Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- April 4, 2013
New wine must be poured into new wineskins. Luke 5:38
The new wine of grace grows in a life made new by Christ. The old life of self absorption cannot contain the new life of selfless service. The Spirit’s fullness leaks out of a vessel that is still suspicious to full surrender to its Savior Jesus Christ. A genuine follower of Jesus replaces old thinking with new and renewed mental categories. Heaven replaces hell. Humility replaces pride. Faith replaces fear. Truth replaces lies. Generosity replaces greed. Salvation replaces shame.
Yes, the fermentation of faith expands influence over our character. We cannot hold onto bad habits and augment them with good habits. The good totally takes the place of the bad. Christ’s covenant of grace has no peers. Indeed, the past covenant of the law cannot refrain our liberation in the Lord Jesus. This is why the joy of new believers is infectious, as they are spiritually swayed by the Spirit’s influence. In Christ we are free to be His beautiful creation of goodness.
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:6
You are free to be who you are in Christ. You can be yourself, because He has saved your self! In Christ you are good. In Christ you are accepted. In Christ you are a new creation. In Christ you are a child of God. In Christ you are gentle. In Christ you are secure. In Christ you are loved. In Christ you are patient. In Christ you are peaceful. In Christ you are gracious. In Christ you glorify God. In Christ you are free from sin and Satan’s control. In Christ you are free to be you!
Therefore, live your resurrected life in Christ and do not attempt to resuscitate your old man of the flesh. Your new wine of grace beautifully fills your new wineskin of salvation in Christ alone, but it bursts the old wineskin of the law. The old wine of legalism may be tasty to lazy thinkers with immature habits, but it is bitter to those who have tasted the sweet grace of God. You are a new creation in Christ, the old has passed and the new has come. You are free indeed!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17
Prayer: Heavenly Father I am grateful for being freed by Your new wineskin of grace.
Related Readings: Isaiah 65:17; John 1:13; Romans 6:4; Galatians 6:15; Revelation 21:4
Post/Tweet today: Christ’s covenant of grace has no peers. Yes, legalism tastes bitter to the sweet taste of grace! #freedomingrace
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