By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. Hebrews 11:24-28.
Hebrews 11 is often called the "Hall of Faith." It lists the patriarchs in the Old Testament who continued to believe God's promise of Messiah and His kingdom, despite having never seen the fulfillment here on earth. One of those people is Moses, a great leader and prophet, yet a man filled with flaws. He committed murder, became a fugitive on the run, married a non-Hebrew, and was afraid to answer God's call to deliver Israel from bondage due to a speech impediment. But Moses' most famous gaffe was while in the wilderness--he struck the rock twice to bring forth water for a disgruntled and thirsty Israel. God had instructed him to speak to the rock, but thinking he knew better, Moses struck the rock like he had before. He didn't know this rock was prophetic of Jesus Christ being stricken, beaten, and bruised only once for sins so that the living water of eternal life could spring forth to mankind. Because of this act, Moses was condemned to the wilderness, never able to enter the promised land. That may seem like a harsh penalty for disobedience, but a holy God demands perfection under the law, especially when the act is prophetic of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. And yet, in reading Scripture's recording of Moses in Hebrews 11, there is no mention of his human faults and sins. What is recorded is his allegiance to the Jewish nation, esteeming the afflictions of Christ as greater riches than the earthly riches of Egypt! In addition, he is recorded as having endured the wrath of Pharaoh, because his eyes were fixed on an invisible savior! How can this be, when Jesus didn't come along until thousands of years later? And don't forget that by faith, Moses also instituted the Passover, instructing Israel to put lamb's blood on their door posts to avoid the death of the first born. Surely, he didn't have a full understanding of any of these acts, but did them anyway out of obedience. If you read this chapter of Hebrews and never perused the book of Exodus, you might conclude Moses never wavered in his belief. But we know this wasn't the case at all! What is the answer? God doesn't record the flaws and shortcomings of those who are believers in His son, Jesus--including those who came before the cross. Because Jesus took on all sin and bore the curse of the law, He suffered the legal penalty and received the fullness of God's wrath. Today, as born again believers in His death and resurrection, we are forgiven of all our sins (they have been put away once and for all), and we are new creations in Christ Jesus--as righteous as He is. The truth of this reality is so lofty for the human mind that it takes a revelation from the Holy Spirit to fully understand it. But like Moses, we don't have to understand all the things of God before accepting them as true and acting upon them. Believing in God's Word and acting in accordance with that belief is what our heavenly Father considers. So rejoice in the good news of the Gospel! Like Moses, all your faults, shortcomings, and sins cannot change the reality of the new birth and what Jesus did for you on the cross! You are loved and forgiven! |
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Hall of Faith
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Rest in the Lord
"But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it. Numbers 14:24 KJV
The book of Hebrews encourages us to labor to enter into the rest of God, which means we cease from worry and concern and trust the Lord Jesus fully to fulfill the promises He has made. But this is a hard thing to do when there is turmoil all around. It takes dedication to pray and study and meditate on the Word to keep our faith strong.
The Old Testament picture of entering into the rest of God is Israel entering into the promised land after fleeing captivity in Egypt. If you read the book of Numbers, you will see a great story about how Moses sent twelve spies into the land, one from each tribe, to scout things out and see if things were as good and wonderful as God had promised. Well, the scouts did just that, and discovered the land was indeed a good and prosperous land, flowing with milk and honey. They even brought back a vine of grapes that was so large, two men had to carry it on a pole!
And yet, there was a problem. There were giants in the land, and as much as God had promised the land to Israel and was truthful in the goodness of it, the fear of those giants made ten of the scouts give a negative report. They spread dissension in the camp and fear spread like wildfire. The entire nation of Israel cried out in anguish, angry that God had brought them so far, only to have them destroyed by giants. Much to Moses' dismay, they made plans to choose a new leader and return to Egypt!
But the other two scouts, Joshua and Caleb, believed God's promises despite the giants in the land. Numbers 14:6-9 KJV records as follows: And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, [which were] of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, [is] an exceeding good land. If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they [are] bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD [is] with us: fear them not.
Instead of listening to Joshua and Caleb and reasoning with the truth, the people sought to stone them. Have you ever been in a situation where irrational fear causes men's reasonings to fly out the window? This is so true, especially when God's promises are called into question. The giants in our lives--the wind and waves and storms of life--make us question what God has said, causing us to shrink back in fear and choose the comforts of bondage over freedom.
