New Wine, New Wineskins

…”no one ever pours new wine into old wineskins. The wine would break them, and the wine would be ruined along with the wineskins. You always put new wine into new wineskins.” Mark 2:22 (ERV)

The parable of the wine and the old wineskins describes the dangers of trying to live a new life with Jesus while holding on to the “that’s just how I am” way of thinking. To adopt a new approach to life is to relinquish the old approach to life. In Christ, we embrace new perspectives with new ways to navigate situations and relationships. He encourages us to allow old things to “pass away” as we adopt new ways to think, feel, and live.

When we put a new face on a bad habit, the bad habit, misplaced loyalty, or attitude will only shine brighter against the backdrop of our walk with Christ. Jesus helps us to abandon our way of doing things to implement new processes for living. Old wineskins are static; they do not allow for movement or expansion. Life with Christ involves growth and freedom. As we learn new truths, let’s try not to blend them with old habits, but let’s embrace the light that God is sending us through this word.