Are new covenant saints called to keep the law?

[The Sojourner]

That's why we need to look to Christ as our only merit and justification before God. Am I somehow suggesting that sin is ok? Absolutely not, but if someone has become a new creature in Christ then sin should be contrary to them as one who has been recreated after the likeness of Christ in true holiness and righteousness. The law made nothing perfect. We are only perfected in Christ.

Yes, indeed, it should be.
And, since sin is defined in the New Covenant as breaking/transgressing The Law (1 John 3:4), the mere idea of breaking/transgressing The Law (sin) should therefore be contrary to us, as one who thinks about it just as it would be (and is) for Christ, after Whose likeness we have been recreated.

The old self (how you were before), then has to die daily (as Paul put it) as the new creature (the new you - what you are going to be like from now on and into the future) grows and becomes established. This new growth requires a daily commitment and effort and to keep step with The Example of Christ that now lives in us.

And by following this Guidance from within us, which requires putting in the effort and doing the work, we learn to come more and more into alignment with The Law and to Love it, as we start to realise more and more the Blessings that come from keeping and obeying The Law which is The Law of Love.

Christ LOVES The Law. So, the more we grow like Christ, the more we will LOVE The Law, too. So, we can also use this as a measure. If we feel at any point that we don't love The Law, then that is a sign that we need to sharpen up because we need to grow more like Christ. He LOVES The Law, and so, if we want to Live with Him, then we need to LOVE The Law (as Christ does), too.

 

[The Sojourner]

God is more interested in creating new men made after his likeness then he is yoking someone to a set of rules and regulations they inwardly loathe keeping due to their flesh.

It is the flesh (the old self) that loathes it, because it doesn't want to be good. The new creature (the new man) doesn't loathe it or find it grievous because the new man wants to be like Christ. The new man now sees (THANKS to Christ) the old self (the flesh and its loathsome desires to sin/transgress/break The Law) as his ENEMY, and therefore crucifies it daily, until it is dead and can no longer cause him to sin/transgress/break The Law.

Paul wrote about this extensively, whereof some things are hard to be understood and the unlearned wrest with it unto their own destruction, as they also do with the other Scriptures, like Peter said.

Christ loves The Law, so he who hates or loathes The Law (it is the old man of the flesh) is therefore Christ's ENEMY, and therefore, the ENEMY of the new creature (the new man/new you), too. And it therefore also, has to be seen as such.

 

[Lyfe]

It is the flesh (the old self) that loathes it, because it doesn't want to be good. The new creature (the new man) doesn't loathe it or find it grievous because the new man wants to be like Christ. The new man now sees (THANKS to Christ) the old self (the flesh and its loathsome desires to sin/transgress/break The Law) as his ENEMY, and therefore crucifies it daily, until it is dead and can no longer cause him to sin/transgress/break The Law.

Paul wrote about this extensively, whereof some things are hard to be understood and the unlearned wrest with it unto their own destruction, as they also do with the other Scriptures, like Peter said.

Christ loves The Law, so he who hates or loathes The Law (it is the old man of the flesh) is therefore Christ's ENEMY, and therefore, the ENEMY of the new creature (the new man/new you), too. And it therefore also, has to be seen as such.

If the law paints you in a favorable light before God then I suppose I should be commending you? It only paints you favorably if you keep all of it. If not then your a lawbreaker and without excuse. That's the great dilemma...

Partial obedience and even near complete obedience is not permissable by the law. All is required.

 

[The Sojourner]

If the law paints you in a favorable light before God then I suppose I should be commending you? It only paints you favorably if you keep all of it. If not then your a lawbreaker and without excuse. That's the great dilemma...

Partial obedience and even near complete obedience is not permissable by the law. All is required.

Animal substitute sacrifices and the priesthood have been replaced by Christ as the High Priest. Therefore, it is no longer required to follow the ordinances relating to the Levitical priesthood, which has been replaced by Christ and the New Covenant.

But the Commandments are still the same in the New Covenant, as they are in the Old Covenant.

