It’s About New Wineskins, Not Old Foreskins

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  Mark my words!  I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.  Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.  You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.  But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.  The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”  Galatians 5: 1-6

Jesus said:  “Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins.  If they do, the skins will burst, and the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.  No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”  Matthew 9: 17

It seems that there will always be people living under the law and trying to place others under it too.  To do so denies the message of grace and the entire New Covenant.  In Jesus we are set free from the law of sin and death and reborn into His wonderful Kingdom of love, grace and light.  To choose law instead of grace places one under a yoke of slavery and bondage to the written code that brings death in this life.

Furthermore, if we follow any portion of the law we are obligated to obey the whole law and Christ becomes worthless to us. Those who seek to be justified by observing the law are separated from Christ’s grace.  Jesus still loves them, but the law places a wall between them and Christ that cannot be scaled by mere human endeavor or obedience to the law.  The only way to grace, truth, and life is through a relationship with Jesus, and one cannot serve both Christ and the law simultaneously.  Once again the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

However, a simple turning away from the law and towards Christ again will restore our relationship with Him and place us firmly within His hands of Grace and mercy once more.  It is all about faith and never observance of the law.  Jesus waits patiently for us to turn His way and never gives up on us.  No matter what we do, His face is continually turned towards us and He is quick to forgive.

In the end the only thing that really matters is faith expressing itself through love.  The Lord has faith in us and He expressed His love by going to the cross.  The big question is….will we deny ourselves, take up our very own cross and follow Him daily?  You say you have faith?  Prove it by extending love and grace to others along the way.  Purposely walk away from the law and the judgment it places on everyone, and instead open your heart to Him and allow His great love and grace to flow forth through you to both the washed and unwashed masses.  Jesus has filled our lives, our new wineskins, with the priceless new wine of His Spirit.  Drink deeply from His fountain of life and allow Him to pour you out for the sake of others each and every day.

by Chris Kirk

RULES CONFORM: LOVE TRANSFORMS

There’s been much flap, recently, about many social issues that cause Christians a great deal of concern and have resulted in grand declarations about the long term and even eternal consequences that will be incurred, should these things be allowed to continue.

For centuries, Christians have deemed themselves the world’s moral police, believing they are protecting and serving the world by building better fences to keep people from sin and the total moral collapse of society. Clearly, this has never worked. If it had, we would already be the shining city on a hill that we all long for. I know this is no news to all of you, but it is not, nor has it ever been the job of Christians to protect and serve by being the judge and jury of mankind. Sadly, society truly has bore consequences, not of “their sin,” per se, but of over-zealous Christians who take their self imposed mission far too far. This over-zealousness is in stark contrast to the life Christ calls us to. Yes, we should be zealous about the One whose zealous love for us rescued us from our own sin. However, this rescue came, not through the successful following of a moral code, but through self sacrificial love, freely given, without reserve, regardless of our moral uprightness.

For generations, mankind lived under a “moral code,” which, by all appearances, failed miserably. However, the great experiment was actually the catalyst to God’s (and our) ultimate victory over sin and death, setting us free from its power and releasing us from that oppressive moral code. Jesus, before He ascended to heaven, left us with a new command, one the replaces that failed moral code and yet, ironically, perfectly fulfills the requirements of that code; LOVE. He said, paraphrased…

Love others with the same love that I have loved you with.

That’s it.

Unfortunately, the church believed this was far too simple, so it blew the dust off that old, dead moral code and tried to raise it back to life, as if Jesus, Himself, was not already resurrected. We chose to ignore His new command (which is actually a blessing) and try to live by the law, once again; the very law that is called “a minister of death” in the Bible. At times we even perceive some apparent success when we, or others, conform behavior to it’s requirements. But this success is deceptive. It isn’t really success, at all, but a grand failure. It is a failure, because the desire to conform to this old code automatically violates the new code, as attempting to abide by the old code is not driven by love, but fear; fear for ourselves, fear for others, fear of the future, fear (not reverence) of God, and as Facebook friend of mine has said, “Perfect fear casts out love.” In deep contrast, though, “perfect love casts out fear!”

It’s understandable that we would be concerned for the harmful impact of people’s choices, and I will not deny that this world is in tough shape, but tightening our grip on our rules, attempting to control behavior and protect the world from it’s ultimate demise reveals something about our faith that should cause us even greater concern than people’s behavior. This obsession with moral conformity reveals a deep mistrust of and ultimately a disbelief in God’s role as the creator, sustainer, convictor, and reconciler of mankind. It is not our job to hold the world to some moral code, not our job to convict others of sin, not our job to “save them.” This is God’s job and God’s alone. We are only to love.

