PERFECTION IN CHRIST We cannot end this aspect of our study without affirming the wonderful superiority of the New Covenant. Because there is widespread ignorance concerning both the nature and benefits of this Covenant, it will be of value to simply reaffirm it, then draw some cursory observations concerning it.
Devotion 12 of 15
THE SUPERIORITY OF THE NEW COVENANT
The Holy Spirit is very particular concerning the New Covenant. Its details were promised by Jeremiah, and later confirmed to be the covenant currently administered by the exalted and enthroned Christ. Here is Jeremiah's wonderful prophesy.
"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" (Jer 31:31-34, NKJV). Hebrews 8:8-13 confirms this is the covenant in which we are now made accepted, and which Jesus is presently mediating.
There are several things of particular interest in this wonderful covenant. First, observe that it contains no commandments--not a single one. It is comprised totally of promises, or Divine commitments. One only has to read the original promise and the Apostolic affirmation to confirm this.
(1) It will be made by God with both Judah and Israel, into which we have been grafted (Rom 11:17,19,24).
(2) It is NOT like the covenant made with Israel. Even though God was like a husband to them, living, caring for, and guiding them, they broke the covenant. That covenant was, as Romans 8:3 affirms, "weak through the flesh." Unlike the New Covenant, the Old one was a covenant of commandments. In fact, the Ten Commands are called "the words of the covenant, even ten commandments" (Ex 34:28).
(3) God would PUT His law into the inward parts, or mind, of the people.
(4) He would write His law upon their hearts.
(5) He would, in reality, be the God of the people.
(6) They would be God's people.
(7) No more would the constituents of the covenant be exhorted to know the Lord.
(8) They would all know the Lord from the least to the greatest.
(9) God would forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more.
Notice the power of the words: "I will make . . . I will put . . . I will write . . . I will be . . . they shall be . . . No more shall every man . . . they shall all . . . I will forgive their iniquity . . . I will remember their sin no more." In mediating this covenant, Jesus is ensuring these gracious benefits are realized by all who "receive the reconciliation" (Rom 3:25).
It is vitally important that people be told how they come into Christ. It is equally essential that they be told what they possess in Christ. Rarely are these two essentials proclaimed to those drawn to Christ. Myriad of earnest inquirers are woefully ignorant of the necessity of believing the Gospel (Mark 16:16; 1 John 5:10-11), or repentance toward God (Acts 2:38; 3:19), or the public acknowledgment of Jesus as the Son of God (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:10), or being baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38; Gal 3:27), or saving themselves from a wicked generation (Acts 2:40; Phil 2:12). Let it be clear, these are not steps of equal value, nor are they to be submitted to mechanically as though they had power of themselves. It is the New Covenant that makes us perfect, not a series of steps. If that is offensive to some, so be it. That IS what the Spirit affirms: "For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God" (Heb 7:19).
Precious few souls, even if instructed correctly on coming into Christ, have never heard of the details of the New Covenant, or how they are accepted in the Beloved (Eph 1:6), or that the power devoted to them in Jesus is great (Eph 1:18-20), etc.
Those who seek Divine approval upon the basis of achievement know nothing of God's acceptance, for it cannot be achieved in that way. Such individuals--all of them--are repelled by the presence of the Almighty, like Adam and Eve in the garden. In their hearts they know they are not approved. They do not possess a clear conscience, assurance, or confidence to approach the throne of all grace. That is because Law cannot produce such a condition, no matter how ardent the endeavors of those under its administration! Again, it is written, "For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God" (Heb 7:19).
The "better hope" is the New Covenant that has been ratified by the blood of Jesus. It DOES make individuals "perfect" in the eyes of the Almighty. This is not a parabolic way of affirming our acceptance. God's vision is thorough, and everything is "naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account" (Heb 4:13, NASB). If God does not see our sins, it is because they cannot be seen in Christ! That is perfection, here and now, and your faith can grasp it!
-- Tomorrow: WE ARE BEING MADE PERFECT --