Sunday, May 23, 2010

Healing Or Patching

Jesus came so that we would have life, now and for eternity. We are made new creatures in Him, and through Him, leaving the past behind. Even so, we cannot resist the temptation to graft at least part of the old self, to our recreated body.

No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth to an old garment, Jesus said, for the patch will pull away from the garment. Often, we try to take the hurts and pains of years ago, and attach them to our present self. We even attempt to stitch previous regrets, into this new fabric. But it will not work. Sooner or later, everything will unravel. The tear in our lives will become worse, perhaps even beyond repair.

Jesus adds that it is impossible to put new wine into old, worn out wineskins. If we do, He says, the skins will burst; the wine will run out all over, and the wineskins will be ruined. Our lives are much the same. We cannot fill ourselves with the new life of Christ, without letting Him change us completely.

He must remake us both on the outside, and inside, so that His life, and love, can be preserved within us. It is impossible to live for Him, if we only patch up our wounds. Eventually, the seam will rip apart, unless we are fully restored by His hand.

13 comments:

Melanie said...

Love this post.. so full of truth for each one of us!

I read your post below, too, and am so excited that LuvBug goes back to work this week! How great is God for the healing He has given!

Anonymous said...

You have once again made my day..My hubby and I had this very same conversation about an hour ago. I come here and reading your words is like receiving confirmation that God was indeed present during our conversation!

I know I don't truly know you, but I SO love your spirit and I'm grateful to have found your blog.

God Bless

Anonymous said...

I absolutely LOVE this. No patch just a complete new work. We must give Him ALL of us--pain, regrets, mistakes, fears and all to create a new person in His image. If we hold on to some of the past, sooner or later we are bound to have some ripped places. This is so visual for me. As I read it, it I could see a complete picture in front of me. Great words my friend.

Glad I stopped by. Blessings!

Angie said...

Very good word! I agree completely. I pray that God would go ahead & get all that junk completely out of me, instead of a patch now that will require more work later. God bless you sweet friend.

Beth in NC said...

I love your new layout!

Happy Pentecost Sunday. I don't want a patch. I want new wine skins and new wine!

Love,
b

Anne Lang Bundy said...

Denise, of all the wonderful things you've posted, this spoke to my heart more deeply than anything I can recall. The Lord truly anointed these words! His Spirit opened my eyes to this passage in an entirely new way through you.

Thank you. Thank you. THANK YOU!

Anonymous said...

Amen!
Jesus is Lord of all!
The human body, soul and spirit.

Karen said...

Amen...great message....

Just Be Real said...

So needed to read this..... especially, "He must remake us both on the outside, and inside, so that His life, and love, can be preserved within us."

Blessings.

Joan Davis (Jo) said...

Amen! The old has gone the new has come! Let's remember to not just patch up our old selves. Let's let Jesus transform us into new creations! Thanks, Denise!

Nancie said...

Amen, Denise. Only the Lord can fully restore us and give us a new life in Him. Thanks for your prayers. I am praying for you and Lovebug too. Take care. Loving you too.

Warm regards,
Nancie

More Than Words said...

Another great post, Denise!

Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

So true. So beautiful. Thank you....