This is a brief examination of the purpose of the Old Covenant and the New. It is clear from the scriptures that the New is far superior to the Old.
THE LAW AND GRACE
THE PURPOSE OF THE OLD (MOSAIC) COVENANT
The Old Covenant was a contract between the Lord and the nation of Israel. It was established just after the people had been freed from bondage in Egypt, in their first days in the wilderness. (Ex. 19-24) The Old Covenant, or Law, was given to the people to:
- Teach the people good from evil (Gal. 3:24, Rom. 3:20). The people of Israel had spent 4 centuries in a pagan culture, and had adapted many of the ways of Egypt. They had to be taught again what was good and acceptable to God, and what was evil and unacceptable.
- Teach the people the cost of sin (Rom. 6:23). The wages of sin is death. The Law set up a system of animal sacrifices that were to be made according to the transgressions of the people. (See the Ex. 19-24 passage or the Book of Leviticus.) Sin cost life, and the only acceptable payment was lifeblood (Lev. 17:11). It should be noted that this system of sacrifices was to teach, because the blood of animals was not sufficient to take away sins. (Heb.10:11)
- Teach the people that obedience to the Lord’s direction is better than making sacrifices after being disobedient. (1 Sam. 15:22) The Lord made it clear to Israel that even though He had set in place a system of sacrifices, it was to teach the cost of sin, not because He took delight in the sacrifices. (Ps. 50:8-13)
- Teach the people that they ultimately lacked the power on their own to obey the Lord’s commandments and be righteous apart from Him. (Rom. 3:20-23)
THE RESULTS OF THE OLD (MOSAIC) COVENANT
The law was set up in a simple system for the people of Israel. Obey, and certain blessings would follow. Disobey, and certain curses would follow. (Deut. 29-30) Since no individual, much less a nation, was able to obey the law (Rom. 3:23, Gal 3:22, 1 Jo. 1:8-10), there were a number of consequences to entering into the Old Covenant. Those included:
- Wrath. (Rom. 4:15) Because the law taught good from evil, and those who entered the covenant were unable to obey the law, the wrath of God became a natural result.
- Curses. (Deut 29-30, Gal. 3:10-12) Since the penalty agreed to by both parties in the Covenant to breaking the Law was curses, there was no way for the people of Israel to escape this result.
- The power of sin is the Law. (1 Co. 15:56) Those who were not under the Old Covenant were not subject to it’s declarations of curses and suffering for disobedience. This does not mean that those outside of the Covenant did not suffer for their sins. It only means they weren’t held to the specific curses written in the law. For those who were under the Old Covenant, sin was empowered to cause the people great harm and to separate them from God. The knowledge that was gained in learning right from wrong also meant the people faced a greater judgment when they knowingly failed to uphold the law. (Jo. 15:22, Rom 5:13, 20)
Let the point be made that God’s grace has always been available through faith, even to those engaged in the Old Covenant. (Gen. 15:6, Hab. 2:4)
THE DANGER OF RETURNING TO THE LAW
We can see in the scriptures that the purpose of the Law, to teach good from evil, has been successful. Furthermore, the Old Covenant finally found it’s fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. (Lk. 24:44) That’s why that Covenant has passed away, and the Lord has established a New Covenant with His people. (Heb. 8:13) Because of the impossibility of humanly fulfilling the Old Covenant, the New Covenant is clearly better for “whosoever” that would receive it. Yet some still insist on clinging to the Old Covenant. Why?
Because the Old Covenant was a system of human works. Such works can give the impression of self-control over our eternal destiny. This is a dangerous error. The flesh longs for such self-control, even when it is only an illusion. It’s because we long for security, but we want total control of that security. Faith in Jesus Christ is trusting the Lord completely for our eternal security.
To put ourselves under the law (the idea of having control of our own righteousness) in any one point makes us responsible to keep the whole law. (Gal. 5:3, Jas. 2:10) This is something we do not want to do. So how can you know when you are leaving the arena of grace and putting yourself back under the Old Covenant?
