Consider…
If you are averse to that which is new, give this some thought. Instead of having the gospels and the epistles of Paul and others, the Bible would end after Malachi. Technically the index, maps, and concordance, but I’m fairly certain they were added to the text after the first century. I love me some Mali. That’s what I call him. We’re tight like that. But the last thing we want or need is only the old testament, or as we would call it, the testament. We read in Hebrews 8 that “if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.” The new covenant, as revealed in the new testament, is simply better. “But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.” (Heb. 8:6) Oftentimes, new is not just different. It is, as we read, more excellent; better. Who doesn’t want their lives, relationships, work, and leisure to be more excellent; better? We can’t allow ourselves to be satisfied or comfortable with the way things are if they are keeping us from that which is more excellent, even better, especially when the new advances God’s kingdom.
Pray…
Lord, Help me to embrace every new thing You desire to accomplish in my life, even at the expense of great personal sacrifice (Phil. 3:8). I want to perceive the new thing that You are doing (Isa. 43:19) in the new heart You have given me (Eze. 36:26). Compel me to put off the old self and put on the new (Eph. 4:22-24), and to press on toward Your call for my life (Phil. 3:13-14).
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Exception To The Rule…
Some of you may remember New Coke. It was not good. And it was hated.