Are you accustomed to Biblical covenants? Studying the Bible with out understanding covenant is like going to a medication cupboard when you find yourself in poor health and swallowing no matter tablets you discover. You would possibly get higher, otherwise you would possibly get sick and die.
All drugs is sweet, however not all drugs is sweet for you.
Within the Bible there are not less than 5 covenants between God and man. However the two biggies are these by which we divide the scriptures, the Previous and New Testaments, or the outdated and new covenants.
(Professional tip; the outdated covenant doesn’t start in Genesis 1 and the brand new covenant doesn’t start in Matthew 1. The outdated covenant started at Mt Sinai, whereas the brand new covenant started at Mt Calvary.)
The outdated vs the brand new covenant
Understanding the distinction between the outdated and new covenants is crucial if we’re to rightly divide the scriptures:
- Previous covenant: Man makes guarantees to God and breaks them repeatedly
- New covenant: God makes guarantees to himself and retains them eternally
On the foot of Mt Sinai the Israelites boasted:
We are going to do every thing the Lord instructions. (Exodus 19:8)
What a silly boast! What the legislation calls for you can not present. Your flesh is incapable of delivering an ideal efficiency – which is the entire level of the law-keeping covenant.
The legislation will not be your ladder to success however your quick monitor to failure. The legislation is designed to humble the proud and silence the boastful so that each one might even see their want for grace.
In distinction with the outdated covenant, the brand new covenant relies on God’s unbreakable guarantees to us.
I’ll make an eternal covenant with them: I’ll by no means cease doing good to them, and I’ll encourage them to concern me, in order that they are going to by no means flip away from me. (Jeremiah 32:40)
The distinction between the outdated and the brand new is we are going to versus he’ll.
Within the outdated, we broke our phrase repeatedly, however within the new God retains his phrase eternally. We not wobble on the shaky floor of our resolve, however we stand safe on the Rock of Ages.
When you’ve got been making and breaking guarantees to God, surrender. Repent of your delight, cease saying “I’ll,” and put your religion in the “I wills” of God.
Studying scripture by a brand new covenant lens
Jesus’ dying on the cross was the one most necessary occasion in historical past. It caused a conclusion or finish to the outdated covenant and it ushered within the new covenant.
What’s the new covenant? The brand new covenant is a covenant of grace the place God blesses us with new life and divine favor for no purpose apart from it pleases him to take action.
Earlier than the cross the outdated legislation covenant reigned, however after the cross a brand new covenant primarily based on grace made the outdated covenant out of date (Heb. 8:13). Underneath the outdated covenant you had been blessed for those who had been good, however underneath the brand new covenant we’re blessed as a result of he’s good.
When studying any scripture within the Bible we have to ask, what does this passage imply in gentle of the cross? Take into account these contrasts from scripture:
- Earlier than the cross we had been blessed after we obeyed and cursed after we disobeyed (Deu. 11:26–28). However after the cross we’re blessed as a result of we’re forgiven (Rom. 4:8) and we’re redeemed from the curse of the legislation (Gal. 3:13).
- Earlier than the cross we forgave as a way to earn God’s forgiveness (Matt. 6:14). However on the cross we had been unconditionally forgiven and we now forgive as a result of Christ has forgiven us (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13).
- Earlier than the cross loving your neighbor meant not coveting his spouse or property (Deu. 5:21). However after the cross we love and settle for others as a result of Christ loves and accepts us (1 John 4:19; Rom. 15:7).
- Earlier than the cross God was distant and unapproachable (Ex. 19:12). However due to the cross we’ve been introduced close to to God to obtain mercy and discover grace (Eph. 2:13; Heb. 4:16).
Extra contrasts between the outdated and new covenant will be discovered within the desk beneath. (Click on the picture to obtain a printable PDF.)
In each manner, the brand new covenant is superior to the outdated:
- The outdated covenant failed as a result of it hinged in your imperfect obedience, however the brand new covenant endures as a result of it’s based on Christ’s excellent obedience unto dying.
- The outdated covenant says you’ll be blessed for those who do good, however the brand new declares we’re blessed as a result of God is sweet.
- The outdated covenant warns that you’ll be punished for those who do unhealthy, however the brand new declares that in Christ you’re eternally unpunishable.
Thank God for the brand new covenant of his grace!
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One option to keep away from covenant confusion is to learn the Bible with the help of a brand new covenant commentary. Right here’s one:
