Lord's Day Devotion - Out With the Old, In With the New?

"M - o - m, not like that; we don't do it like that nowadays," one of the sons chuckles, tacking on a muted yet audible sigh of exasperation....

Sounds like the 'generation gap' talking.

There are 'new' ways of doing things, from their perspective; the 'old' (the parent's way) has gotten archaic; it's just not up to scratch or "in" with the younger generation and times.  What to do?  What can be done? 

It's an age old quandary--stemming back even in Jesus' time:  the way things were "always" done, "should be done still" in like manner; according to the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law (Luke 5:30).  They needed to be done in the "old" traditional way.

Jesus was introducing a new way, a new covenant that they just couldn't (or wouldn't) wrap their minds around.

"Why do You allow Your disciples to do this or that?  Not even John the Baptizer did it like that!"  (Luke 5:33-35), they demanded to know.

So Jesus, the Master Storyteller, treats them to a parable, the one about the old/new garments and old/new wineskins and what would happen to them when exacting the old things on the new or visa versa.

A rather obvious hint to those religious leaders that Jesus had brought a new, better way of doing things.  Judaism, as seen in the Old Testament, although it was a good way to live, had it's limitations; it helped adherents to "live right" but it didn't recreate.  Jesus was ushering the crucial, pivotal "new" way that brought new creation. 

We followers of Jesus Christ know that as salvation through Jesus Christ and then living a Holy Spirit-filled life thereafter.

The former way of Judaism was "by works" but this "new" Christian way is "by faith".

Life in Christ makes the believer a "new creation"  (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV).

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old has gone, the new is here!"

Accepting Jesus Christ as Savior can be termed "justification".  In God's sight we've been made new and 'holy' as the blood of Jesus Christ has washed our sins away (1 John 1:7).  God has imputed His righteousness to us (Romans 3:22; 4:4, 5; 5:17-19; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

However, there is that "putting off your old self" (Ephesians 4:22-24) that needs to be worked at.  Theologians call  this, "progressive sanctification".  This is making Jesus, Lord of our life.  This is "putting on the new self" (Ephesians 4 22-23).

Reading Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV) explains to us, 

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

The rest of the fourth chapter of Ephesians gives excellent examples of just that (vs. 25-32).  Examples such as if a person used to steal, then now he/she must stop it.  A person must get rid of all "bitterness, rage, anger, etc ( v. 31).  Instead, "be kind, compassionate; forgiving".

Why?  Because...

 "...as in Christ, God forgave you..." (Ephesians 4:32 NIV).

This is the new garment and wineskin.  New attitudes.  New character, Christ-likeness.  The new way of "doing things".

Let us remember this wonderful thing that Jesus did for us through His death and resurrection.  As we pass the emblems of the bread and cup of wine one to another on Lord's Day, meditate on this new way of life we need to emulate.  It's through the dynamic power of God and His Holy Spirit that we are empowered to be like Christ.

Put on the new garment and wineskin, walk by faith,  keep in step with the Holy Spirit of God and live according to His Word, the Holy Bible.  This will span across, and close the spiritual gap, from one generation to the next; good for all generations to come til Jesus' return.

                                                 ~ERC  February 2019~