Difference between revisions of "Except Your Righteousness Shall Exceed . . . 11"
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Latest revision as of 13:52, 4 May 2022
Except Your Righteousness Shall Exceed . . . 11
"This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." (Hebrews 10:16—NIV)
In terms of righteous behavior, there are two differences between the old and new covenants. The new covenant requires a much higher quality of righteous behavior than is true of the old, and the new covenant provides much more Divine enablement (grace) than was true of the old.
As to the higher quality of behavior, the old covenant commanded the worshiper to slay his bull of fellowship offering at the bronze Altar of Burnt Offering.
The new covenant commands the worshiper to present his body a living sacrifice on the altar of God.
The commandment is infinitely more demanding. The available Divine grace is infinitely more authoritative and powerful.
The worshiper under the old covenant had only his human personality, the Law of Moses, and the blood of animals to help him serve God in righteousness.
The worshiper under the new covenant has many Divine graces and virtues to enable him to respond to the demands of the new covenant:
Forgiveness through the blood atonement made on the cross of Calvary.
Access to the Holy of Holies in order to obtain help in our time of need.
The protection from judgment by the covering of the blood of the Passover Lamb, Christ.
Union with God through eating the flesh and drinking the blood of God's Passover Lamb.
The birth of the Divine Seed in us.
The daily impartation of Divine Life through eating the flesh and drinking the blood of God's Passover Lamb. This includes nourishment for the Life of Christ who is being formed in us and also the moral strength that comes from the Virtue contained in the body and blood of Christ.
The eternal dwelling of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in our personality.
The gifts and ministries given by the Holy Spirit.
The illustrations of how God works with people found in the history of the people of Israel.
The oracles of the Hebrew Prophets.
The testimony and admonition of the Lord Jesus given in the four Gospel accounts.
The testimony and admonition of the Apostles of the Lamb.
The fellowship of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as they assist us in our personal spiritual growth, in the judgments and decisions we make including our ability to discern good and evil and to choose the good and reject the evil, and in our ministry.
The new covenant makes infinitely greater demands on the worshiper in the area of righteous behavior. The new covenant provides infinitely greater grace through which the human personality can be transformed from Adam to the image of Christ;
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29)
And also be brought into complete union with God through Christ.
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. (John 17:21)
To be continued. Except Your Righteousness Shall Exceed . . . 12