Christ quoted them, so we know we have to keep them.
He also said that The Law will not change till heaven and earth passes away.
So the moral Laws are all still exactly the same in the New Covenant as they are in the Old Covenant.

The ceremonial ordinances in The Law are obsolete, since Christ replaced the Levitical priesthood. Now, instead of performing animal sacrifices, which was only a schoolmaster to bring men to Christ, under the New Covenant it has been replaced by daily self sacrifice to follow Christ.

In the Kingdom, The Law will still be the same, so we are to learn to live by it now and make amends as needed. We need to keep the Moral Law, because it has not changed. There are other Laws too that have to do with agriculture and economics. We need to learn those Laws too, in order to be able to return to keeping them as well.

It says in Isaiah, that He will magnify The Law and make it honourable. In the current system, it may not be possible to keep all of it yet (like the Jubilee, etc), but we should still be learning what The Law has to say about it.

Christ focussed on the Moral Laws during His first Coming, on keeping the Commandments, teaching to love God and to love one another, and about Forgiveness, not judging others (only God's Judgments in The Law are to be used), etc. so that seems like a good place to start, by studying Christ's Teachings. But part of it, is also studying and learning God's Law, becuase Christ said whoever will do and teach them will be called great in the Kingdom of heaven, but whoever will break them (even the least) and teach others so, will be called the least in the Kingdom of heaven. By studying The Law to learn it, we learn (and re-affirm) what righteousness is, in God's Opinion. So, we can only benefit by doing so.

 

[Lyfe]

Animal substitute sacrifices and the priesthood have been replaced by Christ as the High Priest. Therefore, it is no longer required to follow the ordinances relating to the Levitical priesthood, which has been replaced by Christ and the New Covenant.

But the Commandments are still the same in the New Covenant, as they were in the Old Covenant.

Christ quoted them, so we know we still have to keep them.
He also said that The Law will not change till heaven and earth passes away.
So the moral Laws are all still exactly the same in the New Covenant as they were in the Old Covenant.

The ceremonial ordinances in The Law are obsolete, since Christ replaced the Levitical priesthood. Now, instead of performing animal sacrifices, which was only a schoolmaster to bring men to Christ, under the New Covenant it has been replaced by daily self sacrifice to follow Christ.

In the Kingdom, The Law will still be the same, so we are to learn to live by it now and make amends as needed. We need to keep the Moral Law, because it has not changed. There are other Laws too that have to do with agriculture and economics. We need to learn those Laws too, in order to be able to return to keeping them as well.

It says in Isaiah, that He will magnify The Law and make it honourable. In the current system, it may not be possible to keep all of it yet (like the Jubilee, etc), but we should still be learning what The Law has to say about it.

Christ focussed on the Moral Laws during His first Coming, on keeping the Commandments, and teaching to love God and to love one another, so that seems like a good place to start, studying Christ's Teachings. But part of it, is also studying and learning God's Law, becuase Christ said whoever will do and teach them will be called great in the Kingdom of heaven, but whoever will break them (even the least) and teach others so, will be called the least in the Kingdom of heaven. By studying The Law to learn it, we learn (and re-affirm) what righteousness is, in God's Opinion. So, we can only benefit by doing so.

I think you( like many) view and prioritize the new covenant from the lens of the old. The old testament often contained shadows of the reality, but these shadows were mere pictures. God used the law until the time of Christ who was to bring in the reality that the law always symbolized. Why would you point to the law now that the reality of Christ and the new way to serve in the holy spirit has come? We resemble Christ on earth the most by a work he does in us by his spirit. The law is external regulation whereas the holy spirit brings internal transformation.

The law and commandments was never the reality, but a shadow of the reality. We now have the holy spirit within who is the spirit of Christ who is our teacher, not the stony tablets and law.

We now have the holy spirit who is the spirit of Christ within us. The law is a picture of Christ and a reflection of who he is, but if the spirit of God is within us then God has given us a new nature that we may think and be just like him.

Your giving preeminence to the law and the shadow rather than embracing the reality and fulfillment. It's like you are pointing to the frame or manual of something even tho they are pictures of something to yet be...

