In this chapter, we will close this series. We have written a lot about old covenant so if you have read the previous parts, you can clearly say what old covenant is all about, why it was given and what is the perception of Jews and Israelites about the law. Let's see more about the new covenant. But, before getting into the new covenant, let's see what is the purpose of law. As per Galatians, law is equivalent to the school master to govern things until the new covenant comes in. Law consists of list of commandments that the Israelites have to obey and if they didn't it was a sin. We have also seen the goal of the commandment is love. The purpose is to have the love of God (Agape) in the heart and mind of humans as well. That is the crux of the ten commandments, to love the God with full heart, mind and strength and to love others as one love himself. But, the law was all about rules and it cannot bring that Agape love in the hearts of people because sin was at rule inside the individual. So, we saw they literally fulfilled the commandments to some extent but didn't follow them with their full heart. So, they often failed.
We can illustrate this by simple example of following traffic rules. If we are just afraid of being fined, then we will always check if there is a traffic cop standing nearby and if we find one, we will tend to follow the rules (like don't over speed, follow signal). But, if we don't find one, then we will violate the traffic rules. But, if you decide, no matter what, you want to follow all the rules and regulations, then irrespective of whether there is a police man or not, you will follow all the rules. Law was exactly like the first way of following commandments because Israelites were afraid of getting punished. But, God wanted a second way of doing it, that is by Agape love which is not possible for humans because of sins. God says this in Genesis 8:21, "for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth".
Let's see how new covenant accomplishes God's expectations whereas man's shortcoming of abiding with God's expectations. First, let's see what is new covenant. In last chapter, we saw the old covenant is about being the children of God and inheriting God's possessions through circumcision that was handed to Abraham and applicable to only Abraham's bloodline (can say Jacob's lineage). But, the new covenant says "But as many as received him (Lord Jesus Christ), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12,13. So, anyone who believes and accepts Jesus Christ to be his Lord and Savior become the son/daughter of almighty God. This is what new covenant is all about. We need to have faith in Jesus to accept Him and by believing Jesus we are automatically becoming the children of Abraham. Bible calls Jesus as the mediator of the new covenant. "And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant" Hebrews 12:24. Because, He is God in human form, He abolished the old covenant through His death on cross and established the new covenant through His pierced body and spilled blood. Jesus created this during His last supper with His disciples "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." Matt 26:26-28. This is mentioned in other gospels as well. Let's realize the importance of communion, every time when we observe it we remind ourselves of the new covenant that our Lord made for us. Let's remember the extent of suffering He had gone through to save us, to be with us. Praises to Him and thank Him for all His mercies. Please take a moment and show Him your love and gratitude. Humble yourself before Him and say "Thank you Jesus".
We understood the new covenant and we are also children along with Israelites. But, don't we need to obey the commandments? Do we satisfy God's expectation automatically? To answer this questions, we need to understand the third person of the trinity, the Holy Spirit. By accepting Jesus, we are born again through Holy Spirit. I wrote a lot about this in my New Creation series. God promised the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him and accepts Jesus Christ. When Holy Spirit comes to you, He started living the holy and fruitful life in you and starts fulfilling every requirement of God in your day to day life. Let's see what Paul says about satisfying the God's requirement of Agape love. "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Romans 5:5. With Holy Spirit, we not only fulfill the commandments of God but started to live a life pleasing Lord altogether.
We saw in last post about Jesus' sermon on the mount and his teachings about lust and murder. With Holy Spirit living inside you, our master who taught that commandment, Jesus Himself lives inside you. So, you can follow those impossible commandments with ease. That is the power of Holy Spirit. That's why Jesus said, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." John 16:13. So, we don't falter like the Jews and Israelites. As the Holy Spirit gives the power to overcome sins, we can continue to walk in the light. I had written a lot about Holy Spirit in my New creation series and will resume to write further in that series.
Remember, we are obliged to fulfill the commandments in old covenants. Because, the law and ten commandments say, "You shall do" and "You shall not do this". But, under new covenant, God is obliged to do things on our behalf. Under new covenant, God says, "I will give you new heart" and "I will make you walk in my ways". Hope this is clear. Let us ask the question ourselves, are we living under old covenant or new covenant? How do we see the salvation? Do we think that we get salvation through our works or by faith? Do you want to satisfy Lord through your good things? Now, if you read the book of Galatians, you will understand it fully. Paul says "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." Gal 3:10-14. Very plain, isn't it? This is stressed in Romans 8:13,14 as well. "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Same chapter verse 9 says "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Jesus said the same in John 3 to Nicodemus, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." v3 and "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." v6.
