Jesus is an Anchor
If you know even a little about nautical experiences then you know that an anchor has a purpose. It is not just the tattoo that Popeye or Navy guys have on their forearms. It is a tool to use when the seas get rocky and start to rock the vessel to and fro. When things get scary utilizing the anchor will keep the ship from sinking or from being overtaken by the waves created by the storm. Our lives have storms and those waves are the problems that come along with the storm. When the seas get rough and we want to keep from sinking in stress and being overwhelmed, keep anchored to Jesus. In Hebrews 6:19 we read "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain..." Jesus is more than a great guy. He is your Lord and Savior and your anchor when problems arise.
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God's Grace is Free
Grace is a wonderful thing. It is an important intangible. Grace is not something you earn. It is given freely. It is a gift. A gift that we all need in our relationships and in our relationship with God. In Romans 11:6 we understand that when it comes to our salvation (our eternal existence in Heaven) that the only reason why we get that chance is grace. The grace comes from God freely. We literally do not have to do anything to receive this grace, other than accept. You don't have to serve 50 homeless people for 10 years. You do not have to memorize 40 Bible verses and wrote 6 essays. All you have to do is accept God's grace that is free to you in order for you to have salvation.
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Milk Not Solid Food
In Hebrews 5:12 the writer (probably not Paul) is telling the intended reader that they need more teaching. He refers to the teaching as milk as opposed to solid food. Why this way? Milk was intended for children to drink as infants (then and now) as opposed to solid food that they could not chew and swallow. Infants aren't ready to chew yet so they drink milk. They are not mature enough yet to eat solid food. That is what the writer here is saying to the reader, they they are not ready yet for a deeper look into God and Scripture. He says they needed to be taught again about the basic principles of the oracles of God. The writer saw that there was a correction that needed to be made and said something about it. Good move for a leader.
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Be Patient, Stay Strong in Him
If you have read through Proverbs then you know that there is plenty of wisdom to obtain from that book. In Proverbs 16:7 we read "When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." This is not specific to just men, but women too. First, look at the phrase "man's ways please the Lord." These are not ways that you justify that are just what you want to do, but what God wants from you. How do you know what God wants from you? Look at John 13:34 and know that Jesus himself said that he wants us to love others as he has loved us. Remember he died for your sins. Also remember this was a command, not a suggestion. Secondly, "He makes even his enemies be at peace with him." Have you ever heard the term "misery loves company"? It is hard to argue with someone who won't argue with you. Let "Jesus take the wheel" to your heart and soul and steer you away from sin and troubles.
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Near to the Throne
Hebrews 4:16 can be broken down in several ways. First, we can have confidence when we draw near to the thrown of Grace. We have been tempted as Jesus was tempted, so since he has experienced the same as we have, his grace and mercy does not expire. He has empathy and understanding for us as our experiences have been his also. Second, when you draw near to the throne that is how you can receive mercy. You do not have to drag those sins with you throughout life. God's mercy and grace through Jesus has relived us of that if we desire to believe that and follow Jesus. Not only do we need grace in various times but we can also give grace when needed to others. I need it. You need it. They need it. We need it. God gives it.
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Daily Encouragement
One can look at Hebrews 3:13 and assume that encouragement means to just encourage others to do what ever it is that they want to do or that we want them to do. If we encourage others to do what they want that could lead to enabling. If we are encouraging others to do what we want then that could be manipulation. We need to encourage one another daily in what the Lord would want for us. We don't want to succumb to sin as the rest of verse 13 states. So if we fellow brothers and sisters in Christ encourage each other to follow after God's heart and serve His will and not our own, that will pull us closer to Him and push us further away from sin. Your Christian walk was not meant to be done alone.
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Know the Power of Jesus
Hebrews 2:18 reminds us of the power within Jesus for us when we endure hard times. Hard times will come, but focusing on the Lord will help us overcome. We have to understand who Jesus is though. The writer says "For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." That means, if anyone understands and can empathize with what you are experience when it comes to pain and hurt and just being overwhelmed, then it is Jesus. No angel can relate because no angel was sent to die for the sins of man.
