The New Covenant – A
Better Covenant
puricarefiles
“18 For on the one hand, a former commandment
is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the
other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
20 And it was not
without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without
an oath, 21 but this one was
made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:
“The Lord
has sworn
and will not change his mind,
‘You are a priest forever.’”
and will not change his mind,
‘You are a priest forever.’”
22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant” Hebrews 7:18-22
(ESV).
There are
some groups today that consider any Christian who worships on Sundays instead
of on Saturdays, to be outside the true Christian faith.
These people
still do not really believe that the new covenant instituted by the Lord Jesus
Christ is better than the old one.
The rigid
rules of legalism had been for centuries a perennial problem the church.
The apostle
Paul, for example, has to admonish the Galatians for trying to ensure their
salvation by observing the Old Testament Law.
Like them,
the original audience of the book of Hebrews doubted the superiority of the new
covenant.
The New
Covenant or New Testament has the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, as the eternal
High Priest who was appointed not on the basis of legal descent but on the
basis of an indestructible life thus, there should not be any doubt about its
superiority (Hebrews 7:16 ).
Unlike the
priests of the Old Testament, Jesus, this High Priest was made so by means of a
divine oath:
“20And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly
became priests were made such without an oath, 21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the
one who said to him: ‘The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, You
are a priest forever.'" Hebrews 7:20-21 (ESV)
This oath “makes Jesus the guarantor of a better
covenant” (Hebrews 7:22). This is not
to say that the old covenant was not good. It is just saying that the new
covenant is much better and more glorious.
We who are
covered by the new covenant have the advantage that instead of looking forward
to the day when God would solve our sin problem, we now can look back to the
Cross as the fulfillment of God’s answer to the problem of sin.
We do not have
to go to the Old Testament temple again and again to offer animal sacrifices
for our sins. We can now give thanks and rejoice because of the One who offered
His life as the perfect atonement at the cross – Jesus Christ.
We have a
mediator who is without sin, eternal in the heavens, and is able to help those
who come to Him in faith:
“Consequently, he is able to save to the
uttermost those who draw near to God through
him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25 (ESV)
To “to save to the uttermost” literally
means that there is no situation in this life that is beyond His attention and
control. There
are those who say that the gospel of Jesus Christ is from the “uttermost to the guttermost“ that is,
to every detail in life. Gospel means good news,
The old
covenant’s priestly ordinances were destined to pass away. But we have a
covenant that will endure forever because Jesus, our High Priest lives forever.
God the
Father would not have replaced the old covenant if the new one is not so much better
and more wonderful. It is wonderful because it has Jesus as guarantor.
The new covenant transforms us into servants who
gladly and willingly obey Christ in all things. Christ, our guarantor, works in
our hearts and will remove the presence of sin from us just as He has already
eliminated its penalty.
In this life, we will live in ever greater
obedience to Christ. When He returns, we will be finally and completely
conformed to His glorious image.
“Just as we have
borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear
the image of the man of heaven.”
1 Corinthians 15:49 (ESV)
God has sworn that this covenant will never be
superseded. There is nothing that will ever make Him change that.
Why not reflect on your status as being covered by
the new covenant? Remember that you live in a better period than any of the old
covenant saints.
Perhaps, you have considered to partake of the new
and living way being offered to you.
Settle that sin issue now by calling on God. He has
promised that anyone who calls on Him shall be saved.
“Father
God, I confess I am a sinner and my sins have separated me from You.
I
am truly sorry. I now want to turn away
from my past sinful life and live a new life pleasing to You.
Please
forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again.
I want to receive all that Jesus Christ has
provided for me as my Savior. Your Word says, ‘Whosoever shall call on the name
of the Lord shall be saved’ (Romans
10:13).
I believe and confess that Jesus Christ is
the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no man comes unto the Father, but by Him.
Lord Jesus, I pray and ask You, to come into
my heart and be Lord of my life. I thank You that you have given me eternal
life, and according to Your Word, I am born again.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of
the Holy Spirit Who is in me now. I promise to study Your Word – the Bible.
I surrender my life to You. Use me for Your
glory.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RELATED
POSTS:
I Choose to Believe
in Miracles
.
The Great Exchange
.
Are You a Good
Person? All our righteousness are just filthy rags to Him
“My Jesus, My Saviour”
(Shout
To The Lord)
Michael W. Smith
lyrics
My Jesus,
My Saviour,
Lord there is no one like you,
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love.
My comfort, my shelter,
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You.
Chorus:
Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing,
Power and majesty, praise to the King!
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar,
At the sound of your name!
I sing for joy at the work of your hands,
Forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.
Repeat verse
My Jesus, my Saviour,
Lord, there is none like You
All of my days, I want to praise,
The wonders of your mighty love
Lord there is no one like you,
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love.
My comfort, my shelter,
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You.
Chorus:
Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing,
Power and majesty, praise to the King!
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar,
At the sound of your name!
I sing for joy at the work of your hands,
Forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.
Repeat verse
My Jesus, my Saviour,
Lord, there is none like You
All of my days, I want to praise,
The wonders of your mighty love
My comfort, my shelter,
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You
Chorus x2
No comments:
Post a Comment