle, opposite to those who do not walk in God's ways. By reading the Scriptures and revisiting our thoughts (meditating), in our minds, we reinforce them and they become powerful forces shaping our habits. Lives which reflect heavenly qualities, not those of the sinful nature, should distinguish us (Gal 5:19-24).

There are many types or patterns portrayed in the Old Testament that are more fully outworked in the New Testament, such as the repeated outward cleansing by the blood of an animal for sinners being superseded by the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus, as the Lamb of God cleansing us inwardly from sin (Heb 9:13-14). These patterns demonstrate God's consistent redemptive plan unfolding across both Testaments.

Which patterns from Scripture am I allowing to shape me?

Reflection and Application:

Consider whether your daily life more closely reflects the old pattern of sin or the new pattern of Christ — ask God to reveal areas that still need transformation.
Identify one specific habit or mindset that conforms to the world's pattern and commit to replacing it with a biblical alternative this week.
Practise the discipline of meditating on Scripture daily, allowing God's Word to reshape your thinking and reinforce the new pattern within you.
If you have not yet identified with Christ through water baptism, prayerfully consider taking this step as a public declaration of the new pattern you are following.