1071. Forgiveness From God: Contrasting the Old Covenant to the New

One of the biggest struggles for those who have been chained to various types of legalism is the worry that God hasn't forgiven them. Perhaps such a concern is because of something they did or they may have frequently done. It usually results in people feeling as though they need to repeatedly seek more forgiveness from God, over and over again. This leaves people wondering from day to day if they are truly forgiven.

This has similarities to the Jewish people under the obsolete Old Covenant, before the cross and resurrection. They kept offering one bloody animal sacrifice after the other—which only provided a temporary covering or atonement. If a renewed forgiveness by God is still needed whenever one falls short of perfect performance, how is it any different from what the writer of Hebrews calls a new and better covenant? The good news is ... Jesus offered one sacrifice (as opposed to many sacrifices under the law). That is all that was needed. He took sin away, once for all, and ended the sacrificial system forever—which God never desired in the first place.

In this episode we mentioned that we have talked about 1 John 1:9 several times over the years. Here is one episode on that subject in case anyone wants to go back and listen.

https://www.growingingrace.org/2024/03/952-fleeing-from-falling-into-forlorn.html




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1049. The Common Clash Between the Gospel and the Red Letters

There is a common misconception within the Christian mindset that the words Jesus spoke to His disciples and others should also be considered as if He was speaking to all future believers. But the primary mission of Jesus was to minister to the lost sheep of the house of Israel ... Jewish people who were under a different religious system of the Mosaic law which could not bring them life or righteousness.

While there are some demonstrations, blips, and words looking forward to a new and different covenant, there is very little good news contained within the chapters and verses in those books about the gospel of grace.




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1019. A Ministry of Works That Was Not of Faith

We're continuing on the question as to why the Christian church world has largely mixed law and grace. Something that is often overlooked from the legalistic side of the fence is that the old Mosaic law of stone tablets was not rooted in or based upon faith. Think about that. The religious mixture emphasized so frequently has confused "doing" with faith—much like those who were under the law prior to the cross.

Most have failed to realize the law of rules and regulations was not given to reduce sin ... but rather it resulted in sin increasing under that ministry. Today, Christians tend to formulate their own modernized version of law/works that may include some trace elements from the law contained in the first covenant for the Jewish people. The goal is to make it more doable so that people can feel as though they have contributed to improve their position with God.

The law of works had a purpose ... but also had an expiration date for the Jewish people (until the Seed would come). Jesus came. Grace came with Him. This has overshadowed the shadow through a promise. Grace through faith is a guarantee found within the person of Jesus. It has no place being blended with something that was incapable of bringing life or righteousness.



   
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1018. A Listener Asks: Why Do So Many Churches and Christians Mix Law and Grace?

There is a wide array of different church affiliations out there around the world and many have very differing points of view on many different things. But there are some common threads found through the spectrum. First, most believe that they pretty much use the Bible as the source for their beliefs. Second, they mix an "old covenant" that Israel was under with a new and better covenant established after Jesus died.

The first covenant came through Moses and was based on pursuing righteousness by works and deeds. The second came by Jesus Christ, bringing a realization of grace and the gift of righteousness apart from works and deeds. Two very different covenants—manifested at different times—and were not alike.

Naturally, this begs the question: Why do so many Christians and churches feel the need to have a "balance" by mixing law and grace? We offer some possibilities on this week's program.



   
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1006. Choose Life (It's Found in Jesus, Not Works and Law)

The law that came to the Jewish people through Moses was considered to be a word that they believed was able to save their souls and result in attaining righteousness. The only requirement was for them to do it—all of it. After the cross, even Jews who came to believe in Jesus lacked an understanding about a new and better covenant ... as they continued to pursue a relationship with that law of works.

The difference in gaining life is found in Christ by faith. Under the law in Deuteronomy 30, "The word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it." It is referencing the word of the law. Paul quoted this reference in Romans 10 but brought a needed revealing of the gospel ... "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."

The word of law that demands doing vs. the word of faith that results in justification by believing ... the difference is as far as the east is from the west.



   
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986. Jesus: "Observe All That I Commanded You" (Uh Oh)

We pulled an email from the archives that we received from a listener who was explaining that their pastor believes the "sermon on the mount" was a teaching from Jesus that was meant as a list of new instructions—a Christian thing for future believers to follow and obey.

They arrived at that conclusion because of something Jesus said to His disciples after the resurrection: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."

As believers in Christ living inside of a new and better covenant ... is it the goal for us today to work at following everything Jesus shared with His disciples or charged them to do? It seems like a simple answer, after all, we're talking about the red letters, right? But let's consider the bigger context of what that would mean if we were to work at applying every syllable found in each Bible verse containing the words of Jesus.



   
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985. Fully Accomplished: The Law, The Prophets and The Psalms Fulfilled

Jesus told His disciples that He did not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets but to fulfill. And what was meant when He said that not one jot or tittle will pass from the law? Does this contradict what Paul said about the law having been abolished by Jesus in His flesh?

For those who might suggest the words of Jesus in Matthew 5 imply that the Mosaic law continues to function in some way, shape or form ... they may want to pause and carefully examine what that would look like—every jot and every tittle. In addition, Jesus said the law would not pass ... (wait for it) ... "until all is fulfilled" (or accomplished).

This is a follow-up to our last couple of programs relating to the New Covenant and what it means for Jesus to be declared as High Priest. Jesus completed the job that He was sent to do by fulfilling the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms.



   
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983. The Law Nullified Brought a New and Permanent Priesthood

The world is filled with people wanting to know they are forgiven and in right standing with God. Even professing believers in Jesus may struggle in fear and uncertainty. The foundation of the Christian religion is sometimes a confusing mishmash of works and faith which often puts the focus on behavior and a modernized version of law keeping.

Just exactly what is it that changed when Jesus shed blood and was declared to be the one and only eternal High Priest? Something significant changed and it had to do with the old Mosaic law of commandments being set aside, nullified, cancelled, abolished and declared obsolete. It resulted in a change of law which could not bring perfection—not an amendment to the existing law—but a removal of something that was to be completely replaced, resulting in Jesus becoming the guarantee of a better covenant.



   
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982. We Can't Undo the Work of the Cross (The New Covenant Guarantee Cannot Fail)

We've received some heartbreaking letters over the years from people living in fear and torment. Much of this is because of misinformation being communicated from those claiming to be educated Bible teachers. Some are leading a local church, while others are quite popular nationally, with books, big churches, and TV or radio ministries. Some even prefer to be called "doctor."

There are far too many people today who have been told that their salvation and justification is not guaranteed ... that it is up to them to do things to try and maintain an acceptable position with God. Let's take a closer look at the truly good news found within a better covenant that cannot fail because God swore by Himself with a promise—because He could swear by no one greater. It ushered in a permanent, eternal High Priest.

This assurance allows us to draw near to God through a better hope which is an anchor for the soul, sure and steadfast.



   
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978. God's Long-Term Plan for the World: A Better Covenant

The New Covenant is far better and more glorious than the old and obsolete one established with the people of Israel initiated during the days of Moses. In other words, the ministry of JESUS is superior to the first covenant containing the law. Why? The old way required the people to hold up their end of the agreement (they said they would do it—but they didn't). The new way of Jesus would be based on an oath God made—swearing to Himself—because he could swear by no one greater.

A covenant is generally agreed upon by two or more parties. But this new way was established by God—between Father and Son—so that it could not fail and fault could not be found. It would be a covenant made available to all people—both Jews and Gentiles ... because the scripture has confined everyone under sin. In other words, everyone has fallen short and is in need of Jesus—the Savior who takes away the sins of the world.



   
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