Let me ask you tho.

Do you keep the appointed feasts or are they done away with? Do you not eat pork? Do you refrain from certain clothing?

Do you love God at all times in every situation with all your heart and mind? Do you perfectly obey every conviction you know to be right? Do you pray at all times God prompts you to?

The law can only point out your sin. That's it.

 

[Karlysymon]

Animal substitute sacrifices and the priesthood have been replaced by Christ as the High Priest. Therefore, it is no longer required to follow the ordinances relating to the Levitical priesthood, which has been replaced by Christ and the New Covenant.

But the Commandments are still the same in the New Covenant, as they are in the Old Covenant.

Christ quoted them, so we know we have to keep them.
He also said that The Law will not change till heaven and earth passes away.
So the moral Laws are all still exactly the same in the New Covenant as they are in the Old Covenant.

The ceremonial ordinances in The Law are obsolete, since Christ replaced the Levitical priesthood. Now, instead of performing animal sacrifices, which was only a schoolmaster to bring men to Christ, under the New Covenant it has been replaced by daily self sacrifice to follow Christ.

In the Kingdom, The Law will still be the same, so we are to learn to live by it now and make amends as needed. We need to keep the Moral Law, because it has not changed. There are other Laws too that have to do with agriculture and economics. We need to learn those Laws too, in order to be able to return to keeping them as well.

It says in Isaiah, that He will magnify The Law and make it honourable. In the current system, it may not be possible to keep all of it yet (like the Jubilee, etc), but we should still be learning what The Law has to say about it.

Christ focussed on the Moral Laws during His first Coming, on keeping the Commandments, teaching to love God and to love one another, and about Forgiveness, not judging others (only God's Judgments in The Law are to be used), etc. so that seems like a good place to start, by studying Christ's Teachings. But part of it, is also studying and learning God's Law, becuase Christ said whoever will do and teach them will be called great in the Kingdom of heaven, but whoever will break them (even the least) and teach others so, will be called the least in the Kingdom of heaven. By studying The Law to learn it, we learn (and re-affirm) what righteousness is, in God's Opinion. So, we can only benefit by doing so.

Hey Sojourner, i think you might enjoy this discussion as much as i did.

 

[The Sojourner]

I think you( like many) view and prioritize the new covenant from the lens of the old. The old testament often contained shadows of the reality, but these shadows were mere pictures. God used the law until the time of Christ who was to bring in the reality that the law always symbolized. Why would you point to the law now that the reality of Christ and the new way to serve in the holy spirit has come? We resemble Christ on earth the most by a work he does in us by his spirit. The law is external regulation whereas the holy spirit brings internal transformation.

The law and commandments was never the reality, but a shadow of the reality. We now have the holy spirit within who is the spirit of Christ who is our teacher, not the stony tablets and law.

We now have the holy spirit who is the spirit of Christ within us. The law is a picture of Christ and a reflection of who he is, but if the spirit of God is within us then God has given us a new nature that we may think and be just like him.

Your giving preeminence to the law and the shadow rather than embracing the reality and fulfillment. It's like you are pointing to the frame or manual of something even tho they are pictures of something to yet be...

Let me ask you tho.

Do you keep the appointed feasts or are they done away with? Do you not eat pork? Do you refrain from certain clothing?

Do you love God at all times in every situation with all your heart and mind? Do you perfectly obey every conviction you know to be right? Do you pray at all times God prompts you to?

The law can only point out your sin. That's it.

The Holy Spirit warns and convicts us from within regarding sin and The Law confirms it. So, we get it in Stereo.

 

[Lyfe]

The law gives us a sense of right and wrong. We know right from wrong. We can have the knowledge of sin and know right from wrong and still seek to do right even though our hearts desire wrong. That's why the law makes nothing perfect. It's spiritual and good, but it's also an indictment against all that is ungodly within the human race.

The spirit of Christ makes us inwardly like him. What good is an external law to someone who already knows right from wrong? What good is an external law to someone who has been given a new heart that inwardly desires and seeks after the things of Christ?

