Tag: New Covenant

A Broken and Contrite Heart

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After reading my first essay on God’s holiness, Pepper commented — I can see the mirror concept, it is like being in the desert on a moonless night, surrounded by many cars with their brights on, with no place to hide – his holiness illuminates everything. Then she asked – How does it work in practice?

I think a close reading of scripture that reveals God’s holiness defines both (1) moral structure and (2) personality. This interesting feature of holiness is what causes us to cry out — My Lord and my God, forgive me; yet, the following day we kneel with delighted reverence to admire, adore, and worship the one true living God that inhabits eternity.

In this framework, let us consider the moral structure of God’s holiness. I believe moral structure is defined by the law. But not a version of the law that is meant to crush us with rules. Rather a law that defines life boundaries and clearly identifies the things used by Lucifer to put a wedge between us and God. Additionally, through the Law, the one true living God has given us extraordinary insight into the operations and methods of Lucifer. Each element of the law specifies a tool that Lucifer uses to harm us. For example, the law tells us – do not bear false witness against your neighbor. I suggest we view this as a ‘clue’. Lucifer will set us up with opportunities to bear false witness, if he can get us to take the bait, he will snare us. Cleverly, God has given us advanced warning that this is one of Lucifer’s tricks. God is telling us to stay clear of the snare and avoid trouble.

I think we are wise to pay attention to the insight from the law, for we are informed and apprised in advance of when and how Lucifer hoovers, schemes, and works to pull us away from the one true living God. In all of this we can not loose sight of the concept – less of me and more of Jesus. Jesus gives us the insight and power to avoid the snare.

There is more – Consider the beatitudes – Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you, persecute you, and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account (Matthew 5:2-12).

The Beatitudes (beautiful blessings) is a profound rendering (application) of the law, presented in unconditional Love, to nudge our thoughts and actions towards his goodness. I think this is a grand view of how to exude holiness in our daily life. The beatitude blessings tell us there is a reward for our yielding to the nudge of God. This is not works-righteousness – this is victorious living. The message from the blessings is humbling and encouraging at the same time.

What then, is God’s holy personality? I believe his personality (holiness) is represented in human terms by the fruit of the Holy Spirit. I am speaking of things such as self-control, meekness, faith, goodness, gentleness, patience, peace, joy, and the most important thing of all – love. God is the gold standard for each of these attributes. He is these things. What a wondrous thing to have this fruit of His Spirit laid upon us like a mantle of his glory. Paul says – hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Romans 5:5 paraphrased). A broken and contrite heart will never be rejected by God, our unholiness is wiped clean by Jesus. We take refuge in Jesus. When God looks at us, he sees our redeemer, embedded in us.

I choose Jesus.

Unmerited Grace for All

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It has been my observation that we Christians look to the Bible for lasting meaning and hope; this search allows us to use our reasoning abilities as God intended. The Bible presents the reality of God (implied in Revelation 1:8), who has revealed Himself to all people (implied in Psalms 19:1-2).

The apostle Paul argued this point when he wrote, “since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, eternal power, and divine nature have been clearly seen; being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). This declaration, in which God reveals Himself through nature, is also shown to the heart of every person, for “that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them” (Romans 1:19).

John Calvin referred to this as the ‘sensus divinitatis’, which is an innate sense of divinity, an intuitive knowledge that God exists. Calvin wrote, “there exists in the human mind and indeed by natural instinct, some sense of Deity.” He further states, “All men of sound judgment will therefore hold, that a sense of Deity is indelibly engraved on the human heart.” Calvin also wrote, “there never has been, from the very first, any corner of the globe, any city, any household, without religion, [which] amounts to a tacit confession, that a sense of Deity is inscribed on every heart.”

The problem is not with God’s clear revelation, but with the human heart which is rebellious. For those possessed with sinful persistence, they suppress the truth with their unrighteousness (implied in Romans 1:18). These rebels have a sinful heart that ignores God’s grace to pursue earthly passions.

