The New Covenant is not like the Old Covenant

This came to me while flying to Washington to help move my son and his family to Texas.

The New Covenant is not like the Old Covenant (HEB 8).

Entry into the Old Covenant did not require faith in God; most of the people in that community were unbelievers. All they (the males) needed for entry was circumcision of their flesh. Entry into the New Covenant comes only to those who believe on the Son of God (John 10), who have been circumcised of the heart, not made with human hands (Col 2).

The mediator of the New Covenant is not another in the type of Moses - a servant in God's house (Heb 3). He is the Son and Lord of the house!

God does not change our old stone into a new heart of flesh, He removes the heart of stone and implants a heart of flesh (Jer 31).

God does not improve the stone temple in which Israel worshiped Him, His redeemed are the temple of God! (1 Cor 3, 1 Pet 2)

The New Covenant does not have a priest after the order of Aaron but after the order of Melchizedek, who had no genealogy (Heb 7). This was not merely a change in/within the priesthood, it was a change OF priesthood; the nature of the priesthood is different (Heb 8).

The sacrifices of the Old Covenant could never take away sin, but only cover them for a season. The sacrifice of the New Covenant takes away all the sins of all the people in that covenant community, showing the weakness of the law and the superiority of the oath and promise (Heb 7). The nature of the sacrifices in the two covenant are not the same.

When the passage (Heb 7) says that a change of the priesthood mandates a change OF the law, the same nature of change is at hand. The law given to the Old Covenant community is not suited for the New Covenant community. A new type of law is required - one reflecting the priesthood as well as the community, which is 100% redeemed and dwelt by the Holy Spirit.

The law written on the flesh hearts of the saints is not the legal code with warnings and penalties, issued from the fiery mount (HEB 12). The law written on the hearts of the redeemed is the perfect law, the law of liberty (James 1), the royal law (James 2), the law of Christ (Gal 6). The law of Moses commanded its people to rest from the work of providing for themselves (Ex 20). The law of Christ provides rest for the redeemed, no longer working to prove themselves to God, but serving one another, bearing burdens, loving others as Christ has loved us.

No legal code with threats and penalties for a stiff-necked and rebellious people but a new creature that loves God and others, in which the Spirit of God dwells, to equip and will His people to that which pleases Him (Phil 2). 

Genesis 41:37-57, The Favor of a King

Leonard Ravenhill: “The greatest miracle that God can do today is to take an unholy man out of an unholy world and make him holy, then put him back into that unholy world and keep him holy in it.” Not sure if I can agree it’s the greatest miracle God can do today, but it is truly a remarkable thing that He does. This is how Joseph was kept during his time in Egypt; this is how Daniel was kept during his time in Babylon. This is how you and I are kept during our time in this culture, which presses on us from every direction to go along, not be such a stick in the mud, pretend sin is actually what pleases God. This is the only way we can walk in love towards one another – the holiness of God is hand-in-glove with His love for us whom He has raised up from spiritual death. Biblical love is other-focused (God and His children), not self-focused. Fleshly love is self-obsessed, selfish, toddler-like.

If you have not Christ, your motive cannot be right. Jesus must own your heart for you to praise Him. Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart. Turn to Jesus – He will give you rest.

Brothers and sisters, let us FIX our eyes of faith on the risen Christ – He is our only hope in life and in death. Those favored by the King of kings have much to rejoice over – may He tune our hearts to sing His praise.

God's Law

I was listening to an old sermon while driving to town today. The brother read this:

1Cor 9:19-21 (HCSB)

"Although I am a free man and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law — though I myself am not under the law — to win those under the law. To those who are without that law, like one without the law — not being without God’s law but within Christ’s law — to win those without the law."

And then he observed: Paul described himself as not under the Jewish law (Mosaic) but would ACT like he was, in order not to offend them. Then he said he would ACT like those who do not have that law (Gentiles) so it would not be a stumbling block.

And Paul said that he was not without God's law but within Christ's law. This shows that the law given to Moses is not longer God's law, but the the law of Christ is now God's law.

This lines up with this:

Heb 7:11-12 (HCSB)

"If then, perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must be a change of law as well."

The New Covenant has a new priesthood, which requires a new law. The New Covenant has different entry requirements than did the Old Covenant. Faith in God was not required to enter the Mosaic Covenant - obedience to a few religious rites were all that was required. New birth which brings faith in Christ is required to enter into the New Covenant - the flesh profits nothing! Shadows were fulfilled in the substance, which is Christ. 

Genesis 40 - In This World You Will Have Trouble

We are seeing how the life of Joseph, prefiguring Christ in so many ways, was not always comfortable and enjoyable. As it was with the Lord Himself, with many trials and much tribulation, so it was with Joseph and will be with every one of His children. Joseph had been lifted up at Potiphar’s house, he is now put down in prison. He had no idea if or when or how he would be rescued again. It’s part of God’s purpose in our lives, to show us trouble as a help to remind us this world is not our home. The promised One would tell us, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) There is nothing we cannot bear, knowing that Jesus has overcome the world – we are His. 

Genesis 38; The Lion, not the tribe

Genesis 38; The Lion, not the tribe.

Gen 38:1-11 Trouble in the Tribe

Gen 38:12-19 Things Get Worse.

Gen 38:20-23 The trap is set

Gen 38:24-26 The Noose Tightens

Gen 38:27-30 Providence Revealed

Conclusion

Hebrews 2:1-4 Our Great Salvation

Our Great Salvation

 Heb 2:1-4 (HCSB)  (click the link above for the sermon)

We must, therefore, pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away. For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to His will. 

Is "church" a good word for "ecclesia"?

In two weeks of normal Facebook activity I've collected 20 examples of people using "church" to refer to a location. It's clear from Scripture that "ecclesia" refers to a people - those called out. The ecclesia of Christ is His body, His people called out of the world to Himself. When we use "church" we blur the picture. Early English Bibles used "congregation" - seems like that is something we should return to.

I am NOT saying that the message in every example is wrong - the use of "church" is wrong.

I try to use "church" only in referring to "mega-churches" or "state churches" or any other false "church." Saying we're stuck with it is like telling anabaptists to suck it up and conform to Rome.