This Time of Grace - Part 857

"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?" (I Thessalonians 2:2-19-20)

Knowing the difference between the old and new is critical to understanding the scriptures.The covenant in the old and His last will and testament in the new were established so that we could freely worship our Lord God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. But in the old covenant, the people failed.

So, God decided -- even before the world was formed -- to establish a new agreement founded on His love and mercy that does not have its foundation in the trenches of legalism and world order. This explains why we as believers in Jesus are subject only to the law of love, as commanded by Jesus. The first and second commandment for us then is to love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind, and similarly, to love our neighbour as ourself." (Matthew 22:35-39; Mark 12:28-31)

Beyond this, we are not subject to the letter of law (or covenant agreement) whose sole purpose is to keep Jesus believers from preaching and teaching the Word -- via a worldly spirit that seeks to keep the gospel hidden.

The apostles warned us of false deceivers in these latter days. Peter wrote, "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil -- as a roaring lion walketh about -- seeking whom he may devour." (I Peter 5:8-9) And the apostle Paul wrote, "But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God -- for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them -- because they are spiritually discerned." (I Corinthians 2:14)

But we who trust Jesus as our Lord and Saviour can remain confident in our faith. Why? Because He knows that "our exhortation [is] not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile; but as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God which tries our hearts." (I Thessalonians 2:5)

This is why God Himself wrote a new testament of grace in our hearts, so that we could become that city of believers "upon the hill" for those unsaved souls whose inward spirit yearns desperately for the gospel. (Matthew 5:14-16)

This latter agreement (specific to this current time period) was written in the precious blood of our Lord God and Saviour. His blood was shed on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven -- once and for all. The veil was torn from top to bottom so that we could enter into the Holy of holiest. The Law was fulfilled.

"A new He hath made -- the first old ... ready to vanish away." (Hebrews 8:13)

But there was also a distinct purpose for "He who knew no sin" becoming sin. That is, "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." (Hebrews 9:15) " ... He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises." (Hebrews 8:6)

Who is the He? The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. The King of kings and Lord of lords who loved us from the very beginning, and desires to walk with us in the cool of the day. The same God who created the universe (and commands it to this day) knew that the time would come when He Himself would have to come to redeem us. His name is Jesus. Thus, the greatest love story ever told.

"And this I say, [that] the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the Law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect." (Galatians 3:17)

Yes, you and I who believe in Jesus by faith, seeking His righteousness every day according to Acts 2:38-42 can enjoy His liberty and freedom in this new covenant, that is not written in stone like the Law was in the old covenant, but in our hearts. 

"Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, "And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed." (Acts 3:25)

"He takes away the first that He may establish the second ... by the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool -- for by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified -- whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us, for after that He said before:

"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days," saith the Lord, "I will put My laws into their hearts and in their minds will I write them, and their sins will I remember no more." (Hebrews 10:9-17)

Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin, having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus -- by a new and living way, which He has consecrated for us, through the veil -- that is to say, His flesh, and having a high priest over the house of God." (Hebrews 10:18-22)

Therefore, "let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water -- let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for He is faithful that promised ..." (Hebrews 10:23-24)

And "look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who -- for the joy that was set before Him -- endured the cross, despising the shame." Refuse not Him who speaks His love and peace into your heart. Stand in the offering plate.