One of the things that can trip up those of us who are in our later decades is our fondness for the familiar, for doing things the way we have always done them. Anybody else out there feel that way? I have some clothing that is well worn that I will not discard because ‘it’s comfortable.’ I find myself singing 80’s songs rather than new ones, not because they are better, but because I just ‘know them.’ Sorting out a harmless love of things traditional from a deadly grip on the past is not an easy task but it is, according to Jesus, critically important.
Several men brought a sick man to Jesus, making great effort to get him to the Lord to be healed. Knowing His audience, Jesus spoke to the man saying, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” It was an open statement of His spiritual authority which was instantly recognized by the religious leaders in the crowd. They were indignant! “This is blasphemy! Who but God can forgive sins?” He then healed the man and sent him walking whole, carrying his mat. This left those leaders sputtering. Later on, those same men questioned the ‘devotion’ of Jesus’ disciples because they did not fast and spend extended times in prayers. Rather they often celebrated with feasts. They were convinced that really knowing God required great effort and self-imposed suffering. They could not see the joy of the Kingdom of God that Jesus brought because they were enamored with the traditions of the past.
Jesus challenged them with this illustration. “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be torn, and the patch wouldn’t even match the old garment. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. The new wine would burst the old skins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be put into new wineskins. But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the fresh and the new. ‘The old is better,’ they say.”" (Luke 5:36-39, NLT)
My friend, are you open to the ways of the Spirit, willing to consider that God may wish to do a ‘new thing’ in your life, or are you a slave to traditions and past convictions? I think many of us can identify with Jesus’ conclusion - “The old is better.” Can we discern when we love the old just because our preference for the familiar, not because it is the “Truth” that we think it is.
Christians tend to complain about the state of the church, criticize the youth, and/or long for the preaching of another era. "It's not the way it used to be," they sadly say; and they are right! Change is inevitable! Any organization that makes keeping all things exactly the same - and many do - become less and less effective. The world moves on and so must we. A living Christian must grow. But, you say, "Jerry, Christianity is ancient. Traditions are important." And you're right.
The Bible assures us that "Jesus Christ is the same; yesterday, today, and forever." The celebrations of Communion, baptism – remembering the birth, death, and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus – keep us anchored to the core truths of our faith. Some traditions are helpful because they preserve continuity in the Christian community. Certainly seeking to be novel, just trying to be on the 'cutting edge’ to keep things interesting for the restless, will only lead us on one wild goose chase after another as we adopt each new church fad introduced by the coolest new mega-church pastor. In fact, the Spirit warns about being "immature like children … tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching." (Ephesians 4:14, NLT)
How the Gospel is communicated; the forms of our corporate
worship, will change over time.
Christ’ truth will address the challenges of our time, the same truth, newly relevant
to the world’s needs.
Songs that moved us, that shaped our expressions, will be replaced by the songs
of new artists who are expressing their love for Christ with new rhythms and
melodies.
Forms of worship, even ideas about cultural expressions of Christianity will adapt to the culture even as the Gospel transforms that same society!
We need to memorize and meditate on the preacher’s words found in Isaiah where God declares - “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43:18-19, NIV)
Now, let me speak personally to you.
Are you missing out on what God wants to do in your life TODAY, because you're attempting to recreate the spiritual experiences of another time?
Do you fondly remember a decade when, in your memory anyway, God seemed so close to you?
Rejoice in that! Don't try to erase yesterday. My great memories of family times with my kids are foundational to my love for them today. But, if I attempt to relate to my kids who are now adults like I did when they were pre-adolescents, I'll alienate them from me. So it is with the Lord. What He did for you and with you yesterday is foundational for your walk with Him today, but those things are past, and He's doing a new thing in you, in me!
Ask God to help you to see and appreciate what He's doing
today. If you think the Church has gone
a little 'off the rails,' pray for those
who lead, asking the Spirit to make His Presence known - and be ready for God
to do a new thing - in you, in your church, in this world! Yes, think deeply about Jesus’ challenge,
quoted a moment ago where He reminds that we cannot squeeze the work of the Spirit
into the old containers without causing loss. “The new wine would burst the
old skins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins." (Luke 5:36-37,
NLT)
Here’s a word from the Word. Pray for the Spirit’s vision for your future as you read it. “Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds. He has won a mighty victory by his power and holiness." (Psalm 98:1, NLT)
And remember this, about vision for the future: “Eyes that look are common. Eyes that see are rare.” – Oswald Saunders
(Video of this blog at this link)
_____________________________
I've been hard on myself lately
Every morning I feel the weight, mmm
When it's hard to just get out of bed
Tell my heart, 'cause sometimes I forget
That Your mercies are new today
Your mercies are new today, oh
I can rest on Your shoulders
There is grace to start over
Your mercies are new today, oh
Your mercies are new today
Help me rise like the morning sun
Help me see that Your work's not done, oh-oh
When I'm less, than what I want to be
Lord, I need You, to keep reminding me
Your mercies are new today (Your mercies are new today)
Your mercies are new today, oh-oh (Your mercies are new)
I can rest on Your shoulders
There is grace to start over
Your mercies are new today, oh
I kept thinking You were angry
But You were fighting just to hold me
And picked me up every time I fell
If Your love is here to lift me
And Your blood says You forgive me
Show me how I can forgive myself
'Cause Your mercies are new today
Your mercies are new again and again
Your mercies are new today (Your mercies are new today)
Your mercies are new today, oh yeah (Your mercies are new today)
I can rest on Your shoulders (I can rest on Your shoulders)
There is grace to start over (there is grace to start over)
Your mercies are new, oh, new today
I can rest on Your shoulders
There is grace to start over
Your mercies are new today
Your mercies are new today, oh
Paul Duncan / Colby Wedgeworth / Micah Tyler
New Today lyrics © Centricity Music Publishing, All Essential Music, Be Essential Songs
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