Hope I covered most of the points with respect to old covenant and new covenant. Having said that, I will touch and revisit whenever there is a need in future chapters. As the children of new covenant, we enjoy every spiritual blessing, blessings of the old covenant as well, promises of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we are the children of most holy high God. We are the church of God and the bride of Christ, we have the fullness of Holy Spirit, we own everything. We are more and more special than orthodox Jews or Israelites by our faith in Lord Jesus Christ. He made us kings and priests before His Father through His blood. But, having said that, in this earthly life, we take part in His sufferings and tribulations too. Let's see to that in our next chapter Tests, Trials and Temptations. As the Holy Spirit instructs, I have to finish just two more chapters and then resume back the New creation series which I paused during the holy week this year. Understanding the epistles of Romans, Galatians and Hebrews is very important to lead a successful Christian life. We have to read, re-read and meditate to imbibe those spiritual truths. May the Holy Spirit give you the light when you read and meditate the Word of God. I pronounce the blessings on you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Love you all brethren. All glory, honor and praise to God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
We can illustrate this by simple example of following traffic rules. If we are just afraid of being fined, then we will always check if there is a traffic cop standing nearby and if we find one, we will tend to follow the rules (like don't over speed, follow signal). But, if we don't find one, then we will violate the traffic rules. But, if you decide, no matter what, you want to follow all the rules and regulations, then irrespective of whether there is a police man or not, you will follow all the rules. Law was exactly like the first way of following commandments because Israelites were afraid of getting punished. But, God wanted a second way of doing it, that is by Agape love which is not possible for humans because of sins. God says this in Genesis 8:21, "for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth".
Let's see how new covenant accomplishes God's expectations whereas man's shortcoming of abiding with God's expectations. First, let's see what is new covenant. In last chapter, we saw the old covenant is about being the children of God and inheriting God's possessions through circumcision that was handed to Abraham and applicable to only Abraham's bloodline (can say Jacob's lineage). But, the new covenant says "But as many as received him (Lord Jesus Christ), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12,13. So, anyone who believes and accepts Jesus Christ to be his Lord and Savior become the son/daughter of almighty God. This is what new covenant is all about. We need to have faith in Jesus to accept Him and by believing Jesus we are automatically becoming the children of Abraham. Bible calls Jesus as the mediator of the new covenant. "And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant" Hebrews 12:24. Because, He is God in human form, He abolished the old covenant through His death on cross and established the new covenant through His pierced body and spilled blood. Jesus created this during His last supper with His disciples "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." Matt 26:26-28. This is mentioned in other gospels as well. Let's realize the importance of communion, every time when we observe it we remind ourselves of the new covenant that our Lord made for us. Let's remember the extent of suffering He had gone through to save us, to be with us. Praises to Him and thank Him for all His mercies. Please take a moment and show Him your love and gratitude. Humble yourself before Him and say "Thank you Jesus".
We understood the new covenant and we are also children along with Israelites. But, don't we need to obey the commandments? Do we satisfy God's expectation automatically? To answer this questions, we need to understand the third person of the trinity, the Holy Spirit. By accepting Jesus, we are born again through Holy Spirit. I wrote a lot about this in my New Creation series. God promised the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him and accepts Jesus Christ. When Holy Spirit comes to you, He started living the holy and fruitful life in you and starts fulfilling every requirement of God in your day to day life. Let's see what Paul says about satisfying the God's requirement of Agape love. "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Romans 5:5. With Holy Spirit, we not only fulfill the commandments of God but started to live a life pleasing Lord altogether.
We saw in last post about Jesus' sermon on the mount and his teachings about lust and murder. With Holy Spirit living inside you, our master who taught that commandment, Jesus Himself lives inside you. So, you can follow those impossible commandments with ease. That is the power of Holy Spirit. That's why Jesus said, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." John 16:13. So, we don't falter like the Jews and Israelites. As the Holy Spirit gives the power to overcome sins, we can continue to walk in the light. I had written a lot about Holy Spirit in my New creation series and will resume to write further in that series.
Remember, we are obliged to fulfill the commandments in old covenants. Because, the law and ten commandments say, "You shall do" and "You shall not do this". But, under new covenant, God is obliged to do things on our behalf. Under new covenant, God says, "I will give you new heart" and "I will make you walk in my ways". Hope this is clear. Let us ask the question ourselves, are we living under old covenant or new covenant? How do we see the salvation? Do we think that we get salvation through our works or by faith? Do you want to satisfy Lord through your good things? Now, if you read the book of Galatians, you will understand it fully. Paul says "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." Gal 3:10-14. Very plain, isn't it? This is stressed in Romans 8:13,14 as well. "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Same chapter verse 9 says "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Jesus said the same in John 3 to Nicodemus, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." v3 and "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." v6.
Hope I covered most of the points with respect to old covenant and new covenant. Having said that, I will touch and revisit whenever there is a need in future chapters. As the children of new covenant, we enjoy every spiritual blessing, blessings of the old covenant as well, promises of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we are the children of most holy high God. We are the church of God and the bride of Christ, we have the fullness of Holy Spirit, we own everything. We are more and more special than orthodox Jews or Israelites by our faith in Lord Jesus Christ. He made us kings and priests before His Father through His blood. But, having said that, in this earthly life, we take part in His sufferings and tribulations too. Let's see to that in our next chapter Tests, Trials and Temptations. As the Holy Spirit instructs, I have to finish just two more chapters and then resume back the New creation series which I paused during the holy week this year. Understanding the epistles of Romans, Galatians and Hebrews is very important to lead a successful Christian life. We have to read, re-read and meditate to imbibe those spiritual truths. May the Holy Spirit give you the light when you read and meditate the Word of God. I pronounce the blessings on you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Love you all brethren. All glory, honor and praise to God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
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