It happens when we stop trusting in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ and His atoning blood in any area of our life. It happens when we stop trusting in God’s promises under the New Covenant, and return to a system of works to determine our righteousness. What are some of the symptoms of this works mentality of legalism?
Major symptoms include a spirit of unforgiveness. This can be applied to ourselves and others. When we judge ourselves too harshly for failures, or when we judge others too harshly for their sins and transgressions, we are leaving the realm of grace for legalism and self-righteousness. We are told to forgive others in the awareness of how desperately we also need forgiveness. (Matt. 6:12-15)
Guilt, which leads to shame and a loss of joy, is also a symptom. If your sins are forgiven, where is your guilt? When Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery, was she still guilty? (Jo. 8:11) The law commanded she be put to death. (Lev. 20:10) Jesus forgiveness supersedes the law. Nothing good comes from turning away from grace for our salvation and daily provision. Jesus died on the cross that we might be free from the power of sin, and the guilt that accompanies sin. (Rom. 6:16-18)
Fear. When we fail to trust that God loves us as His children, we naturally have a fear of God’s judgment. This fear is often instilled by seeing other Christians who are unloving in their behavior. It may even come from family members who, struggling with their own desires for self-control, also model fear of impending judgment. (1 Jo. 4:18)
Spiritual Arrogance. The Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus time are repeatedly held up as examples of spiritual pride, which abuses authority. This sin attitude led to the pronouncement by Jesus of seven woes that would befall the religious leaders of that time. (Matt. 23)
THE DIVIDING LINE
We may well ask then, when did the Old Covenant end and the New begin? The scriptures say the dividing line occurred the night before Jesus execution. (Matt. 26:26-28) It should be noted that Jesus had been teaching primarily about the character and Kingdom of God in the years leading up to His crucifixion. However, without the shedding of blood, no covenant can be in effect. (Heb 9:13-18) In fact, what occurs that night is Jesus finishing His fulfillment of the Old Covenant and His institution of the New Covenant. By fulfilling the Old, He became able to be our mediator for the New. (Heb. 9:14-22)
Remembering the timing of that dividing line in scripture, we understand that most of Jesus teachings were in regard to the Old Covenant, and what it meant to meet God’s standards for holiness and properly fulfill it. While some of His teachings related to the soon coming New Covenant, He primarily focused on explaining the true meaning of and fulfilling the Old Covenant.
An example of this is His teaching at the Sermon on the Mount. (Matt. 5-7) In these passages, He points out what a person would have to do to not fall short of God‘s holiness through obedience to the law. He points out in Matt. 5:17 that He has come to fulfill the Law. He teaches in vs. 21-22 that the commandment said, “Thou shalt not kill”, but in truth, God’s standard of holiness is so high, that if you were simply angry with your brother, you are in danger of judgment, and if you call him a fool, you will be in danger of hell fire.
In another passage, Jesus said that it was written that men should not commit adultery, but if a man has looked upon a woman with lust in his heart, he has already committed adultery. (5:27-28) He is pointing out how all have failed to obey the law at some point, because God’s true standards are too high for men to reach.
In the very next passage, teaching of the danger of sin, He says that if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out, and if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off. Because it is better to be maimed than to go to hell. (5:29-30) But who obeys this teaching?
In the next verses, He points out that the law said all a man has to do to divorce his wife is write out a bill of divorcement. However, the truth is that if he does this for any cause but adultery, he causes his former wife to commit adultery with her next husband, and that next husband would also be guilty of adultery. (5:30-31)
Who then could find hope with such high standards? Who could be free from sin? No mortal man could ever fulfill these standards. Yet many in churches apply these Old Covenant standards to their members today. Why maintain the Old Covenant standards of marriage and the perpetuation of adultery, when no one fulfills Jesus command to pluck out their eye or cut off their hand?
