November 29, 2022
“And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better.’” Luke 5:39
Jesus pointed out that anyone who has grown up in a culture and atmosphere of old wine, the metaphor for corrupted doctrines, has no appetite for the fresh new ‘grape juice’ of His teachings. But the hope in His statement is tucked away in the word immediately. It takes time to thoughtfully examine what has been taught, comparing Scripture with Scripture. Developing a taste for the whole truth of God’s word is a process that involves confrontation with a man’s entire way of thinking and operating, struggling through one concept at a time.
The culture and atmosphere of popular Jewish thought was adamantly centered on a coming Messiah who would throw off the Roman yoke and establish an earthly kingdom. Even the closest followers of Jesus did not let go of this traditional teaching until after He arose from the dead.
Of course, there is a yoke to throw off here and now! The statements of Jesus have a conquering power on behalf of His eternal kingdom to come. He stands ready to impart grace now for victory over sin and selfishness to everyone who asks. The yoke He came to throw off is the yoke of slavery under Satan’s rule.
If I lack awareness regarding a certain sin or erroneous teaching, a divinely engineered crisis will arise in my life to make me aware. It will bring me to a crossroads: a point of decision. If at this point my decision is wrong, He will patiently bring it around to the forefront again . . . for a limited time. Beloved, do not quench the Spirit! (1 Thessalonians 5:19). He is willing and able to empower each of us to redeem the time, for the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16 – see also Colossians 4:5). One righteous decision is a positive step toward developing our taste for all of the pure doctrines laid out in His word.
Jesus made it clear that mixing error and truth will not work. The efficacy of His heavenly message is devastated when mixed with the traditions of man who has, perhaps inadvertently, been influenced by our crafty foe. The devil doesn’t mind if a powerless gospel is preached, and it is man’s refusal to relinquish error that ultimately renders it powerless.
Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. 1 John 5:5-8