A New Covenant!

There are two major covenants in the Bible. One is the Mosaic covenant which is a covenant of law, this was conditional. God said do this, obey and he will bless, failure to obey violated his conditions and punishment followed. the New Testaments covenant is one of blood but based on mercy and grace, it is unconditional. We receive the mercy and blessings of God not because of anything we do but because of what Christ did at on a cross at Calvary. As believers in the New Covenant we operate under grace by which good works are a result. Under the Law (Old covenant) good works were done to receive Gods favor yet there still had to be a sacrifice for sin. As it says that almost all things are cleansed by blood, in: (Jeremiah 31:31-34: Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. As quoted in Hebrews 8:7-12. This is a permanent or eternal forgiveness of sin. (Hebrews 7:18: “For on one hand there was an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,”) and in: (Hebrews 8:7-8 “For if the first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.” 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: ) Hebrews 8:9-13 repeats what was said in Jeremiah 31:31-34 as we just read above!
The Mosaic Covenant, the law or as it is known as the torah was becoming old (by use or maybe we should say misuse, it was worn out) and vanishing away in Jeremiah’s time, this represents the flesh, It vanished away with the death of Christ. Read Hebrews 8. So it is distinct from the Old Covenant, this is carnal. What it couldn’t accomplish Christ accomplished, this is the spiritual.
The New Covenant is an arrangement of one party made for another. to either accept or reject. If accepted one is obligated to keep its terms. there is no altering or changing it since it is God who made it and keeps it. Entering into a covenant with God means that he is committed to you. (John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.) He gives us eternal life, its a gift which lasts forever.
Once again: The Old Testament covenant is a revelation of the holiness of God in the righteous requirement and standard of the law. Which was a conditional covenant.
The New Testament covenant is a revelation of the holiness of God in a righteous Son Jesus Christ who empowers those who, believe and receive it to become adopted children of God. Once again, this was a unconditional Covenant The purpose of this new Covenant is to do what the Old Testament covenant could not.
The New Covenant is based on the shed blood which signed and sealed the covenant under the Mosaic covenant the shed blood of animals could only cover sins temporarily, in: (Hebrews 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.). Under the New Covenant he did it once for all, we are fully and permanently forgiven in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;) and in: (Colossians 2:13 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.).
God gives the believer the power to live his standard by the new birth. he gives the Holy Spirit to indwell in every true believer. (Romans 8:2-4 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.)
When Christ died the believer’s position from the New Covenant changed.
1. We were crucified with Christ, as told in: (Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.)
2. When he died the law died with him and so did we, in: (Colossians 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,)
3. We were buried with him, in: (Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.)
4. We were made alive with him by His resurrection, in: (Ephesians 2:5 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:) and in: (Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.)
5. we were made joint heirs with Christ and will be glorified with him, in: (Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.)
The New covenant involves blood. It is enforced by the death of the testator and operated by grace.
1. Blood purchased us, in: (Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God) and in: (Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;)
2. Bought with his blood, in: (1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.); (1Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:); (Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:) and in: (Hebrews 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.)
3. Jesus has become that New covenant, in: (Hebrews 9:15-16 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.); (Hebrews 9:12-12 “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”) and in: (Romans 5:9 “Much more then having now been justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him.”) He is our all in all, in: (John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.)
It was to enable gentiles to also become partakers of the spiritual blessings, in: (Ephesians 3:5-6 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:)
In the new Covenant there is the law of Christ. While the Mosaic covenant had many commandments the law of Christ repeats them all except one (the Sabbath). There are also many changes. Example: Under the Mosaic Covenant some meats were unclean and could not be eaten, under the New covenant all meats are clean and are ok for consumption.
Many of the commandments in the New Testament are intensified. In the Mosaic: (Leviticus 19:8 “Love your neighbor as yourself.”) In the New covenant: (John l5:13 “Love your neighbor even as I have loved you.” ) This amplified the meaning of the law with Christ as the standard.
Today if one obeys “you shall not steal” It’s not because of the Mosaic but because Christ said it. We operate from a new law under Christ who is our instructor through and by the Holy Spirit of God..
When Christ died on the cross, the law of Moses which was temporary was done away with, in: (Romans 10:4 “Christ is the end of the law for all who believe.”); and in: (Collisions 2:14-17 “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an Holy day, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”)
(Ephesians 2:14-15 ” Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of the two one new man’ so making peace;”) It matters not whether you are a Jew or a gentile, Jesus died to take down the barriers’ that were once between each man and God! (Galatians 2:19-21 “For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”) Paul says when he received salvation he died through the law, the law kills. He has now been spiritually raised to new life so he can live to God. He is given life by the law of the spirit that is superior to the law that could only bring death. (Romans 8:2-4 “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.)
We can’t reform our old nature. man does not have the ability only the Holy Spirit of God can perform this work. The Bible teaches that we must crucify the flesh the old nature and live and operate through the new nature. This comes from the inside out not from the outside, in: (Romans 6:6 it states that our old man was crucified with him that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.”) and in: (Galatians 3:11-13 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.” However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us– for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.”) In other words, If a man chooses to live by the law, he must not break it in any form or fashion. But no one has or ever will be able to do so, that is except for Jesus, He did it all. That’s why He is our righteousness!!
When Christ died there were a number of things that took place.
His death was a propitiation this means the wrath of God was satisfied God the father poured out his anger and punishment against sin on his son. In: (Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God,); (l John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.) and in: (l John 4: 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.)
We have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness into light (Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:) and in: (Hebrews 2:14-15 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.) it is the inheritance for those who have chosen Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
All of our sins were forgiven because when Christ died they were all in the future. The believers past, present, and future sins were totally forgiven so that there is no sin that can cause him to lose his salvation. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit of God is not done by anyone who truly believes so it is not so relevant to those who are in Christ.
All our sins are forgiven (Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;): in: (Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:) and in: (Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;) This means eternal life is a present possession and future possession. If it was only for now it would not be eternal. if it was future than we would not possess it now which means we would not have the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us, who is present in every true believer. So:
1. We are adopted (Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.) and in: (Galatians 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.)
2. We are regenerated or made new, in: (John 3:5-6 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.) and in: (Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;)
3. Put in the body (1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.) and in: (Romans 6:1-10 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.)
4. Indwelt by the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?) and in: (1 Corinthians 6:19 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.)
5. Sealed till the day he comes for us (2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.); (Ephesians 1:3-14 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.); (Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.) and in: (Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;).
We are told in: Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.); (Hebrews 10: 17-18 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin..) and in: (Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.).
We were given a new nature. We’ve gone from the nature of Adam to the nature of Christ. We now have the power by the Holy Spirit to rule over the old nature that had us sin but the choice is still up to us with every decision we make, in: (Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.) and in: (Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:).
In Closing: Without Gods Holy Spirit guiding and leading you, there is no way that you can even understand the Old Testament anyway, in: (2 Corinthians 3:14-15 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart.) and in: (Romans 11:8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.) That is why Jesus says in: (Matthew 13:15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.)
This all because of the New covenant accomplishing something that the old covenant could never deliver. “True Salvation” or an individual like you and me being reunited with God.
AMEN!!!!!
Love you in <(Christ Jesus)>< pastor winston