In that He saith, “A new covenant, He hath made the first old, Now that which decays and waxes old is ready to vanish away.“
There is so much more than a blank page between the old and new testament in the Bible. Indeed, God gave two covenants -- the old testament to His chosen people, which is of the Law and required priests to offer up sacrifices (first for his own sins and then for the people), and second, the new testament whereby Jesus was made a surety of a better testament. (Hebrews 7:22-28)
“For the Law make men high priests which have infirmity but the Word of the oath, which was since the law, makes the Son who is consecrated for evermore.“ (Hebrews 7:28)
Why? Because the law made nothing perfect. This is why the law is only a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.
"But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the Law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:22-29)
"But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the Law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:22-29)
But, sadly, there are those who want to keep us under the Law -- all 612 commandments -- without ever telling us that we have been saved by grace, and that not of ourselves, but rather is a gift of God. And we are offered His gift of salvation, because He Himself who knew no sin became sin for us. God became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7) Now that is love, that the same God who created man and woman in the beginning would robe Himself in human flesh so that we might have eternal life.
It was the same in Paul's day, trying to keep the faithful in bondage rather than standing fast therefore in the liberty wherein is Christ. (Galatians 5:1) How did the apostle address this? He wrote the following in Galatians 3 for your edification, and so that you who believe in Jesus by faith, and are water baptized in His precious name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus -- will not be misled.
"O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, "Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain."
He therefore that ministering to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, doeth He it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, "In thee shall all nations be blessed." So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, "Cursed is every one that continues 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 hang on a tree ..." -- that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that WE -- YOU AND I -- might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannul, or add thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, "And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ." 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.
For if the inheritance be of the Law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serve the Law? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is One. Is the Law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a Law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the Law." (Galatians 3:1-22)
It was the same in Paul's day, trying to keep the faithful in bondage rather than standing fast therefore in the liberty wherein is Christ. (Galatians 5:1) How did the apostle address this? He wrote the following in Galatians 3 for your edification, and so that you who believe in Jesus by faith, and are water baptized in His precious name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus -- will not be misled.
"O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, "Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain."
He therefore that ministering to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, doeth He it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, "In thee shall all nations be blessed." So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, "Cursed is every one that continues 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 hang on a tree ..." -- that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that WE -- YOU AND I -- might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannul, or add thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, "And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ." 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.
For if the inheritance be of the Law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serve the Law? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is One. Is the Law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a Law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the Law." (Galatians 3:1-22)
In other words, if the Law was sufficient for us to have salvation, then there would have been no need for Jesus to shed His precious blood on the cross. If the Law was enough, then it would make the promise of Jesus of none effect. But the Law wasn't enough, and thus, as Zacharias, filled with the Holy Ghost prophesied, said, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for He hath visited and redeemed His people ...
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant; the oath which He sware to our father Abraham that He would grant upon us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life.“ (Luke 1:67-75)
Yes, the Lord God of Israel hath visited and redeemed His people.
"He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)
Stand in the offering plate.
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