By: Denny

If you have a cell phone, iPad, computer, smart TV, or other electronic communications device, you have probably received this notification: “Updates Available”. You may also get alerts that you are running an older version and need to install the latest upgraded version. Sometimes your device is so outdated it can’t be upgraded to a newer version because there isn’t enough memory, or the newer version isn’t compatible with your old device. Technology is ever changing and doesn’t remain stagnant. You need to go with the flow in order to keep up with the latest and newest innovations. It seems they’re always wanting you to upgrade to a new and improved model. When they mandated TV stations to broadcast programs digitally, the good old analog TVs were worthless, except to watch movies on using your also obsolete VHS player. When ResMed cancelled their 3G network and upgraded to 5G, my perfectly good CPAP 10 machine which worked wonderfully could no longer communicate with the app. I couldn’t monitor or print my sleep history. I had to upgrade to a new 5G machine, which in my opinion is not as good as my old one. Even cars these days have become so computerized that the average do-it-yourself weekend mechanic can’t work on them.

Using the basic template I just mentioned concerning updates and applying them to the Bible, helps us to understand God’s word and His Kingdom. For instance, in John 3:3-7 Jesus was telling Nicodemus that one must be born again, otherwise you can’t see or enter the Kingdom of God. In computer terminology, the old version of ritualistic religious ceremonies and sacrifices was no longer acceptable to God, nor could it forgive sins. When Jesus died on the cross his sacrifice of giving his body and shedding his blood, was the instant the new covenant (version) became available and was in effect. It was like switching from analog to digital spiritually. Over and over Jesus tried to explain this through his teachings and use of parables. Many believed, and in a manner of speaking, they downloaded and installed the new version, not on a device, but in their hearts. Others were like the Pharisees who rejected Jesus, being so set in their worthless traditions. God was upgrading to 5G, and they were quite resolute in keeping their 3G thinking it was better, but not knowing it was no longer useful, adequate, or acceptable to God. In Luke 5:37-39 this is exactly what Jesus was saying when telling the parable of the wineskins. “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; For he says, “The old is better.” The whole system of do-it-yourself religious works was obsolete and incompatible with the new version upgrade God was offering, but they liked the old better to their own detriment.

God’s plan of salvation does not and will not change, neither does the operating system of His Kingdom principles. Jesus Christ is the only true way to God. Sadly, many people are coming up with so-called new versions of Jesus these days. Once downloaded and installed into your life, they are like a malicious malware virus that wreaks havoc, because they aren’t based on truth. I mentioned previously how technology is ever changing and does not remain stagnant, and so it is with God. He is ever doing wondrous works in the world and inviting people to partner with him. However, you must be using the newest version and update it daily through prayer and reading His word to know what He’s doing. There is an interesting portion of scripture in Ezekiel 47:1-12. It talks about a river which flows from the temple. It has measured depths symbolic of the Holy Spirit and your personal walk and relationship with God in various stages. The river gives life and healing wherever it flows, but the swamps and marshes will not be healed or give life. Swamps and marshes are places where the river once flowed, but the river changed directions leaving behind water now stagnant and dead. Such is the sad condition of many churches and the people who attend them. Does that statement offend you? Maybe you need to check your heart and verify that you’re running the true gospel version. If not, you need to install it by accepting Christ as your savior and remain current on updates that are available.