Where The Spirit Of The Lord Is, There Is Liberty - Part 2523

"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."(Galatians 3:26-28)

There are many who desire the new testament to be an extension or an add-on to the old testament. In that mindset, we would still be under the Law -- not only the ten commandments but the 612 laws given to the Israelites. These include the ordinances and sacrifices referred to in Hebrews 9.

The good news -- as we learn from studying the scriptures is that the new testament is not the old plus some extra instructions for us to chore away at, but rather the Lord Himself doing a brand new thing -- wherein we can be saved by His grace and mercy and love.

In the old testament, the Lord speaks His Word through the prophets. One such prophet is Isaiah who writes, "Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them." (Isaiah 42:9)

In the new testament, He shares His salvation message -- "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (II Corinthians 5:17)

This same Jesus who was crucified has risen. Indeed, death could never hold the King of kings and Lord of lords. Moreover, the apostles on the day of Pentecost identified this same Jesus "whom ye have crucified" as both Lord and Christ. And John in his vision on the isle of Patmos speaks of Jesus as the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending.

Therein, Jesus states, "I will make all things new!" (Revelation 21:5; Revelation 1:8; Acts 2:36)

As we also know from Hebrews 9, the Holy Ghost thus signifying that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing -- which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience [which stood] only in meats and drinks, and diverse washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed [on them] until the time of reformation." (Hebrews 9:8-10)  

Therefore, the new -- the way into the holiest of all could not be made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. 

Apostle Paul explains it this way -- "and not as Moses, [which] put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: but their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which [vail] is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart." (II Corinthians 3:13-15) 

The good news? "But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (II Corinthians 3:17)

Continuing in Isaiah, the Lord declares that He is the Lord, and besides Him there is no other. And when we come to Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (His Name JESUS in this current new testament dispensation of grace) we understand that there are no other gods but Him. No other Saviour could save us from our sin. No other redeemer loved us enough to shed His precious, holy blood on a cross for you and I. (Acts 20:28; Titus 3:4-7; II Corinthians 5:19) 

"Ye are My witnesses," saith the Lord, "and My servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He: before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me. I, even I, AM the Lord; and beside Me there is no Saviour. I have declared, and have saved and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are My witnesses," saith the Lord, "that I am God." Yea, before the day was I am He; and there is none that can deliver out of My hand: I will work, and who shall let it?"

"Thus saith the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, "For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships. I AM the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King." Thus saith the Lord, which makes a way in the sea and a path in the mighty waters; which brings forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field shall honour Me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen. This people have I formed for Myself; they shall shew forth My praise.

But thou hast not called upon Me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of Me, O Israel. Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense. Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.

"I, even I, am He that blots out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Put Me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou may be justified. Thy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers have transgressed against Me. Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches." (Isaiah 43:1-28)

There is so much to understand herein but the takeaway is that each and every one of us have been invited to "Come" unto our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ and experience His abundant love in our lives. And when we do, our hearts and minds change to the point wherein we willingly make the Lord Jesus our all in all. Meditate on these things in the days ahead.

Stand in the offering plate.