Your pointing to the law despite God already doing the work in us to make us new men(made after Christ likeness) by giving us the spirit.

 

[The Sojourner]

The law gives us a sense of right and wrong. We know right from wrong. We can have the knowledge of sin and know right from wrong and still seek to do right even though our hearts desire wrong. That's why the law makes nothing perfect. It's spiritual and good, but it's also an indictment against all that is ungodly within the human race.

The spirit of Christ makes us inwardly like him. What good is an external law to someone who already knows right from wrong? What good is an external law to someone who has been given a new heart that inwardly desires and seeks after the things of Christ?

Your pointing to the law despite God already doing the work in us to make us new men(made after Christ likeness) by giving us the spirit.

So did the apostle Paul, for example, as in 1 Corinthians 14:34.

If someone for instance told you, that the spirit of Christ is saying its ok for them to steal from someone (or, to steal from you), for whatever reason they may come up with, and you then know that to be wrong, then you can say that to them - but its only your word against theirs.

But, then as another witness, you can also quote The Law to them, to back you up in your assertion as a second witness - that stealing is against The Law. Which then proves that you are correct and they are wrong.

As The Law says, by the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall every matter be established. Never by the testimony of only a single witness.

The Law was given to us to protect us, help us and keep us free. It is there to prevent us from being enslaved again, but it can only do so effectively if we follow and use it.

 

[Lyfe]

Paul acctually frequently contrasted the ministration of the law vs the spirit and pointed out how the ministration of the holy spirit is superior. The Christian knows stealing is wrong. Lost people even know it's wrong. It's the work of the holy spirit that acctually renews someone's attitude toward stealing. I used to listen to hip hop. I knew it was evil and still delighted in it. It was the work God did in my heart through his spirit that made me grieve over and hate hip hop.

 

[Lyfe]

There are so many Christians who are still law and torah minded. The law gives us a sense of right and wrong as it brings the knowledge of sin. We know right from wrong. We can have the knowledge of sin and know right from wrong and still even seek to do right despite our heart inwardly desiring wrong. That's why the law makes nothing perfect, because it doesn't have the power to affect change in the heart. The law is spiritual and good, but it's also an indictment against all ungodliness within the human race.

It is the spirit of Christ that makes us inwardly like him. What good is an external law to someone who already knows right from wrong? What good is an external law to someone who has been given a new heart that INWARDLY and INNATELY is made to desire and seek after the things of Christ?

People keep pointing to the law despite God ALREADY doing the work in us to make us new men(made after Christs likeness) by giving us HIS spirit.

Did Christ keep the law, because he was under obligation to do that which is spiritual and good, or was him doing good a direct result of his nature? The law was a tutor and shadow of a Christ. Now that Christ( THE REALITY and our TRUE teacher) has come and lives within us through the spirit why do people keep pointing back to the shadowy substances of the law? They were never the reality. Christ and the ministry of the holy spirit are!

If Christ is within us then his desires and the things he sought after should be our nature and leading. If someone is in Christ and yielding to (not quenching) him then the ministry of the holy spirit(Christ's ministry) will just be a natural extension of us. The direction that the law takes someone in is in the complete opposite direction from the spirit. I have seen so many people get drawn into the correct name of Jesus and then how to properly observe the feasts and before you know it they are living like a jewish citizen under the old covenant. The leading and ministry of the holy spirit will lead someone in the direction of good deeds and being that good samaritan, prayers for healing of the sick, visiting orphans and widows in their distress, proclaiming the gospel and doing good deeds that glorify God. These are ALL THINGS Jesus did led by the spirit! These endeavors are in the opposite direction of where the law will eventually bring someone which is circumcision and learning how to be a Jewish citizen under the old covenant law.. We are called to the ministration of the spirit to bear fruit unto God and not back to the ministration of the law!

2 Corinthians 3:4-8
English Standard Version
4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who HAS MADE US SUFFICIENT TO BE MINISTERS OF A NEW COVENANT,

NOT OF THE LETTER

BUT OF THE SPIRIT. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end,.

