Rags, New Wine and Old Wine-Skins

Jesus said that you don't stitch a new piece of un-shrunk fabric in into an old garment because the new piece will shrink up and make the tear even worse. The truths of the kingdom that Jesus taught is the new fabric that He was speaking of and He said that all of our righteousness is as filthy rags. This means that if the kingdom principles and truths are added to our unredeemed life that we will get worse rather than better. I am sure that many will disagree with me because they observe with natural eyes but from a true scriptural perspective it is true because the person is trying to please God in the flesh and that is not possible. An unredeemed person who tries to follow the teachings of Jesus may actually have some success but instead of making him a better person pride will set in because of what they feel they have accomplished or they may develop a martyr complex because of sacrifices they have to make.
Jesus also said that you do not put new wine into old wine-skins because the new wine will burst the old skins. This too is representative of applying the teaching of Jesus to an unregenerate life. Bursting the old skin represents the application of the new teaching to an old life and the result is a pseudo christian bursting with pride which is a stench in the nostrils of God.

God will not give His spiritual treasures to a person who is still cloaked in their own goodness.
Jesus also said that new wine is not preferred over the old and the reason is that new wine has a sharp edge to it. Old wine and old ways are more comfortable and mellow and the flesh want to retain it. Only a brand new born again spirit welcomes the new wine because it is proper food especially designed to nourish new life.
Many people think that the Christian life is attained simply by deciding that they agree with the teaching that Jesus died to save them and then they just need to keep a few simple rules like going to church and giving in the offering plate and being a little more loving. They are not being taught that a death needs to occur before a new life can begin. There is more to the gospel than Jesus going to the cross. The truth is that Jesus death and resurrection made possible what formerly was impossible. All man's efforts could never result in his salvation, now through total submission to Jesus our efforts have much value, except that our efforts must be directed by Him to have spiritual value.

Some folks still keep the old mosaic laws and when they are shown that the law was nailed the cross according to Colossians 2:14 These folks argue that this scripture does not apply to the ten commandments because we are still not supposed to kill or steal or commit adultery but at the same time they ignore the fact that Jesus gave us a higher law by saying that we must love each other the same as He loved us which means that we not only should not kill but must be ready to give our life for the very one that in the flesh we would like to harm or kill. Not only are we not to steal but if someone should steal from us our coat we are to offer him our shirt also

No natural person can do these things except the one who surrenders himself entirely to Christ, forsaking everything and becoming an empty vessel so that Christ may give him His sinless life in exchange. Christ will come to him by His Holy Spirit and take up residence in him and live His life through him. In this manner it is not possible for the person to take credit for doing good or keeping God's righteous requirements because he knows it is not himself doing it but Christ living in Him bringing glory to Himself. Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:18 to be filled with the Spirit but some Christians (I use the term loosely) are so full of themselves that they are an offense to God.

Being born again is to receive brand new DNA. It is the holy DNA of Christ being implanted in them which cannot and will not happen unless there is a complete forsaking of everything worldly in a persons life. What about the flesh or carnal nature you ask? That is your old DNA and it will immediately come into conflict with the new and must be treated as you would treat a deadly disease. When a doctor tells his patient that he has cancer the patient does not usually ask "will it hurt me if I do nothing about it"? Of course not, the patient will seek every means to get rid of the cancer even to the point of having some of his body parts cut away if necessary. It is just as serious when dealing with the old nature because it will hinder the growth of the New Life within us.
The wages of sin (living according to the old carnal nature) is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Holy spirit will do the work in us but He cannot surrender for us, we must make that decision for ourselves.

Be Blessed and if you are helped by this teaching please pass it on.

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