There is something special about things that are new. Don't you love the "new car" smell?
When I get a chance to go shopping for something new, something that I "really" want, I get SO excited! I go to great lengths to find the perfect item. When something is new, I also take better care of it, at least for awhile.
As we grow in Christ, He gives us a "NEW anointing, imparts a "NEW" thing in our spirit, and we are incrementally changed into HIs likeness.
Jesus challenges us NOT to put NEW wine in an OLD wineskin! Why not? What's the problem? The OLD wineskin is still in fairly good condition, no holes, it has the potential to hold the wine. Just put it in there and it will be fine. However, Jesus says, "NO!" This new wine is so powerful that it will cause the OLD wineskin to burst, and it CANNOT contain it!
In our lives, we think we don't have to replace some OLD ways with some NEW ways. We think we can keep on doing the OLD things and move forward in Christ. I think we need to do a recheck on that thinking.
Habitual sin has to be dealt with. We all sin, but if there is habitual sin, and no turning away from the things that we know are wrong, we cannot walk in Christ as we should.
There's an old saying that says, "You can't go to second base, while you still have your foot on first base!" There must be an exchange that takes place. A trading of sorts...you give Jesus that, and Jesus will give you this.
I am challenging those with one foot in the world, and one foot in Christianity to think about what they are doing. What are actually saying with their lives? We are ambassador's for Christ. Meaning that we go in "His" place, speak for "HIM" we are His representatives to those who don't know Him.
What are you saying with your life?
I believe there is a "mixed signal" going out into the world these days. So many want Jesus, but they don't want to give up their sin. Yes, we can know Jesus, but we will never walk in the fullness of His power, if we try to put the NEW wine in an old wineskin.
Again, we all fall short, but let the Holy Spirit shine some light in areas that the NEW wine will be lost, because there is an OLD wineskin in a place where it should not be.
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