8 will not THE MINISTRY OF THE SPIRIT have even more glory?

1 Timothy 1:9-11
King James Version
9 Knowing this, that THE LAW IS NOT MADE FOR A RIGHTEOUS MAN, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

 

[The Sojourner]

Psalms
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Luke 18:18-20
King James Version
18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.

Said Jesus, The Master, when asked what one has to do to inherit Eternal Life. His answer, is most certainly worth paying very careful attention to, for anyone who wishes to be saved.

Amen to that.

You talk about the why. But the important thing, as Christ said, is at the end of it all, that you/we do it. That is the therefore the end goal.

He who is led by the Spirit, will do it. Therefore, he is not under (the curse - the penalty of) The Law, because he/she is not breaking The Law, but walking in the Spirit (and therefore keeping it).

It is, as Christ said.

1 John 2
King James Version
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

Amen and amen.

 

[Lyfe]

The law doesn't credit you for the statutes and precepts you do keep, but rather it holds against you what you fail to keep. Do you get mail congratulating you for keeping the speed limit and not stealing? No! It's required! However when you break the law there is an indictment and guilty verdict in a fair court! The law will have jurisdiction over a person so long as they attempt to live by that way of righteousness.

If you sinned(even in your thoughts and attitudes) this weekend what would the law say about you? It would point out your murmuring and covetesness and idolatry. It would chalk up to a failure to love God AS COMMANDED. Oh how perfect and holy is his law! How we fall short even in our hearts everyday to be fully righteous in mind and heart! I know I am not good which is why I cling to Christ as my righteousness!

 

[Lyfe]

Paul would frequently contrast the ministration of the law vs the ministration of the spirit and even pointed out how the ministration of the holy spirit is the superior way in which we are now called to live for God. The Christian knows stealing, committing adultery, lying, and all these other various sins are wrong. Non Christians even know these things are wrong. The law brings the knowledge of sin, but it cannot change or perfect someones heart toward God.

It's only the work of the holy spirit that can renew someone's attitude toward these things. I used to listen to gangster rap growing up. I knew it was evil and still delighted in it n e ways. It was the work God did in my heart through his spirit that made me grieve over and be repulsed by these things. He gives his children a new heart in Christ! If God is grieved and offended at sin and wickedness then his children begotten by him would be too! God is in them through the spirit!

Ephesians 4:21-24
New Living Translation
21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, LET THE SPIRIT RENEW YOUR THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Colossians 2:11
New Living Translation
11 When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.[a]

Ephesians 4:30
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

John 1:12-13
King James Version
12 But as many as received him, TO THEM GAVE HE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, BUT OF GOD.

 

[The Sojourner]

2 John
King James Version
4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

It is not possible to put The Law behind you if you are following the New Testament/Covenant, because the apostles all make frequent references to The Law and quote from it. When you read the New Testament you are also reading The Law.

Paul was talking about the ceremonial Laws contained within in the Old Covenant, not the Moral Laws.
The Moral Laws in the New Covenant are the same as the Moral Laws in the Old Covenant.

The Old Covenant : The Moral Law + Animal substitute sacrifice, The Ceremonial Laws, rituals and customs of the Old Covenant.
The New Covenant : The Moral Law + Self sacrifice, The Holy Spirit and Teachings of Christ of the New Covenant.

Both contain The Moral Law, which is the same in both Covenants, and are known as The Commandments.

1 John and 2 John explain it well and are both short books that do not take a lot of time to read.

The New Testament is full of quotations and references to The Law, in all the different letters, so reading the New Testament still means reading The Law through those quotations, references and examples by Christ and the apostles.

What is different, is that instead of a levitical priesthood of men and the ceremonial laws, rituals and customs, and substitute animal sacrifices, we now have the Teachings and Example of Christ, self sacrifice and the Guidance from the Holy Spirit teaching us how to live and be from within. The Moral Law is Eternal, it never changes; its a fact of life in the Creation and whoever wants to Live uprightly before The Creator, has to learn to live by it.