Tolerance does not mean a condoning of sin, but a full acceptance of God’s love, grace and forgiveness for ourselves

Some say that tolerance is but a condoning, or cover up of sin, but this is false, too. Tolerance, for a Christian, is really our acknowledgement that we are no different than those we deem as falling short. At one time, we were all dead in our trespasses and were raised up to new life. This was not a result of conforming to a moral code, but the life giving/restoring love of Jesus.

We all have our stuff and none of our stuff is any better than “their” stuff. There is no “us and them;” there is only “we” and what “we” need is what Jesus brought to all mankind and asked us to distribute; His all transforming, all restoring LOVE.

Rules may conform, but only love transforms

- 2trakmind

Grace Notes

"The Grace of God and the Love of God are nearly synonymous. The Grace of God is the Love of God in action, coupled with His power, forgiving our sins, transforming our lives, nurturing us in the new life, guiding us in His service, and preserving us for Eternity.

Salvation begins with God's Grace and continues with a constant unfolding of the Grace, until He makes us His new work of art; a new creation in Christ."

These paragraphs are taken directly from the study notes in my personal Bible. Normally the notes provided are notoriously useless. Nine times out of ten if you read a difficult passage and glance down at the study notes to learn more about what the text means you'll be very disappointed.

Usually the notes will just completely ignore the passage and only talk about the verses above and below the one you're curious about. [Maybe that's why it's been such a great study Bible? I've never had the answers I needed so I've always had to search elsewhere to understand what the scriptures were saying.]

So, you can imagine my surprise when I glanced down at the notes one morning and read the passage above in my Bible. It was beyond amazing, really.

That's why I wrote it down and made a point to share it here on my blog.

My favorite part is the end where it says that God's Grace continues to unfold "...until He makes us His new work of art..."

Wow. So beautiful.

I also love the point about how the Love of God and the Grace of God are synonymous, and how God's Grace does more than simply save us. Yes, we are all "saved by Grace" but after that the work of Grace continues to lead us and to teach us and to empower us to put the words of Christ into action in our daily life.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age…” [Titus 2:11-12]

We all come into the faith by God's Grace, but we also continue forward in the power of His Grace which enables us to walk in the Spirit and to put His Words into practice.

Grace does more than save us and leave us alone. God's Grace is what makes it possible for us to love like Jesus - and to live as He did - here and now. 

The Eternal Now

When it comes to our life in Christ, the past is irrelevant.

Paul doesn’t even bother to mention it in his list of things that cannot separate us from the love of Christ. [See Romans 8:35-39] He does mention the present and the future, but quite intentionally fails to say “the past”. Why? Because the only thing we need to know about our past is that it’s forgotten.

“This one thing I do,” Paul says, “forgetting the past, I reach forward to what lies ahead, and I press on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Messiah Jesus.” [See Phil. 4:13-14]

See, the past is over. It’s dead. Everything that happened in my life before the cross is dead. It has been crucified with Christ. What remains now is only my new life with Jesus.

From the moment I met Jesus I have been continually immersed in the ongoing resurrection life of Christ. My life is now hidden in his life. My identity is now revealed in Him.

I am a new creation. I am being re-created, day by day, into the image of Jesus.

Once in a while I stumble. I fall back into old habits as my mind is being renewed and retrained to see things in the new light of Christ and His Kingdom. But when those failures come, I admit them, I confess them, and I receive more of the new life of Christ and set my eyes on Him again.

I am not a wretch. I am not a worm. I am not a failure. I am not a disappointment to God.

On the contrary. God loves me. He is crazy for me. He can’t stop thinking about me. He rejoices over me with singing. He quiets me with His love. He refuses to leave me or forsake me. He has already moved into my life and made His home with me. He has shared His life with me. He has lavished me with so great a love that I should be called His child. He no longer calls me a servant, but he considers me His friend. He thinks I’m worth dying for. He would rather die than live another moment without me. He can’t conceive of eternity apart from me. I am His beloved. I am the apple of His eye. I have received His enduring, unending favor.

He accepts me. He delights in me. He can’t wait to see me face-to-face.

When we dwell on past mistakes, we rob ourselves of this present reality and future hope.

When we insist on seeing ourselves as sinners and failures, we deny the truth of our new identity in Christ.

As we abide in Jesus, we are partakers of His resurrection life. What’s old is gone. What’s new has come.

Let’s keep reminding ourselves of just how free and loved we are!

This is Good News! We are dearly loved of God!

Worm-Free Christianity

There are no worms in the Body of Christ.

Everyone who abides in Christ is a brand new creature. We are no longer “worms” or “wretches” who are in need of God’s constant pity.

Our favorite hymns might suggest otherwise, but once we come to Jesus we cease to be worms and begin to become new creatures who are partakers of the Divine nature.

Yes, before the cross we were most pitiful and dead in our sins.

