Jesus used the following parable to reveal an important spiritual truth ...
No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. Mark 2:21
The Lord’s point was that the Gospel of repentance and forgiveness could not be patched into the tattered cloak of Judaism ... for it had become a superficial, legalistic religion; moth-eaten and threadbare. It is important to note that Jesus was not referring to the Mosaic law ...
Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Matthew 5:17
Christ did not come to 'reform' religion, but 'replace' it. The salvation that comes by grace through faith could never be combined with the 'works-righteousness' of the Pharisees.
This message is relevant because the sufficiency of Christ has been rejected by today's organized religions. Doctrines of men that focus on self-awareness, denominational rules of behavior, and a morality based on human effort have driven mankind away from the Truth.
False prophets attempt to sew the Gospel of Jesus Christ onto the filthy, defiled garment of a corrupt religious system.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8
'Religion' taps into the inherent pride that makes a man want to play a part in his own salvation. But know this ... it is impossible to apply the message of the cross to an egocentric life. Surrendering everything to the Lordship of Jesus Christ is the only way to experience eternity with Him.
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