Joshua and Caleb were different than the other Israelites. They rested in the Lord. They believed what God had promised, despite what the majority said. They weren't swayed by fear, but held firm that much more when threatened with stones. As God said of Caleb in Numbers 14:24, they were men of a different spirit who obeyed God fully. As a result, they were the only two of that entire generation of people who entered into the promised land. Unfortunately for them, they had to wait for the others to die out first, but when the time came to enter, they went in victorious!
Be like Joshua and Caleb and not those ten spies. Rest in the Lord and believe His promises, no matter what you see around you or feel in your emotions or body. Fear is real, but we don't have to rest in it. Rest in the grace of Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross, and you will enter into a wondrous land of Shalom, peace.
The book of Hebrews encourages us to labor to enter into the rest of God, which means we cease from worry and concern and trust the Lord Jesus fully to fulfill the promises He has made. But this is a hard thing to do when there is turmoil all around. It takes dedication to pray and study and meditate on the Word to keep our faith strong.
The Old Testament picture of entering into the rest of God is Israel entering into the promised land after fleeing captivity in Egypt. If you read the book of Numbers, you will see a great story about how Moses sent twelve spies into the land, one from each tribe, to scout things out and see if things were as good and wonderful as God had promised. Well, the scouts did just that, and discovered the land was indeed a good and prosperous land, flowing with milk and honey. They even brought back a vine of grapes that was so large, two men had to carry it on a pole!
And yet, there was a problem. There were giants in the land, and as much as God had promised the land to Israel and was truthful in the goodness of it, the fear of those giants made ten of the scouts give a negative report. They spread dissension in the camp and fear spread like wildfire. The entire nation of Israel cried out in anguish, angry that God had brought them so far, only to have them destroyed by giants. Much to Moses' dismay, they made plans to choose a new leader and return to Egypt!
But the other two scouts, Joshua and Caleb, believed God's promises despite the giants in the land. Numbers 14:6-9 KJV records as follows: And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, [which were] of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, [is] an exceeding good land. If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they [are] bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD [is] with us: fear them not.
Instead of listening to Joshua and Caleb and reasoning with the truth, the people sought to stone them. Have you ever been in a situation where irrational fear causes men's reasonings to fly out the window? This is so true, especially when God's promises are called into question. The giants in our lives--the wind and waves and storms of life--make us question what God has said, causing us to shrink back in fear and choose the comforts of bondage over freedom.
Joshua and Caleb were different than the other Israelites. They rested in the Lord. They believed what God had promised, despite what the majority said. They weren't swayed by fear, but held firm that much more when threatened with stones. As God said of Caleb in Numbers 14:24, they were men of a different spirit who obeyed God fully. As a result, they were the only two of that entire generation of people who entered into the promised land. Unfortunately for them, they had to wait for the others to die out first, but when the time came to enter, they went in victorious!
Be like Joshua and Caleb and not those ten spies. Rest in the Lord and believe His promises, no matter what you see around you or feel in your emotions or body. Fear is real, but we don't have to rest in it. Rest in the grace of Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross, and you will enter into a wondrous land of Shalom, peace.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Stay in Faith
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Hebrews 11:13.
Hebrews 11 gives us the "Hall of Faith," which is a listing of the patriarchs of the Bible who stood firm in their belief in God's promises, despite the circumstances. They are described as a great cloud of witnesses whose testimonies are an encouragement to us to keep believing and to hold fast to our confession of faith regardless of the pressures coming against us. All of them died believing for the promised heavenly Jersualem, expecting to see manifestation in their lifetimes, and yet they did not. This is a picture of faith. Faith continues to believe no matter how long it takes for the results to come. Faith remains expectant and sure of the truth no matter what life throws our way.
Have you ever heard someone say they prayed for something, let's say healing perhaps or provision, and the answer/result didn't happen overnight, or even in a week, a month, or even a year? It's happened to all of us. We may get mad at God or perhaps look inwardly, thinking we may have done something displeasing to Him. We may believe it isn't His will to bless us. We may feel abandoned and alone, unloved. We may say, "I believed, I had faith, but it didn't happen. No one believed harder than I did! My prayers didn't work!" All of us have had these thoughts run through our mind at some point.