While calling a brother or sister a fool, or looking on someone with lust in our hearts, or divorcing for reasons other than adultery are all sins, they are all atoned for by the Blood of the Lamb. (Jo. 1:29) The Bible clearly states that only the “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit” (angrily speaking against the guidance of the Spirit) is an unforgivable sin. (Matt. 12:31) Why do we pick and choose from a list laws to judge ourselves or others unjustly? If we are under grace, ALL our sins are forgiven. (Eph. 1:7)
Tithing is part of the Old Covenant. It was replaced by giving in the New Covenant. Tithing was giving 10% of all your income, including goods, to the Temple in Jerusalem. Giving under the New Covenant should be according to the abundance which we have received and the needs of our family in Jesus Christ. (Lu. 18:22, Acts 2:45, 1 Co. 16:2, 2 Co. 9:6) There is no Temple in Jerusalem to tithe too at this point in history. If some like to use 10% as a guideline for giving to the work of the Lord, that is good, but it is not a sin to those who don’t tithe. The Old Covenant has ended, and for those who walk in grace, the lesson has been learned. While the Spirit may lead some to give 25, 50 or even 100%, the Spirit may also lead God’s people to be responsible citizens, pay their bills and feed their children. There is always sufficient provision for the Lord’s work without imposing Old Covenant laws. (1 Chr. 29:14-16, Ps. 50:10)
Since many greatly feared of failing the law, they would create “extensions” to existing laws. We still find this in churches today. Our brothers and sisters are judged as committing sin if they smoke, drink beer or don’t attend every church service. All of these things are “outer fence” laws, or laws created beyond God’s directions for the perceived protection of the people. Now Christians should avoid these actions if it offends the weaker members of the local body. Some through ignorance or fear may believe these extra-biblical laws to be good, and judge others unfairly. The stronger in the church must bear the weaker, even if it means giving something up for the sake of maintaining unity in the body of Christ. (1 Co. 10:27-33)
WHAT THE LAW COULDN’T DO
What the Old Covenant law could not do was to take away sins, (Heb. 10:4, 11) which is really what we need the most. Since the law was insufficient to take away sins, it also could not grant salvation/eternal life.
Without remission of sins, fallen mankind cannot be reconciled to a holy God. Reconciliation is the restoration of the relationship we were intended to have with our Father and Creator. (Rom. 5:10) So where the law could teach the truth of the gap that existed between God and man, it was insufficient to bridge that gap.
THE NEW COVENANT
Mankind needed a New Covenant to realize what all long for, which is to be reconciled to God, to have the close relationship He created us for, and the salvation which would accompany that relationship. Since the blood of bulls and goats was insufficient to take away sin, a holier, eternal sacrifice was required. Yet such a perfect sacrifice could only come from God Himself. (Heb. 9:11-15) So what are the terms of the New Covenant?
All covenants have requirements placed on both parties. The New Covenant, being between mankind and the Lord, is no different. The terms, secured in the blood of Jesus Christ, were these. On God’s behalf, He requires “whosoever” to believe that Jesus is His Son, that Jesus lived a sinless life, died on a cross for the sins of the whole world, and rose again on the third day. We must also believe that the blood of Jesus takes away our sins, and in turn we now possess the righteousness of Jesus Christ. (2 Co. 5:21) These are God’s requirements for us. And with the New Covenant came one new commandment, that we as the Body of Christ love one another the way Jesus Christ loves us. (Jo. 13:34-35) Note, there are no works for man to do. The requirement is that we believe what is written.
In return, the Lord gives “whosoever” that believes life. Spiritual life now, and eternal life to come. (Rom. 8:2) The New Covenant in this passage is called the “Law of the Spirit of Life”. We are now made free from “the law of sin and death” to walk in “newness of life” (Rom 6:4) and “newness of spirit” (Rom. 7:6).
