Imagine a boat that was not cared for. The paint is chipped and water is able to seep into the wood. At first you don’t notice, for the wood has a natural resistance, but over time it takes on water…

And begins to rot.

As it rots, it begins to leak

As it leaks, it begins to sink.

If not cared for and tended, with great measures taken, it will  eventually be worthless and not even able to do what it was created to do. But you cannot just paint over it to preserve it. You have to cut away and restore it. Cut out the rot and completely renew or renovate it. Then and only then, when it is brand new in structure, can you paint and beautify the outside and put it to good service and use.

The work must be done on the inside, the core structure, before the outward appearance can change.

“–No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it upon an old garment; if he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.” Luke 5:36-38

“‘And he said, “What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All These evil things come from within, and they defile a man.'” Mark 7:20-23

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not they holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”Ps. 51:10-12

“Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, every one who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not continue in the house for ever; the son continues for ever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:34-36

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to thy word. With my whole heart I seek thee; let me not wander from thy commandments! I have laid up thy word in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Ps. 119:9-11