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Radiance of God's Glory
When the author (maybe Paul??) wrote that "the son is the radiance of God's glory (verse 3)" it sets up a picture painted with truth from scripture by understanding what has been written and what has not been. Jesus was not the same as an angel. Angels are not God's begotten son (verse 5). Angels were to worship God's son as referenced in verse 6. Lastly, angels did not sit at God's right hand (verse 13). Angels and Jesus are not the same. Only Jesus is God's only son, no one else.
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Be Loving Anyway
It can be very difficult to be loving to someone who is not being loving to you. Maybe they have insulted you or something like that and now you want to verbally retaliate. But ask yourself, does that honor God? If you are trying to figure out how you can insult someone in a round about way, then you are not focused on being loving. You are focused on revenge or vengeance. All we do is to be God honoring, even toward those that do not know or care for Jesus.
Remember that time they said/did that thing that hurt you? I mean it really hurt. You may have an emotion scar or even a physical one. The life of Jesus says for us to still love them. WHAT?!?! Yes, still love them. That does not mean you let them in your house and trust them. But it does mean get right in your heart and head (over and over again if need be) and forgive them. You may think, how am I supposed to do that? Well, ask God how he does it with you for those times you did people wrong or hurt someone? I struggle with looking at the words of others and think "that's not the Christian response" and then I think of the several things I said that day/week that are also not the Christian response. I need to repent and not just keep sinning. I need be loving like Jesus said in John 13:34.
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Paul's Faith
While Paul was in prison in the book of Acts, he wrote letters. One of the letters that he wrote was to Philemon. He had been a friend to Paul and Paul respected him a great deal so much so that he entrusts Philemon with caring for Onesimus while Paul was imprisoned (Philemon 1:10). Onesimus was like a son to Paul and Paul trusted Philemon to take care of him. Onesimus used to be a bondservant/slave to Philemon and Paul was faithful that Philemon would take Onesimus back but as a brother. Paul even says if Onesimus does Philemon wrong or owes him anything, charge it to Paul. That is quite the extension of himself for the sake of the gospel as Onesimus. A very giving expression of love. But he also was so close and stayed faithful (Philemon 1:22), he wanted Philemon to prepare a place for him to stay once he was freed from prison. That takes a lot of faith in Onesimus (as he was a follower of Christ) and also in the power of prayer and faith in Christ to be released and not killed in prison.
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Warning Against Idleness
In reading 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 we get to see the encouragement against idleness. What is idleness? That means being inactive. Imagine your car sitting still in neutral. It has potential to go forward or backward, but it just sits. It is useless. I look at MANY (far too many) Christ followers who see themselves as right with God but do not serve, read or read and study the Word. It is time to start doing more for the Kingdom of God.
Idleness did not just mean inactivity. In verses 6-7 Paul directs fellow Christ followers to keep away from any brother/sister in Christ who is walking in idleness. That means if this believer is not living like a believer (I assume more often than not) then you have every right to keep your distance. And why wouldn't you? We already know that bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33). So if someone among you is not following the example of Christ, then it is okay to leave them to their ways. You don't have to fix them or feel guilty that they chose their lifestyle.
In verses 10-11 Paul calls out those who would not (notice that it wasn't cannot) work. He says, if they aren't willing to help and work and they just want to be busy bodies, then they should not eat. This I understand was specific to the church and not local government. The thinking is that people thought if Jesus was coming back then what was the point of working. They decided to let others work and they reap the benefits of giving Christians. Paul didn't like that, but he also wanted those who were doing the right thing to not grow weary in doing it (verse 13). Paul knew how to call out those that weren't doing the right thing but also knew how to encourage those that were doing the right thing in the name of the Lord.
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Division and Deeds
Paul tells Titus to be careful of those who cause division in the church in Titus 3:10. Paul says, "As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned." He isn't saying don't give them a chance, but he is saying after so many times, move on from them. The whole church is bigger than an individual who is not unified with others in Christ.
Paul also tells Titus "And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful." This reminds me today of so many of us who do not serve as Christ did and think we are "good Christians." We all have some kind of ability to help someone, not just our family and friends. Even the pagans can serve their families. Christ followers need to step it up.
