Matthew 9:17 is a verse that speaks to the importance of embracing new life and new ways of thinking in Christ. It reads, “Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. But they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

This verse is significant for Christians today because it reminds us that the old ways of living, the old patterns of sin, and the old ways of thinking cannot contain the new life that Jesus offers. Just as new wine would burst an old wineskin, trying to live a new life in Christ while clinging to old ways of thinking and behaving will only lead to frustration and disappointment.

Instead, we must embrace new ways of thinking and living, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our minds and hearts. This means letting go of old habits, old hurts, and old ways of seeing the world. It means embracing the new life that Jesus offers, which is characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

In practical terms, this means seeking to live a life that is characterized by love for God and neighbor, by forgiveness, by service to others, and by a commitment to living out the teachings of Jesus. It means being willing to change, to grow, and to be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In conclusion, Matthew 9:17 is a powerful reminder that the new life that Jesus offers is incompatible with the old ways of living. We must embrace new ways of thinking and living, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us into the people that God created us to be.