Before we knew Jesus we were broken and worthless and hopeless and blind.

But praise God we are no longer in this condition!

Those who are in Christ are no longer regarded as worms, but as sons of God.

We who are members of the Body of Christ are loved and treasured, not miserable wretches covered in our filthy sins.

Maybe there were some Christians in our church experience who poured shame over us.

Maybe there were pastors and teachers who preached messages of condemnation to keep us under control.

Maybe there were some worship leaders who planted melodies in our hearts that emphasized our former identity as worms and wretches.

But that’s not who Jesus says we are.

We are sons and daughters.

We are filled with the fullness of Christ.

We are new creatures with a new nature.

We are holy.

We are spotless.

We are dearly loved.

If you don’t believe me, look it up. The New Testament is chock full of truth about our new identity in Christ.

Jesus affirms our worth.

Jesus declares our freedom.

Jesus proclaims that we are friends, not slaves.

Jesus reminds us that we are God’s children who cry out “Abba!” to our Heavenly Father who loves us dearly.

Jesus says that He and the Father will come and make their home with those who love and obey Him.

Are you in Christ? Then there is no condemnation for you. None at all.

Are you in Christ? Then there is nothing in the entire Universe with the power to separate you from the love of God.

Are you in Christ? Then you are forever knitted together with Jesus for the rest of eternity.

Repeat after me: “I am not a worm. I am a dearly loved child of God. Jesus lives and breathes in me right now. He will never leave me. He will never forsake me. His love for me will never die.”

Now, set your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. Place your hope in Him, the One who loves you beyond measure.

Start living every day, moment by moment, in the new reality of your identity in Christ.

If you can, try helping others to see that they are not worms, either.

We all need a lot more worm-free Christianity.

Criminal Minds

All of us struggle with this.

We know that God has forgiven us. We’ve read the verses. We’ve even quoted them to other people. But sometimes, in the darkness, when we’re all alone, we start to lose touch with who we are and fall back into that old pattern of thinking.

“I’m a loser,” we whisper to ourselves. “I’m a failure,” we say.

Maybe we blew it. Maybe we said something, or did something, that we regret.

Maybe it was yesterday. Maybe it was ten years ago. It doesn’t matter how long ago it was, we drag it back up. We dig up old bones and we reenact the crime, playing it over again in slow motion within our memory.

We just wish God would fix us, but what we’ve forgotten is that God is already fixing us. In fact, He tells us that we’re new creatures who are in the process of being made into His image.

When God looks at us, He doesn’t see someone who needs to be fixed. He sees someone who is a new creation in Christ; someone so dearly loved and fully accepted.

We might feel like we’re not even worthy to ask for help, but we don’t need to be worthy. He is worthy and that’s all that matters.

If we’re in Him then we’re promised:

*There is no condemnation

*Nothing can separate us from His love

*We are new creatures

*We are His children

The next time you find yourself in this place, try reminding yourself of who you are now, not who you used to be.

Focus on drawing nearer and nearer to Jesus and not on how far apart you feel from Him.

As Paul reminds us, "Think on these things...":

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things" [Phil. 4:8]

Going forward, it's important not to dwell on the past. As Paul also reminds us,

"Forget the past and reach towards what lies ahead of you. Press on towards the goal which is Christ Jesus" [See Phil. 3:13]

Resist the temptation to return to the scene of the crime.

You were found innocent. Washed clean forever of all guilt by Jesus, two thousand years ago.

Your debt is paid in full. You are free to go.

All charges against you have been dropped.

We’ve checked with the Judge and you have no criminal record on file.

Keep reminding yourself of who you are now, not who you once were long ago.

Today you are free. There is no condemnation against you. There is nothing in this universe strong enough to separate you from God’s love.

Case dismissed.

You May Hate Yourself, But God Is Crazy In Love With You

 You make His heart sing. He can't stop thinking about you. He throws back His head and He sings over you.

The voices of the angels ring in His ears night and day, but what He yearns for most desperately is to hear your voice calling out His name.

You think you're worthless, but He thinks you're worth dying for. The value He has placed on you is greater than you can imagine.

He literally gave His life to be with you.

When He saw how much it would cost to make you His own He didn't blink an eye, He paid the ultimate price and now you are His.

Now nothing can ever separate you from His love.

He created Eternity so you could get to know Him better.

When God looks at you, He sees His beloved. He sees His child. He sees a face He cannot wait to kiss, and a hand He cannot wait to hold.

His fondest desire is to be with you forever.

He has plans for you. Good plans. Fantastic dreams designed to fill your heart with joy and your eyes with wonder.

So, you might hate yourself, but God is crazy in love with you.

Let that love change your heart. Let His love transform you from within.

Trust in Him. He wants nothing but the best for you.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.

But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit." - 1 Cor. 2:9-10