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Instructions for Women
Paul makes sure to tell Titus how to guide and teach not only the men, but the women as well. Truly, it is a way to set followers of Christ apart from those who do not and believe that they should do whatever they want with their lives and bodies. In verses 3-5 Paul writes, "Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled." This puts older women as mentors to younger women. This puts older women as walking, living breathing examples of a Christ following woman who is not slandering others or getting drunk. Paul wants the older women teach the younger ones to love their husbands and children. I know many say that the Bible is a misogynistic piece of writing, but I don't see that the way others do.
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We Need Strong Leaders
Paul begins this letter to Titus (another church leader and supposed mentee) with instruction, similar like what he told Timothy. In Titus 1:7-8 Paul says "For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined." In other words the church leaders (deacons, pastors, priests, etc) need to not be like "everyone else" so to speak. They need to have a higher sense of morale and hold themselves to a higher standard than many others would. They need to have self control and not be drunkards nor be quick to get angry. When the leaders hold themselves to a higher standard, they set the example for other believers.
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Myths and Passions
In 2 Timothy 4:3-4 Paul tells Timothy how people will be spiritually misled. He says "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." He is telling Timothy that people will be mislead in regards to Biblical teaching. People will believe "myths" because they aren't listening to the right teaching because they want to fulfill their own "passions." In other words if I want to financially prosper then I will fall prey to teaching that contradicts scripture but presents itself as true gospel and subtly will encourage financial hoarding for the sake of self, not to help others. We all need to be careful of the sources and teachers that we use. We also need to read the Bible and seek to understand it as it was presented, not as we want to utilize it.
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You Are Wonderfully Made
Do you know that verse Psalm 139:14 about being wonderfully made? It is a verse that I personally need to look back on and remember when I feel down or low or unhappy about life. I can feel empty emotionally or even relationally and forget that when people let me down (for whatever reason) that God still loves me and I am important to Him.
The verse starts off with "I praise You" which indicates the writer being thankful to God. It is not a sarcastic way of expression like Paul did with the churches when he wrote them letters. But a heart felt praising. When you go through a rough time (and we all have had them) thank God afterwards when it is over. Praise Him for the little things. One little thing I love to praise God for is a parking good spot in my neighborhood. That may sound silly, but if you cannot thank God in the small, how will you even see Him in the bigger things? He is always working for you and to show you how you can be thankful. I have been through some tough times and can see God's hand in those times and for that I praise Him.
Next the psalmist writes "for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." I can figure out what wonderfully made can mean, but what about fearfully? Well, that means having a "fear" of God. I don't mean fear like the fear we have of wild animals but a respectful fear, like what one might have for a parent. To know that you are made to respect God and that God made you wonderful shows how the Lord wants you to honor Him for what He does and what He did.
And lastly, "Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." Acknowledge that you know what God Has done, whether it is large or small, acknowledge God. Imagine if someone bought you a house as a gift and you never thanked them for it. That may sound silly, but throw that same ideology onto God who we know has us fearfully and wonderfully made. How insane is it to not acknowledge God for that? Humble yourself and stop taking credit for everything and acknowledge the work God has done.
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Continue With the Learning
Paul makes a great point in 2 Timothy 3:14. He says to Timothy "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it." In verses 10-13, Paul is commending Timothy for following his example as a mentor and then tells him that Christ followers will be persecuted and that evil people will continue doing what they do being deceived and deceiving others. I think that is (while it is very specific to Timothy) great encouragement to continue in the faith while others will not and try to persuade you not to. I know far too many people who have a problem with me having the faith that I have in an "invisible God." They lack faith and do not understand Jesus's life as I do. But I will continue in my learning of who God is, who Christ is and who I am with the holy spirit.
