How can we better understand the New Covenant?
WHY THE OLD COVENANT WAS REPLACED FOR NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANS?
First, it was not replaced because God was replaced. Some believe that the old harsh God of the Ancient Israelites was replaced by a young reformer, Jesus Christ. This reformer came to do away with the Law and replace it with grace. We all know that this is a gross misunderstanding and an over simplified view of the Bible. However, many without thinking it through, believe these concepts. We realize that Jesus is the God of the Old Testament; that God is grace and love as well. See John 1:1, 14 and 8:56-59.
Secondly, Jesus specifically said He did not come to do away with the Law. See Heb. 8:6, Mat 5:17-18. Jesus came to deepen the law and make it more binding. Read the remainder of Mat. 5. Paul makes it clear that grace does not nullify the Law. See Romans 3:31, 6: 1-2, Eph. 1:7-9. The Old Covenant with Israel failed because the people broke their end of the bargain not God, nor were God’s Laws inadequate or harsh. See Heb 8:6-9. The people broke the covenant so God temporarily divorced Israel. God will convert them in the future and bring them back but first Jesus will DEVELOP His Church which will include people from many nations.
THE OLD COVENANT WAS BETWEEN GOD AND A NATION WITH ONLY PHYSICAL BLESSINGS. BUT THE NEW IS SPIRITUAL AND WILL BE WRITTEN IN OUR HEARTS.
Paul says that Jesus as our high priest made us a better covenant with better promises. Our better reward includes being in GOD’S FAMILY AS SONS AND DAUGHTERS. Paul says do not neglect so great a salvation. The world to come will be put under our control, not angels. See Hebrews 2:3-11. We will be brothers of Jesus. Wow! Our part of the covenant is to learn or grow into obeying at the core of the Law the spiritual level. See John 14:15 “If you love me says Jesus, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS”. See also John 15:9-15. See also Heb 7:21-22. Heb. 9:15, Mat. 26:26-28.
Israel, except for a few leaders like Moses, David and Daniel, broke the covenant which included only physical blessings. This physical nation laid the ground work for God’s plans for all of us. Paul explains much of this in Romans chapters 9 thru 11.
CHRIST WANTS US TO DEVELOP A CLOSE DEEP SPIRITUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
God had planned all this long ago. We were predestined to be the sons of God. See Romans 8:21-23, 29. The planet is waiting for the sons of God, us if we remain faithful and in Christ. Wow! Paul says that this new covenant will put the law into our minds and our hearts. See Heb 8:10-13. This in no way contradicts the Old Testament for Paul is quoting Jeremiah 31:31-34.
The goal or end of the law is Christ in us, in our hearts and minds. See IICor 3:3. This is the natural progression from the physical to the spiritual. Our goals is help and cooperate with God’s work of writing the Law of love inside us. We must bring every thought word and deed into obedience of Christ. This of course is impossible for us alone. We must be thoroughly rooted and grounded in Christ’s love for this to be accomplished. We need to be as hungry for the Bible as a new born baby is for milk. The baby knows it must scream for mother’s milk or die if not feed frequently. We need that kind of hunger for knowledge and closeness to God. See IPeter2:2-5. We are being built into a spiritual house and should look at the long range or big picture regarding ourselves (last 5 years or so) to see if we are moving closer to God like David, or moving away like Saul. Our eternity is at stake.
