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Thursday, January
1, 2009
True Fellowship
Luke 5:36-39 And he spake also a parable
unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if
otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken
out of the new agreeth not with the old. (37) 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. (38) But new wine must be put into new
bottles; and both are preserved. (39) No man also having drunk old wine
straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better. (KJV)
Luke 5:39
[Having
drunk old wine ...] Wine increases its strength and flavor, and its
mildness and mellowness, by age, and the old is therefore preferable. They
who had tasted such mild and mellow wine would not readily drink the
comparatively sour and astringent juice of the grape as it came from the
press. The meaning of this proverb in this place seems to be this: You
Pharisees wish to draw my disciples to the "austere" and
"rigid" duties of the ceremonial law-- to fasting and painful
rites; but they have come under a milder system. They have tasted the
gentle and tender blessings of the gospel; they have no "relish"
for your stern and harsh requirements. To insist NOW on their observing
them would be like telling a man who had tasted of good, ripe, and mild
wine to partake of that which is sour and unpalatable. At the proper time
all the sterner duties of religion will be properly regarded; but "at
present," to teach them to fast when they see "no occasion"
for it-- when they are full of joy at the presence of their Master-- would
be like putting a piece of new cloth on an old garment, or new wine into
old bottles, or drinking unpleasant wine after one had tasted that which was
more pleasant. It would be ill-timed, inappropriate, and incongruous. (from
Barnes' Notes)
We have been looking at the word ‘communion',
which means to communicate, fellowship, as well as the word participation.
How do you communicate with the Lord, and how does He communicate and have
fellowship with you? It is no longer based on outward rituals, but by an
inward renewing of the Holy Ghost. A spiritual being, that being Christ, is
looking for those that are spiritual in nature as well; seeking those that
desire a relationship with Him based on what He has done on our behalf and
not what we think we need to do, especially when it comes to old outdated
rituals.
Romans 14:17-19 For the kingdom of God is
not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy
Ghost. (18) For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to
God, and approved of men. (19) Let us therefore follow after the things
which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. (KJV)
Williams New Testament translation
for Romans 14:17-19
17. For the kingdom of God does not
consist in what we eat and drink, but in doing right, in peace and joy
through the Holy Spirit; 18. whoever in this way continues serving Christ
is well-pleasing to God and approved by men. 19. So let us keep on pursuing
the things that make for peace and our mutual upbuilding.
Old wine does not work in a new wineskin
because the two are totally contrary one to another. When you keep holding
to the outward and no longer seek the inward meaning of the Word, then you
to end up on the outside looking in through a veil. For those that think a
piece of bread is going to get you into the kingdom of God, well that’s
just crummy doctrine. Your pursuit of peace with God must now take place in
His realm, which can only come through Jesus Christ, so that your joy may
be full. A shot of wine may make you a bit giddy, but I guarantee it will
not get you any closer to the Lord let alone provide much peace.
2 Corinthians 5:16-18 Wherefore
henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ
after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. (17) Therefore if
any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new. (18) And all things are of God, who hath
reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry
of reconciliation; (KJV)
Old things are passed away when you
become a new creation in Christ. If old things or old wine is passed away,
then would not those that still hold to those things be passing away as
well? We are to know nothing no longer after our outward senses or understanding;
but now we are able to see beyond the veil of the flesh and into the new
realm which brings new meaning and understanding of the scriptures. When I
see people still holding to the carnal meaning of the Word, like with their
communion services, I see people who are still stuck in the old and not
becoming the new creation God intended for them to be. Where are you
finding peace today, and where are you looking; in the old outdated realm
or are you partaking of the new one, one that is Spirit bringing new life
to the believer?
Ephesians 3:8-12 Unto me, who am less
than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach
among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; (9) And to make all
men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of
the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (10)
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly
places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, (11) According
to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (12) In
whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. (KJV)
Here is a true fellowship, communion if
you would that our Lord would like to see His people partaking of. This
fellowship is described as a mystery, something that goes beyond the realm
of the flesh and into the Spirit. You know, the Lord has a plan and a
purpose for your life, in fact He describes it as being an eternal one
which is only found in Christ. So in conclusion I ask you, is a wafer of
bread or a cup of wine going to get you this boldness, access with
confidence, or is there something more to it than that, something Spiritual
that will allow you to have true fellowship with the Father?
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