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Jesus Eats with Sinners
In my many travels (read this article) I came across an image with some text that seemed to be saying that Jesus would endorse/support sin because he ate with sinners. I may have gotten the message a bit mixed up (I doubt it though), but I do think and know that there are people who believe that because Jesus ate with sinners, that it must mean that he accepted their sinful ways as okay to live in and would encourage these sins to continue. I beg to differ and scripture would disagree with that too (that is what is most important). Jesus does not endorse sin. Many look at Jesus and forget why he came to earth and what his purpose was while he was here. I hope I can remind people today that Jesus would not encourage or endorse sinful behavior.
In Mark 2:13-17, Jesus had called Levi to follow him. Levi was a tax collector and they were known to take more taxes and save some for themselves. While eating with Levi and other tax collectors, the Pharisees got upset with Jesus for eating with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus told them that it is not the well, but the sick that needed doctors just as the sinners (the sick) are the ones who needed Jesus. Why would a sinner need Jesus? So that they can follow him. If you love Jesus and what he stood for then understand he was not just a good person, but a servant of God doing the Lord's will while loving the unloving and the sinners.
And remember that Jesus did not want you to sin. Remember the adulteress woman who the Pharisees brought to him to have her stoned according to the law (John 8:1-11)? After he made some markings in the sand, Jesus told the Pharisees whomever had not sinned could cast the first stone. The Pharisees one by one dropped their stones and walked away and could no longer condemn her. When there was no one left to condemn her, Jesus said he didn't condemn her either and that she should "go and sin no more." Jesus wants us to be united with God in Heaven and if we are accepting of God's grace and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior then we get who Jesus is. For those that think that Jesus just accepted everyone and was okay with everything, they still have some reading to do.
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With Gentleness
2 Timothy 2:24 gives us a great example of how servant's of the Lord should be with everyone, not just those we choose, but everyone. In it Paul writes, "And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness." Whether they are believers or non-believers, we are to correct people with gentleness. This verse may be specifically in reference to teaching the Word, but does that mean that the only way it applies is in church. It applies all the time. There is no excuse for disrespecting and insulting others that disagree. Correct the opponents with gentleness.
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Why Are You Saved?
We can forget from time to time and get haughty (prideful) about our salvation thinking that we deserve it, but in all honesty, we do not deserve salvation, i don't think there is any Bible reading believer that can honestly say scripture backs up the belief that we earned our salvation. The truth is, as we have seen through the life of Christ and the words of Paul, our salvation is a gift. You cannot brag to someone about something that someone gave you. A gift is given, while a prize is earned. So, did you earn Jesus through all of your hard work? Or was Jesus's blood shed due to God's grace? That salvation was a gift that you didn't earn. In 2 Timothy 1:9, Paul writes to Timothy about Jesus "who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began..." If that is the one thing I can teach you today, then I am satisfied in that, because in this time many of us have forgotten our gift from God.
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Fight the Good Fight
I know that 1 Timothy 6 is known for its verse on the love of money being the root of all evil. Many think it is money that is evil, but the Word clearly states that it is the love of money that is evil, not the money itself. The Word also clearly states to Timothy (from Paul in verses 11-12) to "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness." Doing this shows our love for God. We can learn from Paul's letter to Timothy to stay strong in the faith and not fall for worldliness.
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Caring for Family and Maturity
Paul gives instruction for how the church ought to operate. There are things in here that I have seen people try to burden the church with, but the family should be the first to tend to a family member's needs before the church. Paul says those that do not provide for their family are worse than unbelievers (1 Timothy 5:8). Paul refers to true widows. Upon further reading from Dave Guzik, true widow meant a widow without children. If she had children, then they should help their mother out. And the part comes up that some may consider sexist, but I think it speaks more to a generalization of younger women during this time than an application for all young women at all times. But on the flip side, I know many people who say in their later years that they had to grow up from who they were when they were younger, which is what it seems like Paul is referring to here in verses 11-15. He says not to enroll/take financial care of younger widows as they have the opportunity to get married again and won't need the help as much as older widows would. But in verse 13 Paul basically calls out the young women for going from house to house (sleeping around), gossiping and being nosy. Paul wants what's best in God's eyes that shows the church to be in good standing.