But the truth is that prayer does work. It's just that the answer may take a little longer than we hoped. But that certainly is no reason to give up on faith. Faith believes all the way to the end, expecting manifestation at any moment. Imagine if Abraham had given up on his faith after the first year he prayed for Isaac? The Bible said it took about 20 years for Sarah to give birth to him! That's a long time. Joseph waited 23 years before his God-given dream came to fruition, and his brothers and father bowed before him as the Viceroy of Egypt. David waited about 14 years after being anointed King of Israel before he took the crown and ruled from Jerusalem. What if he had given up after a month? What if he had said it was all a lie?
Don't give up! Don't stop believing! Even if you go all the way to heaven and meet Jesus on the other side of life without seeing the manifestation of your prayers, go believing. Go with faith! You are in good company if you decide to be a person of steadfast faith regardless of the circumstances. God is pleased with His children believing in His promises, no matter what. Yes, the answer may be slow coming, but it's coming! At the appointed time, He will manifest His promises.
Hebrews 11 gives us the "Hall of Faith," which is a listing of the patriarchs of the Bible who stood firm in their belief in God's promises, despite the circumstances. They are described as a great cloud of witnesses whose testimonies are an encouragement to us to keep believing and to hold fast to our confession of faith regardless of the pressures coming against us. All of them died believing for the promised heavenly Jersualem, expecting to see manifestation in their lifetimes, and yet they did not. This is a picture of faith. Faith continues to believe no matter how long it takes for the results to come. Faith remains expectant and sure of the truth no matter what life throws our way.
Have you ever heard someone say they prayed for something, let's say healing perhaps or provision, and the answer/result didn't happen overnight, or even in a week, a month, or even a year? It's happened to all of us. We may get mad at God or perhaps look inwardly, thinking we may have done something displeasing to Him. We may believe it isn't His will to bless us. We may feel abandoned and alone, unloved. We may say, "I believed, I had faith, but it didn't happen. No one believed harder than I did! My prayers didn't work!" All of us have had these thoughts run through our mind at some point.
But the truth is that prayer does work. It's just that the answer may take a little longer than we hoped. But that certainly is no reason to give up on faith. Faith believes all the way to the end, expecting manifestation at any moment. Imagine if Abraham had given up on his faith after the first year he prayed for Isaac? The Bible said it took about 20 years for Sarah to give birth to him! That's a long time. Joseph waited 23 years before his God-given dream came to fruition, and his brothers and father bowed before him as the Viceroy of Egypt. David waited about 14 years after being anointed King of Israel before he took the crown and ruled from Jerusalem. What if he had given up after a month? What if he had said it was all a lie?
Don't give up! Don't stop believing! Even if you go all the way to heaven and meet Jesus on the other side of life without seeing the manifestation of your prayers, go believing. Go with faith! You are in good company if you decide to be a person of steadfast faith regardless of the circumstances. God is pleased with His children believing in His promises, no matter what. Yes, the answer may be slow coming, but it's coming! At the appointed time, He will manifest His promises.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Truth Remains the Same
For all the promises of God in him [are] yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2 Corinthians 1:20
Have you ever claimed the promises of God, whether it be for healing, provision, favor, or blessings, and yet the circumstances look like things aren't happening? At times like that, we may get frustrated and even angry with God, feeling condemned and unloved. The facts surrounding us point to sickness, poverty, the curse and yet we open our Bibles and read Scriptures that speak the opposite. They tell us we are loved, blessed, healed and wealthy. Something is totally wrong!
Yes, the facts are the facts, but facts are subject to change. A bad doctor's report can suddenly become a clean bill of health. A low balance in our checking account can suddenly become flushed with cash, and that unfavorable situation can suddenly turn around and benefit us. Facts can change, but Truth remains the same. Truth is in the person of Jesus Christ, and He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.
Imagine Abraham calling himself the father of many nations at the age of 100 and yet he had no children. The Bible says his body was as good as dead and his 90 year-old wife, Sarah's, womb was dead. Those are terrible, dismal facts if one is holding on to a promise for a baby boy, much less nations of people. But on the day Sarah gave birth to Isaac, the facts changed and the Truth was made manifest. God had promised an offspring from Abraham's body, and what God promises will surely come to pass.
