IT IS A NEW COVENANT The New Covenant differs from the Old Covenant. It is more related to promise than to commandment. It does not exclude commands, or minimize their importance. However, it is based upon promise. It raises men to higher consideration. Jesus has taken away the sin of the world, and has reconciled the world to God (Heb 9:26; 2 Cor 5:18-20). He has destroyed the devil, spoiled principalities and powers, and ended the Law as a means to righteousness (Heb 2:14; Col 2;15; Rom 10:4). Because of these accomplishments, Good News can be announced to humanity!
"I will make a new covenant" (Hebrews 8:8)
From this perspective, the New Covenant is actually the first, or oldest, covenant. As it is written, "Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,' as referring to many, but rather to one, ‘And to your seed,' that is, Christ. What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise" (Gal 3:16-18).
Do not miss the glory of this viewpoint! The old covenant was based upon law. The New Covenant is based upon promise! That promise was first given to Abraham, and it was one of blessing. Because it hinged upon the Person of Christ, it was an effective promise that could not be nullified by the imposition of the Law--the first covenant. The Old Covenant was "first" by enactment. The New Covenant was "first" by promise.
By calling the New Covenant "the promise," the Spirit shows it is older than the Law. In fact, the Law "came four hundred and thirty years later." That means God's intention, from the beginning, was to bless humanity through Jesus Christ. Salvation by grace through faith was not an afterthought! Salvation in Christ is not a Divine reaction to man's inability to keep the Law. It is an "eternal purpose," conceived before the world began (2 Tim 1:9). The Lord Jesus Christ confirmed the "promises" made to "the fathers" long before the giving of the Law (Rom 15:8).
Peter confirms that participating in the Divine nature, comes by means of the promises, not the commandments (2 Pet 1:4). Those who come into affiliation with God through the new birth are "partakers of His promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel" (Eph 3:6). So marvelous is this New Covenant, it is associated with eternity--something not addressed by the Old Covenant. Here is an arresting thought: the words "eternal life" are not mentioned in Genesis through Malachi (KJV, NASB, and NIV). The term "everlasting life" is mentioned once in Daniel 12:2--and that is in reference to a coming time (KJV, NASB, and NIV). "Life forevermore" is mentioned once in Psalms 133:3, a prophetic Psalm (KJV, NASB, NIV).
It must be remembered that "eternal life" is the summation of Divine commitment. In words that the Holy Spirit teaches, "And this is THE promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life" (1 John 2:25). The New Covenant provides a basis for us to receive "eternal life."
Law is not the means of obtaining eternal life. Promise emphasizes Divine commitment. Law stressed human responsibility.
At the peak of its glory, the Law was a "ministration of death" and a "ministration of condemnation" (2 Cor 3:7,9). It brought death to those under it. It did not justify sinners, but condemned them. The law was powerless to remove the past or strengthen the present. It could not cause the star of hope to shine, nor could it produce confidence in the heart. It was "weak through the flesh" (Rom 8:3). Because it could find nothing but sin and defilement, the law shut the door to heaven, forbidding men to approach the living God in sinful state. No one on earth could open that door!
How gloriously different the New Covenant! It brings life, not death, and ministers righteousness rather than condemnation (2 Cor 3:6,9). How are these marvelous effects produced? They come by promise! The New Covenant brings an anchor that is "within the veil" (Heb 6:19)--in the throne room of heaven! The New Covenant has a forward posture--one of promise. It primarily secures the future of its constituents--it is a covenant of promise. It is a covenant that was promised of old time, and it is a covenant that brings promises of good things in the future. It is established upon "better promises" (Heb 8:6). These promises do not hinge upon human accomplishment, but upon the acceptance of Divine accomplishments! It is a covenant of promise. Faith is the impetus of this covenant--believing God!
-- Monday: CHRIST, THE PERFECT ONE --