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Stop Making Excuses
I have heard people say that when they are done living whatever lifestyle they are living or when life calms down then they will go to church, get right with God, read the Bible, etc. I think to myself, why wait? If you really want to do something you will make time for it regardless of what else is going on. People who love to work out will work out. People who love to plant and garden will plant flowers and tend to their garden. If you like working on cars, then you will make time for that. But as for God, many will say it just isn't the right time. There is no good reason as to why you need to wait to reconnect with God. Stop making excuses.
If we don't want to go to church, read the Bible, etc then just say that instead of there is no time for it. We all have 24 hours a day and chose to spend it doing what we want and what are also priorities. If you do not add time with God to your schedule then there will be something else that will come into the mix later and keep you from making time. Some people have said that they will wake up earlier or spend part of their lunch hour reading the Bible. Others listen to sermons while driving to and from work. There is always time, but your choice is has been to do something else.
Do you remember when Jesus went to visit Mary and Martha? Read through Luke 10:38-42 and see how Martha was so distracted doing so many things that that when she realized she was not getting help from her sister, she complained to Jesus who told Martha that Mary had chosen to spend time with him rather than run around doing other "stuff" that was not as important. What ever is important to you will show not just by your words, but also by your actions.
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Paul's Guidance of Timothy
Paul tells Timothy in Chapter 4 some guiding words or advice, if you will. In verses 1-5, Paul tells Timothy about those that will depart from the faith and start believing and teaching things that are not of the faith and kind of making up their own rules, so to speak. Paul said people will forbid marriage and tell you that you cannot eat certain foods, but if you have asked God to bless it, then there is no issue with what you eat.
In verses 6-10 Paul tells Timothy to train himself up in godliness. He says that yes physical training is important, but godliness training far exceeds physical training in importance. Also, in verses 11-16, Paul basically challenges Timothy to stand up for himself as people will tell him he is too young to lead, teach and preach. He tells him to conduct himself in love and purity (godliness). He tells Timothy to practice these things and watch himself. Timothy is going to be a leader and teacher, so if he is not already doing these things, then how will others that he leads follow his example.
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What Do I Get?
There are conversations I have had with people regarding their life situations and the Christ-like, God honoring response to an issue rather than the typically unfiltered human reaction. The question that usually comes from a conversation like that is "But why would I do that?" Basically, they are having an issue with not being encouraged to just respond the way that they are accustomed. They don't see the benefit in responding in a way that honors God or shows that they are a disciple/follower of Christ. I will say this, if you are a Christ follower then your focus should not be on "why be loving" but on "how can I be loving?"
Ask yourself "how do I serve the Kingdom of God (in terms of serving those who are poor and less fortunate). If you do not, can you? Of course you can. Maybe you truly cannot afford to buy the homeless food, but one thing people need is time. Would you ever spare some time? Can you spend some time once a month with the homeless in a shelter or some sort of function? You can. Maybe not the homeless, what about the elderly? Kids? The sick? The poor? There are all types of people who could use financial help or just some time. What can you do? Something. If you need some encouragement, read Proverbs 21:13 and know that when you hear that the poor need help and you answer it benefits you. But do it out of love, not obligation.
What about the problems we have with people? There are ways to respond and ways to not respond. First, think about James 1:19 and remember to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. We might think "But they said 'x-y-z'. I cant let them get away with that. My response is, look at how Jesus responded to the Pharisees. Read through the gospels and examine the responses Jesus had. When he "lost his cool" it was because people were being cheated in the church which was also being used for non church/God things. When it comes to people we have to remember to look at the perspective of not just what is best for us personally, but what benefits others and honors God. In Philippians 2:4 we read "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." In verse 3 Paul writes "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." So when you question "what's in it for me", rethink that and turn it into "how can I honor God?"
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Being an Overseer
When it comes to leadership that is respectable, not everyone is qualified. Some may say that seems or sounds judgemental, but isn't it true? Have you ever had a boss that wasn't a very good leader or a supervisor that was not a very good leader. There are certain qualities and character traits that a leader would need to have to be a good leader for you. In the church, the same type of rules apply. In 1 Timothy 3:1-7 we see that a good overseer must be above reproach, in other words the hold themselves to a high standard that keeps them from trouble. Also a good overseer will only have one wife, not multiple. This could be related to polygamy or numerous marriages or marital fidelity or all three. An overseer is also even temperate, self controlled, etc. If these are the kind of people that we are looking for to lead us at church, then these are also examples of the type of people that we should seek to be around us in our private lives.