What about Israel conquering the powerful city of Jericho? The city walls were thick enough to have chariot races, and yet God brought those walls down just by having the people march around the city blowing trumpets and shouting praises. Again, those are outrageous facts for a budding nation poised to inhabit a prosperous, yet hostile, land and claim it as its own. No other nation in the history of the world has been able to conquer a stronger people by a shout and a trumpet blast! But on that day, the facts changed - Israel took Jericho and the Truth was made manifest. God had promised that land to Abraham, and what God promised will surely come to pass.
If you are In Christ Jesus, God has promised you every good and wonderful thing for an abundant, joyful life that glorifies Him. Yes, the facts in your life may stink, but the Truth remains the same. If you are sick, healing is there because Jesus is the healer. If you are suffering from financial lack, provision is there because Jesus is the provider. If you need favor in a situation, grace and mercy are there because Jesus is the savior and prince of peace who brings us Shalom peace.
Don't rest on the facts in your life. Don't even ask yourself why the facts are the way they are. Just focus on the Truth, resting on the goodness and mercy of Jesus. Perhaps it will take longer than you wish, but eventually, those horrible, nasty facts will have changed! Truth will be made manifest, because all of God's promises to those who are in Christ Jesus are "Yes" and "Amen"!
Have you ever claimed the promises of God, whether it be for healing, provision, favor, or blessings, and yet the circumstances look like things aren't happening? At times like that, we may get frustrated and even angry with God, feeling condemned and unloved. The facts surrounding us point to sickness, poverty, the curse and yet we open our Bibles and read Scriptures that speak the opposite. They tell us we are loved, blessed, healed and wealthy. Something is totally wrong!
Yes, the facts are the facts, but facts are subject to change. A bad doctor's report can suddenly become a clean bill of health. A low balance in our checking account can suddenly become flushed with cash, and that unfavorable situation can suddenly turn around and benefit us. Facts can change, but Truth remains the same. Truth is in the person of Jesus Christ, and He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.
Imagine Abraham calling himself the father of many nations at the age of 100 and yet he had no children. The Bible says his body was as good as dead and his 90 year-old wife, Sarah's, womb was dead. Those are terrible, dismal facts if one is holding on to a promise for a baby boy, much less nations of people. But on the day Sarah gave birth to Isaac, the facts changed and the Truth was made manifest. God had promised an offspring from Abraham's body, and what God promises will surely come to pass.
What about Israel conquering the powerful city of Jericho? The city walls were thick enough to have chariot races, and yet God brought those walls down just by having the people march around the city blowing trumpets and shouting praises. Again, those are outrageous facts for a budding nation poised to inhabit a prosperous, yet hostile, land and claim it as its own. No other nation in the history of the world has been able to conquer a stronger people by a shout and a trumpet blast! But on that day, the facts changed - Israel took Jericho and the Truth was made manifest. God had promised that land to Abraham, and what God promised will surely come to pass.
If you are In Christ Jesus, God has promised you every good and wonderful thing for an abundant, joyful life that glorifies Him. Yes, the facts in your life may stink, but the Truth remains the same. If you are sick, healing is there because Jesus is the healer. If you are suffering from financial lack, provision is there because Jesus is the provider. If you need favor in a situation, grace and mercy are there because Jesus is the savior and prince of peace who brings us Shalom peace.
Don't rest on the facts in your life. Don't even ask yourself why the facts are the way they are. Just focus on the Truth, resting on the goodness and mercy of Jesus. Perhaps it will take longer than you wish, but eventually, those horrible, nasty facts will have changed! Truth will be made manifest, because all of God's promises to those who are in Christ Jesus are "Yes" and "Amen"!
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Patience and Endurance
For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and [a]carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised. Hebrews 10:36 AMP
Have you ever wondered why sometimes it seems to take so long for God to come through with His promises in your life? Perhaps you are standing firm on the Lord's Word regarding divine healing or financial provision, or the deliverance of a child or loved one, and yet manifestation is slow coming. The temptation is there to doubt God's Word, to question whether He loves you, to slide into guilt and condemnation. But then the Holy Spirit inside of you comforts you and encourages you, reminding you that you are righteous in Christ Jesus and deeply loved by Abba Father.
If that is true and we are God's children, part of the body of Christ, filled with His Spirit and heirs of the wonderful promises--which include the blessings of Abraham--then why are things taking so long? Answer: patience is being manufactured in you. And the Bible says you NEED patience. Well, if the Lord says we need patience, then we should endeavor to embrace every opportunity where patience is developed in us.