 

[The Sojourner]

Paul would frequently contrast the ministration of the law vs the ministration of the spirit and even pointed out how the ministration of the holy spirit is the superior way in which we are now called to live for God. The Christian knows stealing, committing adultery, lying, and all these other various sins are wrong. Non Christians even know these things are wrong. The law brings the knowledge of sin, but it cannot change or perfect someones heart toward God.

It's only the work of the holy spirit that can renew someone's attitude toward these things. I used to listen to gangster rap growing up. I knew it was evil and still delighted in it n e ways. It was the work God did in my heart through his spirit that made me grieve over and be repulsed by these things. He gives his children a new heart in Christ! If God is grieved and offended at sin and wickedness then his children begotten by him would be too! God is in them through the spirit!

Yes, I agree with you!
But The Law is good too. It is holy, just and good as Paul said and that we are to use it Lawfully.
The Law was written for the Israelites who at the time, had stony hearts - hard hearted.
In accepting Christ, God gives us a new heart of flesh - softer and more loving hearts.
But we are still learning the same thing.

 

[Lyfe]

God's word makes mention of two very distinct ministries in 2nd Corinthians. It speaks of the ministration of the holy spirit and the ministration of the old testament law. We are called to be led by the holy spirit and to not succumb to the yoke of bondage( the old testament laws and all it's ceremonies and customs) that Paul frequently addressed. The holy spirit will lead someone into doing the same things that Jesus did in his earthly ministry whereas the leading of the judaizers will bring someone into a very different direction(essentially back into living like a Jewish citizen under the old covenant laws and ordinances). I have seen many who started out free in Christ, but are now zealous for things like the jewish customs and feasts, the proper name for God, dietary restrictions and not eating pork, and then also bringing others into having to observe the same.

We should examine our ways and make sure we are under the leading of the holy spirit and not going in the opposite direction back under the law. We know we are being led by the spirit because he will prompt us into doing the same things Christ did. What did Christ's anointing lead and burden him into?

Luke 4:18-19 ESV
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to PROCLAIM GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR. He has sent me to PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVES and RECOVERING OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, to SET AT LIBERTY THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, to PROCLAIM THE YEAR OF THE LORD’S FAVOR.”

In Christ one is released from the law(all it's binding requirements)and is called, anointed to bear fruit for him. Jesus was the fulfilment of all that the law foreshadowed, he completely satisfied all it's legal demands. If we are in him then we need to acknowledge he did all these things in order that we could be credited with his absolute righteousness in order to be accepted and have peace with God. We need to yield to him and his spirit in what he is now prompting us to do. He is calling us to be used of him to bring his message to the ends of the earth and rescue those are on the broad path that leads to destruction. He wants us to PROCLAIM that true righteousness is only found in him and that he is the only savior of the world!

 

[phipps]

The OP of this this thread is teaching a false doctrine about the law in the New Covenant. It is completely unbiblical and not of God.

And I think s/he does not understand what the Old and New covenants meant/mean. So I will explain briefly what they are.

To understand the two covenants, we first need to understand what a covenant is. The Word "covenant" is a legal term that was used more frequently in the past. Today we use the term "contract". Webster’s dictionary defines a covenant firstly “as a formal, solemn and binding agreement between two or more persons.” Secondly, it is “a written agreement or promise, usually under seal, between two or more parties especially for the performance of some action”.

The Old Covenant.
The old covenant was an agreement between God and Israel which also included an inheritance. The Israelites were to inherit the land of Canaan. This covenant was based on obedience to God.

Exodus 19:3-6, "And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

Notice how God asked Moses to present His offer to the people. Here are all the elements of a true covenant. Conditions and promises are laid down for both sides. If the children of Israel accept God's proposal, a covenant will be established. How did they respond to the divine offer? "So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the Lord commanded him. Then all the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” So Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord." Exodus 19:7-8.

