Many years ago, when on the
staff of a large church, I was caught off guard one day in the work room by the
Church Receptionist. She quizzed me about my relationship with Ellen
Taylor, a well-known girl in the church. We were secretly dating because
I was the Youth Minister. So, we were trying to keep it under wraps.
Though I tried to to play it off, the Receptionist realized something was
up because she said, "You talk about her differently than anyone
else".
I'm so glad God forgave me for
lying that day because though I denied we were dating, I was caught!
Yet, my entire demeanor changed when I spoke of her. I just could
not hide the love and joy I felt when I talked about Ellen Taylor, compared to
other people. My face lit up every time I spoke about her.
When you and I talk about Jesus
and the New Covenant, people may very well notice that we light up too.
Why? Because through The New Covenant, He transforms us so much more than
the Old Covenant every could! I think you will appreciate more of what I
mean as we compare the two.
|
Old Covenant
(Also
referred to as the
Mosaic or
Law Covenant)
|
New Covenant
(Also
referred to as the
Grace Covenant)
|
|
God related to Israel as their King , Father and Husband
1 Samuel 8:7; Deuteronomy 32:6, Jeremiah 31:31-32
Binding Vows: God promised that He would do His part as long as Israel did their part. Deuteronomy 28
|
God relates to you as your King, Father and Husband.
1Timothy 1:17; Romans 8:15; Ephesians 5: 21-22
Binding Vows: God has promised that He
would do His part and your part. He continues to do your part as you rely on Jesus to live in and through you. Jeremiah
31:31-34, Galatians 2:20
|
|
Responsibilities: The 10
Commandments were written by God on tablets of stone.
Exodus 22
|
Responsibilities: God wrote His law on your heart. This gave you your identity in Christ. Hebrews
10:16
|
|
Blessings:
...Were given by God based
on one condition -
their obedience. Deuteronomy 28 (1/5 of the chapter is
blessings; 4/5 is curses.)
...God was in the
Tabernacle
and later the Temple.
Each Jew
could get close to God only
once
a year, Yom Kippur, when he
or
she was represented by the
High Priest in the Holy of Holies. Exodus 40:34-35; Leviticus 16
...God lived near Israel in
the
Holy of Holies. Leviticus 16:2
...God gave temporary
forgiveness based on
their
most recent sacrifice. Leviticus
|
Blessings:
...God blessed you with all
your blessings in Christ the moment you believed. The only condition is
faith in Christ. Ephesians
1:3, 2:7-8 (No curses under The New
Covenant!)
...God is in you and you
can't get any closer to God than that! Galatians 2:20
...God lives very much at home in your spirit, the new Holy of
Holies. 1Corinthians 6:17 and
19.
...God gave you eternal forgiveness for your past, present and
future sins, based on Jesus' sacrifice. Colossians 2:13
|
|
The Cutting of the Covenant:
The sacrificial system was the continuous
"cutting of
the covenant". It was also a constant reminder of their
sins. Hebrews 9:18-20
|
The Cutting of the Covenant:
This covenant was "cut" by the death of Jesus Christ
that you "walked into" with God. Romans 6:3-6; Galatians 2:20
|
|
The Covenant Meal: The Passover Exodus 12
|
The Covenant Meal: The Lord's Supper.
(Some know it as Communion or the Eucharist). Matthew 26:27
|
|
The Sign of the Covenant:
Circumcision for men only (the ladies said,"Hallelujah") which covered their
entire family. Leviticus 12:2-3
|
The Sign of the Covenant:
Baptism for each individual including men as well as women. Acts 10
|
Are you beginning to understand
how much better the New Covenant is compared to the Old Covenant? "Thank
you God for Your New Covenant that You have so richly provided for us in
Christ! What good news!"
"But the ministry Jesus
has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator
is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises."
Hebrew 6:6 NIV
Believe it! It's the
Gospel!
Live free in Christ,
Mark Maulding, President and Founder
www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2014 Mark Maulding
No comments:
Post a Comment