We who preach grace like to attract traces between the outdated and new covenants. We are saying issues like, “Within the outdated covenant, the emphasis was do, do, do, however within the new it’s finished, finished, finished.”
We discuss how every little thing modified after the cross, and the way we’re now not below legislation however grace.
As an alternative of encouraging individuals to make guarantees to God, we proclaim God’s guarantees to us.
We ask questions like, “what makes the brand new covenant new?”
As a brand new covenant preacher, I like these types of contrasts. Clear traces within the sand illuminate the way in which of grace whereas warning us to beware useless works.
With that in thoughts, I wish to counsel what could also be a very powerful phrase within the new covenant. (When you’ve got a distinct suggestion let me know within the feedback.) Crucial phrase is discovered on this verse:
Subsequently as you may have acquired Christ Jesus the Lord, so stroll in him. (Colossians 2:6)
Within the outdated covenant we gave, however within the new covenant we obtain.
We obtain the phrase (Mark 4:16), we obtain love (1 John 4:19), we obtain grace (Rom. 5:17), we obtain religion (2 Pet. 1:1), we obtain salvation (Rom. 6:23), we obtain Christ (Col. 2:6), we obtain the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), we obtain righteousness (Rom. 5:17), we obtain peace (John 14:27), we obtain knowledge (Jas. 1:5), we obtain the crown of life (Jas. 1:12), we obtain the reward of our inheritance (Col. 3:24), and we obtain relaxation (Matt. 11:28–29).
Do you see?
Within the new covenant, each blessing involves us as a free reward from God. Realizing what you may have acquired will hold you from being deceived.
And being deceived is the hazard.
Learn the above verse in context and one can find it comes after a warning about not being led astray by persuasive arguments (Col. 2:4). We have to take care that we’re not seduced by those that promote humanistic philosophy (Col. 2:8), non secular guidelines and rituals (Col. 2:16–18, 20–23), and mystical visions (Col. 2:18).
How will we defend ourselves from being deceived?
“You started your stroll by trusting Christ,” says Paul. “Hold doing that” (see Col. 1:23). To your religion, add no useless works, no sacrifices, and no guidelines.
Having acquired Christ by religion, stroll in him by religion. It’s religion from first to final.
You may say that “religion” is a very powerful phrase within the new covenant. Religion is actually important. However individuals can get so hung up on religion (do I’ve sufficient religion? do I would like extra?) that they take their eyes off Jesus.
However with the phrase “obtain,” the main target stays squarely on the Giver.
Jesus was usually reminding the disciples to obtain. “Ask and also you shall obtain” (John 16:24). “Everybody who asks receives” (Matt. 7:8). “He who receives me receives him who despatched me” (John 13:20). “Whoever doesn’t obtain the dominion of God like a baby won’t enter it in any respect” (Luke 18:17). “Obtain the Holy Spirit (John 20:22).
The brand new covenant shouldn’t be about what you’ll do or give to God. It’s about what God has finished and given to you. He has given you his Son, his love, his acceptance, his favor, his peace, and every little thing you’ll ever want.
The one query that continues to be is that this: Have you ever acquired from the abundance of God’s grace, and are you persevering with to obtain?
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