We are also sealed with the Spirit and given the “earnest” (a down payment or security) of the Holy Spirit in our lives immediately. (2 Co. 1:22) To be sealed means that the Lord has claimed us as belonging to Him. This seal is of importance in obtaining deliverance from the coming wrath of God. (Ezek. 9:4)
The Holy Spirit now enters and remains with all who agree to the New Covenant because the relationship between mankind and God has been restored, or reconciled. This reconciliation allows all of the blessings of God to flow through believers by the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 5:10-11, 8:32)
One immediate benefit of faith in the New Covenant is freedom from fear. This is because we are now free from fear of condemnation for our sins. (Rom. 8:1-2) As mentioned earlier, the New Covenant is evidence of God’s perfect love for us, and when we enter into this covenant by faith, that perfect love frees us from the fear of condemnation. (1 Jo. 4:18)
GRACE
God’s grace to us is “manifold” (1 Pet. 4:10), meaning varied or multi-sided. While thankfully it contains the remission of sins, it contains so much more. God’s grace is available for all of our needs in life. (2 Co. 12:9, Phil. 4:13)
One of the major gifts received in grace is that the believer is delivered from bondage to sin. (Rom 6:1-18) This may seem like an unattainable goal, but it is written that this is a fact. Believers who struggle with habitual sin are actually struggling with their faith that Jesus has freed them from the power of sin. When Christians try to overcome sin in their own strength, they are defeated before the fight begins. It should also be noted that some Christians are led to the Lord with the belief that life in this world becomes easier. In fact, the Christian should expect to suffer as did the Lord Jesus. (Jo. 15:17-21, 2 Tim. 3:12)
The gifts of God’s grace that we enjoy flow from the work of the Holy Spirit in our life. He is called the Comforter and the Spirit of Truth by Jesus. (Jo. 14:16-17) These are two of the gifts we receive through God’s grace. His comfort, and the Spirit of Truth to know He who is The Truth. (Jo. 14:6)
Other gifts of the Spirit promised to all believers include:
- He will teach us all things. (Jo. 14:26)
- He will help believers to recall the teachings of Jesus. (and all of God’s words) (Jo. 14:26)
- He will give believers the peace Jesus promised (Jo. 14:27), the peace that passes all understanding. (Ph. 4:7)
- He empowers believers to abide in Jesus, thus bearing much fruit. (Jo. 15:1-8)
- He will guide believers in all truth. (Jo. 16:13)
- He will show believers “things to come”. (Jo. 16:13)
- He will glorify Jesus (in believers) as He takes what belongs to Jesus and declares it to believers. (Jo. 16:14)
Beyond what’s listed above, the Holy Spirit empowers individual believers with specific gifts according to the will of God and the need of the Body of Christ (the Church). 1 Co. 12:7 states that some of these gifts are given to each member (meaning different individuals will be given different gifts) of the Body of Christ. These specific gifts include:
- The word of wisdom. (1 Co. 12:8)
- The word of knowledge. (1 Co. 12:8)
- Faith. (1 Co. 12:9)
- Gifts of healing. (1 Co. 12:9)
- The working of miracles (power). (1 Co. 12:10)
- Prophecy (predictions, declaring God‘s word by divine inspiration).
- Discerning of spirits. (1 Co. 12:10)
- Diverse types of tongues (languages). (1 Co. 12:10)
- Interpretation of tongues (languages). (1 Co. 12:10)
- Teaching (as guided by the Holy Spirit). (1 Co. 12:28)
- Helps (Spirit given gift of aid). (1 Co. 12:28)
- Governing (Spirit aided Directors). (1 Co. 12:28)
Paul importantly adds in this section of scripture that the same Holy Spirit gives different gifts that we may act as a unit together, the Body of Christ. (1 Co. 12:13) The gifts are given according to God‘s good pleasure. (1 Co. 12:18) Paul also addressed and settled the controversies on the gifts of tongues in 1 Co. 14.
In Rom. 12:4-8 Paul mentions specific gifts again, adding ministry (service), exhortation (encourage, supplicate), and showing mercy (aid).
This is but a brief overview, but let me finish by listing the “fruit” of the Spirit, which should be manifest in all believers. Jesus mentioned this fruit as a result of abiding in Him in John 15. Abiding in Jesus is another gift of the New Covenant that is accomplished through faith in Christ’s finished work. The list of the fruits of the Spirit as found in Gal. 5:22-23 includes:
- love
- joy
- peace
- longsuffering
- gentleness
- goodness
- faith
- meekness
- temperance (self-control).
These fruit should be born by all believers, perhaps not in the same quantity by all, but certainly to some degree as grace performs it’s perfect work through faith.