Just as soon as that answer went back to God, the basis for the Old Covenant was set up. But before it could go into formal operation there had to be a sealing or ratifying of the pact. This ritualistic service involved the sprinkling of the blood of an ox on the people and is described in Exodus 24:4-8: "And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord. And he rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel. Then he sent young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord. And Moses took half the blood and put it in basins, and half the blood he sprinkled on the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient.” And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words."

This covenant was not the law itself but was made "concerning all these words." The Ten Commandments were the basis for the agreement. The people promised to keep that law, and God promised to bless them in return. The crucial weakness in the whole arrangement revolved around the way Israel promised. There was no suggestion that they could not fully conform to every requirement of God. Neither was there any application for divine assistance. "We can do it," they insisted. Here is a perfect example of leaning on the flesh and trusting human strength. The words are filled with self-confidence. "All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient."

 

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The New Covenant.

The New Covenant is written of in the Old Testament in the writings of Jeremiah, who prophesied during the last days of the kingdom of Judah on the eve of Babylonian captivity. Let us look at Jeremiah 31:31–34: "Behold, the days are coming,’ says 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 that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them,’ says the LORD. ‘But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel: After those days, says the LORD, I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, “Know the LORD,” for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,’ says the LORD. ‘For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more’ ”

The New Covenant is based on conversion.

This brings us to the very heart of the New Covenant operation. Obedience is made possible by the writing of God's law on the heart. Through spiritual regeneration the mind and heart are transformed. Christ actually enters into the life of the believer and imparts His own strength for obedience. By partaking of the divine nature, the weakest human being begins to live the very life of Jesus Christ, manifesting His victory, and crucifying the flesh.

Paul describes that transaction this way: "For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." Romans 8:3-4.

The word for righteousness is "dikaima," meaning "just requirement" of the law. In other words, because of Jesus' sinless life in the flesh, the requirement of the law can be fulfilled in us. He overcame sin in the same kind of body we have, so that He could impart that victory to us. He will actually live out His own holy life of separation from sin in our earthly bodies if we will permit Him to do so. This is the New Covenant promise for every believing, trusting child of God. And it is absolutely the only way that anyone can meet the requirements of the law: "Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27. "The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20.

It is most important for us to understand that the New Covenant law written on the heart is exactly the same law that was graven on the stone. Those great spiritual principles reflect the very character of God, and form the basis for His government. The difference is not in the law but in the ministration of the law. Written only upon the tables of stone, they can only condemn and minister death, "because the carnal mind ... is not subject to the law of God." Romans 8:7. Received into the heart which has been spiritualized by the converting grace of Christ, the same law becomes a delight. The beloved John declared, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5:3. Not only is the law not grievous for the Spirit-filled child of God, but obedience becomes a joyful possibility. The psalmist wrote, "I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart." Psalms 40:8.

 

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Why the Old Covenant failed.

The book of Hebrews describes the New Covenant as better than the Old Covenant (Hebrews 8:1-2, 6). The obvious questions, then, is why was there fault in the covenant at Mount Sinai? What was wrong with the covenant?

Hebrews 8:6-7, "But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second."

Christ is the mediator of a better covenant than the covenant that was given at Mount Sinai. Why?

Hebrews 8:8, "Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah."

The fault wasn’t with God at Sinai. The fault was with the people. The fault wasn’t with the promises of God; the fault was with the promises of the people. God’s promises are good, faithful and true. He cannot lie.

The people did not remain faithful to the covenant but were disobedient and rebellious. God never broke the covenant. The people did.

Israel made a commitment to be obedient to God, but was unwilling to fulfil its commitment to all that God offered to its inhabitants and the responsibilities this placed on them. The history of Israel is characterized by a rejection of the covenant through a way of life contrary to God’s laws.

God determined to make a new covenant. God said plainly where He found fault: not with the law, not with the Ten Commandments, not with the statutes and judgments, but with the people themselves.

This, together with the fact that the animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant could never take away sins (Hebrews 10:4), meant that the sin problem remained. Only the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all could atone for sin, including those committed under the Old Covenant (Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 9:15). "For the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God" (Hebrews 7:19) through the promise of the New Covenant.