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Pray for the Leaders
Based on my Facebook feed, I find that in the year of an election (America is 7 months away from a new president) many people are focused what a good and bad leader. They know what the current President has done wrong and predict what the next President will do right. I wonder how many of us who are upset with the current leadership and are hopeful for the next one or love the current leadership and love or are fearful of the next leader, do you pray for any of them? It is one thing to "pray" someone isn't an idiot, but that is not prayer. Submit and humble yourself to God and unite with other Christ followers and lift up our leaders to the will of God. Sure we cannot make people make certain decisions, but if you have faith in God then you know that prayer can change things. Paul tells us 1 Timothy 2:1-2 that we are to pray for our leaders. So, before you complain about the current or possible future leadership of America or where ever you dwell, did you pray for them?
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Thank Him for Strength
Paul's strength to do his ministries were not of his own accord. He knew that. We should know that our strength to do God's work does not come from our own reserve either. In 1 Timothy 1:12 Paul says " I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service..." We can do the same. While we are not Paul, we do know that God has, does and will continue to appoint those He chooses to do His work. What has he called you to do?
Another note, if we look at Paul's life in whole and not in part we will see that verse 15 that speaks of Paul being the worst sinner is not a verse that many can apply to themselves. I personally, due to my guilt of my own sin, used to wear a t shirt that displayed my guilt as if referenced that verse and being the worst sinner. But, in fact that verse that Paul wrote was in literal reference to himself in regard to him being personally responsible for the death of Christians because they were Christian. So, before you go quoting scripture and applying it to you, make sure it is not one that is specific to just one person and can only or primarily apply to them.
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Do Not Grow Weary
There are times where I really do not want to keep pressing on (sometimes that includes writing this blog day in and day out) but I know that my work in the Lord must continue. God called me to do this, He did not tell me to stop, yet. He did not give me a different assignment, yet. When we are doing the Lord's work it can be tiresome. Serving is not always easy even when it is a strength that you have. In 2 Thessalonians 3:13 Paul tells us not to grow weary in doing good. Sometimes that weariness comes from others not encouraging you, excessive critiquing from others, or sometimes it is not what we wanted out of something. To be honest, there are times I struggled continuing this blog because I was not getting enough response from people. But, I press on in the Lord as I am doing good in His name and know that what I want out of something is not always what is best for the Kingdom. My approval from others has nothing to do with the impact the scripture can have on their hearts and minds...so I press on in the Lord.
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Out With the Old
I'm sure you have heard the saying, "out with the old, in with the new." It is referencing getting rid of old things like junk in the closet, the garage or that old storage unit that sucks up $50 a month from you. I ask you this, is the stuff that you have so worth hanging on to that you will let it waste money in your bank account? Is there space in your house that you could use that is being taken up by junk? Are there habits and attitudes and old ways of thinking that are keeping you from being a stronger follower of Christ?
I know that sometimes these verse may not make much sense, but the context of them does help explain them. For instance, in Romans 6:4, (see the image below) sounds like a bunch of mumbo jumbo, but it is telling you that the act of baptism is a representation of the death of the old way and the birth of the new way. The old is apart from Christ while the new is walking with him. I can tell you from my own personal experiences that after my baptism I still did things that I knew were not right in God's eyes, but it took some time to over come that. But that can be part of the process. We do have to be mindful of that and not let it become an excuse to stay in the old, but as a reminder to walk in the new.
One of my favorite illustrations is in regard to the new wine being poured into old wineskins found in Matthew 9:14-17. New wins being poured into an old wineskin would be a waste as the process that created the new wine would make the old bag expand past its limits and burst/break. Therefore the new wine would spill and the old bag would be useless. God's blessing cannot be poured into your life with old ways of thinking, being and behaving. You have to submit to the will of God. There will be some changes but they are for your own good for God's glory.
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