And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. Luke 5:37 -38
From “The Freedom of the Christian Man” by Helmut Thielicke we have an explaining of the parable of Jesus from Luke. He says,
“the appeal to freedom becomes good news only when our existence is given a new foundation and then we are enabled to be free.”” …only if his mind is given the dignity of being a maker of decisions…”” …he makes decisions because a decision has been made concerning him.”
Beloved, unless a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Another quote from the same source goes: “… for the person who has not been made free to love, freedom is something that demands too much of him, and therefore causes him to flee.”
Yes, old wine skins burst and new wine runs out, unless new wine skins are insisted upon and maintained.
In “The War of the Revolution” by Christopher Ward the author conjectures how that the impositions of “tyranny” from the English monarchy provoked prayer and fasting from the colonists in Boston. Clearly discerned, taxing for revenue without a representation in Parliament, was accurately labeled as an attack on their civil freedom. For Christians it also threatened their personal liberty in Christ and became an issue worth fighting for, spiritually and physically. Thank God for the brave who discerned and refused it.
Today, we fight the same battle for freedom. Do we wish to bow to the force of dark infliction or prayerfully stand fast in our liberty? Will it be pressure, abuse, and exploitation, or will we rise above the world, flesh and the devil.
I fear that in the last days, “many will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.” 1Timothy 4:1. They “Speak lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.”1Ti 4:2 Forsaking their consciences and masking their true identities, these, “Have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof”
We “from such (are to) turn away.” 2Timothy 3:5
Friends, will we have the wisdom to discern ? Some verses to ponder:
- Proverbs 22:3 The prudent sees the evil, and hides himself, But the simple go forward, and suffer injury.
- Proverbs 18:5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
- Proverbs 16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weighs the spirits.
- Proverbs 17:5 Whoso mocks the poor reproaches his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
- Ecclesiastes 5:2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
And prayers must accompany our fight:
- Psalm 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
- Psalm 119:37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity;
- Psalm 119:29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
- Psalm 119:36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies
- Psalm 119:49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
In closing never forget who you are in Christ, brand new creature, righteous, beloved. Consider these also:
- Proverbs 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many:
- Proverbs 10:32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable:
- Proverbs 10:30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
- Proverbs 10:31 The mouth of the righteous bringeth forth wisdom:
- Proverbs 10:24 the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
So, Stand fast in the liberty wherein Christ has set you free, be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage. We are never called to any form of bondage. Fight the good fight of faith… love ya