So how do we get patience? Unfortunately, it can't be attained by any means other than fiery trials and temptations to not believe God's Word. As we stand firm and stalwart in our faith in Scripture, patience is doing a perfect work in us, proving and refining our faith, so that we can fully accomplish God's will in our life and receive and fully enjoy His promises. Read the entire book of 1 Peter to get a deeper insight into this spiritual truth.
When we keep our eyes on the promises in Christ, knowing that patience is working in our favor to help us fully receive, then we will come to realize as James did--that fiery trials and temptations are a joyful thing. Consider James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
So rejoice when the trials come, knowing that patience is working in the spiritual realm on your behalf. Stand firm in the faith, knowing that manifestation is on its way!
Have you ever wondered why sometimes it seems to take so long for God to come through with His promises in your life? Perhaps you are standing firm on the Lord's Word regarding divine healing or financial provision, or the deliverance of a child or loved one, and yet manifestation is slow coming. The temptation is there to doubt God's Word, to question whether He loves you, to slide into guilt and condemnation. But then the Holy Spirit inside of you comforts you and encourages you, reminding you that you are righteous in Christ Jesus and deeply loved by Abba Father.
If that is true and we are God's children, part of the body of Christ, filled with His Spirit and heirs of the wonderful promises--which include the blessings of Abraham--then why are things taking so long? Answer: patience is being manufactured in you. And the Bible says you NEED patience. Well, if the Lord says we need patience, then we should endeavor to embrace every opportunity where patience is developed in us.
So how do we get patience? Unfortunately, it can't be attained by any means other than fiery trials and temptations to not believe God's Word. As we stand firm and stalwart in our faith in Scripture, patience is doing a perfect work in us, proving and refining our faith, so that we can fully accomplish God's will in our life and receive and fully enjoy His promises. Read the entire book of 1 Peter to get a deeper insight into this spiritual truth.
When we keep our eyes on the promises in Christ, knowing that patience is working in our favor to help us fully receive, then we will come to realize as James did--that fiery trials and temptations are a joyful thing. Consider James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
So rejoice when the trials come, knowing that patience is working in the spiritual realm on your behalf. Stand firm in the faith, knowing that manifestation is on its way!
Friday, February 8, 2013
Do Not Fear, Only Believe!
While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's [house], saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard [it], he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. Luke 8:49-50 KJV
What happens when you're believing for God to come through for you, whether it be a miracle for healing, provision, or safety, and things don't turn out like you planned? Are you tempted to believe God has forsaken you, that's He's angry at you and getting back at you for some misconduct in your life? While all of us may be tempted to believe such things about our loving Father and wonderful savior, Jesus, don't fall for it! Don't succumb to any temptation to believe anything other than what is supported by Scripture. As believers, we look to the Word and the witness of the Holy Spirit inside our hearts, not our circumstances.
Think on the words Jesus spoke to Jarius after he learned that his little daughter had died. The ruler of the synagogue (who represents religious people) told Jarius not to trouble the Master (Jesus). But Jesus has the final word. He turned to Jarius and said, "Fear not. Only believe." Translation - "Don't listen to the world and religious folk! Listen to me!" If you read later on in Luke, you will learn that the little girl was raised up! What a wonderful testimony that family had to share with others - and it's still being shared today!
Yes, things may look hopeless, but don't give up hope! Dead things in our lives may appear permanently dead, but with Jesus there is resurrection power. Perhaps manifestation of your miracle is slow coming - think about Abraham waiting for Isaac to be born, Joseph waiting for his dream to come to pass, David hiding away from evil King Saul, Jesus waiting in Nazareth for 18 years for His ministry to begin ... patience and endurance worked on their behalf and, likewise, they are working on our behalf. Don't give up! Keep believing in God's promises despite the circumstances.
Do not fear! Only believe!
What happens when you're believing for God to come through for you, whether it be a miracle for healing, provision, or safety, and things don't turn out like you planned? Are you tempted to believe God has forsaken you, that's He's angry at you and getting back at you for some misconduct in your life? While all of us may be tempted to believe such things about our loving Father and wonderful savior, Jesus, don't fall for it! Don't succumb to any temptation to believe anything other than what is supported by Scripture. As believers, we look to the Word and the witness of the Holy Spirit inside our hearts, not our circumstances.
Think on the words Jesus spoke to Jarius after he learned that his little daughter had died. The ruler of the synagogue (who represents religious people) told Jarius not to trouble the Master (Jesus). But Jesus has the final word. He turned to Jarius and said, "Fear not. Only believe." Translation - "Don't listen to the world and religious folk! Listen to me!" If you read later on in Luke, you will learn that the little girl was raised up! What a wonderful testimony that family had to share with others - and it's still being shared today!
Yes, things may look hopeless, but don't give up hope! Dead things in our lives may appear permanently dead, but with Jesus there is resurrection power. Perhaps manifestation of your miracle is slow coming - think about Abraham waiting for Isaac to be born, Joseph waiting for his dream to come to pass, David hiding away from evil King Saul, Jesus waiting in Nazareth for 18 years for His ministry to begin ... patience and endurance worked on their behalf and, likewise, they are working on our behalf. Don't give up! Keep believing in God's promises despite the circumstances.
Do not fear! Only believe!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
The New Covenant Has Come!
For if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old [is] ready to vanish away. Hebrews 8:7-13. KJV
Under the New Covenant, we become born again, new creations in Christ Jesus - and as these Scriptures tell us, God puts his perfect law of love and the law of liberty in Christ into our minds and writes them in our hearts. When that happens, God becomes a personal God to us and we become His children - we come to know Him through that born again experience, not through any works on our part.
Under the Old Covenant of the Law (the ten commandments written and engraved on stones), we did not know God and had no way of knowing Him, because of our sin in not keeping the Law fully. As a result, that sin created a guilty, shamed, and condemned heart, which is a barrier to knowing a perfect and holy God.
But PRAISE GOD, under the New Covenant, we have received mercy and our sins and iniquities are remembered no more! They were all placed on the body of Jesus Christ and have been put away forever! Therefore, guilt is gone, condemnation is gone, shame is gone! We have a new, clean heart and mind, because we are under a New Covenant. The old is old and is ready to vanish away. God is done with the Old Covenant and is now under the New Covenant because of what His Son Jesus did on the cross. Jesus isn't hanging on the cross anymore, He isn't dead - He's alive, resurrected, glorified, and seated at the Father's right hand. We have His righteousness, we are no longer sinners.
Under the Old Covenant of the Law (the ten commandments written and engraved on stones), we did not know God and had no way of knowing Him, because of our sin in not keeping the Law fully. As a result, that sin created a guilty, shamed, and condemned heart, which is a barrier to knowing a perfect and holy God.
But PRAISE GOD, under the New Covenant, we have received mercy and our sins and iniquities are remembered no more! They were all placed on the body of Jesus Christ and have been put away forever! Therefore, guilt is gone, condemnation is gone, shame is gone! We have a new, clean heart and mind, because we are under a New Covenant. The old is old and is ready to vanish away. God is done with the Old Covenant and is now under the New Covenant because of what His Son Jesus did on the cross. Jesus isn't hanging on the cross anymore, He isn't dead - He's alive, resurrected, glorified, and seated at the Father's right hand. We have His righteousness, we are no longer sinners.
If that is the case, then why do many of us continue to hear sermons in our local churches every week telling us we are sinners, reminding us of our sins, and warning us to ask God for forgiveness of our sins? Sins have been put away forever - the Father remembers them no more - and yet sin is still the number one topic of discussion in some of our churches. Yes, grace is preached, but it is being poured into the old wineskin of sin and the Old Covenant, nullifying and frustrating the wonderful grace God has given us in Christ Jesus.
Old Covenant teachings confuse the New Testament believer - they bring back guilt and condemnation that weakens our faith. Stop listening to Old Covenant sermons and start listening to the truth of the New Covenant. Sure, you can read and study from the Old Testament scriptures, but see the New Covenant truths of righteousness in Christ and the blessing of Abraham hidden there, not Old Covenant realities of sin, death, and destruction!
Old Covenant teachings confuse the New Testament believer - they bring back guilt and condemnation that weakens our faith. Stop listening to Old Covenant sermons and start listening to the truth of the New Covenant. Sure, you can read and study from the Old Testament scriptures, but see the New Covenant truths of righteousness in Christ and the blessing of Abraham hidden there, not Old Covenant realities of sin, death, and destruction!
Get excited about living in this wonderful New Covenant Jesus died to give us!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)