In Romans 1:21-23 Paul wrote — For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. (NIV).

God never forces Himself on anyone. People are free to choose whether to accept Him or not. If they reject the gentle nudge from the Spirit of God, he does not render the final judgment upon them right away. Rather, God extends to them an undeserved period of kindness and goodness, regardless of whether they have yielded to grace or continue rebelling (implied in John 3:16). But death brings the period of kindness to closure.

This grace is dependent on God and not the attitude or actions of men. Jesus said of His Father, that “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). Paul affirmed this grace, saying, “In the generations gone by, He permitted all the nations to go their own ways [in rebellion]; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:16-17). Here, God’s grace is obvious, Elohim provides what we need. He even blesses the unsaved and unrepentant. His love, mercy, and goodness are extended toward the undeserving entirely because of his earnest goal to see all of us yield to Grace before we die.

Salvation comes to us by grace alone (it is an undeserved gift), through faith alone (adding no works), by Jesus alone (as the only One who saves). Paul wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation comes to us via the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (implied in Romans 10:9). We deserve death; but grace abounds through the ransom paid by the Lamb of God.

I choose Jesus.

Reconnecting with God’s Promise

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Written By Dan

It has been my observation while reading Psalm 115, our God reassures us that reconciliation and grace are always on the table, waiting for us to engage, waiting for us to yield. God made the earth we walk upon; he made all things on the earth for us. The earth was intended to be a cool place for us to live. It is unmistakably generated by God’s power, with his authority, and his immense wisdom. Yet, it pleases Him to make space for us to govern ourselves on earth and make use of his resources. His hand stretched out and created the heavens, he commanded all the hosts (angels) bringing them into existence, governing their activities and influence. All this is extremely good news for Israel, their God is creator and overseer of the universe.

Psalms 115: 1-11 says — Not to us Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. Why do the nations say, where is their God? Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. All you Israelites, trust in the Lord—he is their help and shield. House of Aaron, trust in the Lord—he is their help and shield. You who fear him, trust in the Lord—he is their help and shield. (NIV)

This is easy to ingest academically, but it is hard for me to wrap my mind around all this, to embrace it, and rely on it in everything we do or say. We are told in concrete language what God will do for us, that we might rest in his assurances, and build our life upon the notions of grace, redemption, and salvation. Let yourself think of this from God’s view. We are scheduled to last forever. Always around. Imagine one of your neighbors scheduled to be your neighbor forever. Always leaning in for more favors, wanting play time, wanting help in the yard, needing help to repair car troubles in the middle of the night, long endless talks. No relief – forever — 24/7 forever. Imagine a trillion of your closest neighbors always there forever. That is God’s perspective with a human flair. What an amazingly patient God we have. What human would design or plan this?

We have been given a remarkable gift. Liberty forever. This liberty has been proclaimed on the hilltops; God has put power into our hands. God has raised us up in righteousness, so that he may execute his promises through our hands. We are blessed.

What if I was an exiled Jew in Babylon; hoping (vaguely) for a return to a promised land I can barely remember. It seems like a hollow promise, never to be honored, but I say the words to stay out of trouble with my Jewish neighbors. I wait, wondering if the promise might be true. And then comes Cyrus. He closes in on my Babylon; we are anxious, not sure what will happen. Then it becomes clear. Cyrus captures the city and seems to be a reasonable person. Then Cyrus talks about sending the Jews home. Cyrus says he plans to facilitate the rebuilding of Jerusalem. How could I have planned that? Could this happen? The promise seemed like a bridge too far, but now things are changing. Who is this God? My Goodness. What is next?

Then I heard we are leaving for Jerusalem in a few days. We were captives, now we are a migrating nation, heading home. Home. How could this happen? Our bondage is over. God has redeemed us. He really did what he said he would do. Selah. Assuming the New Covenant and grace are part of your life, Elohim’s unmerited affection underscores a promise. The promise? We are heading home.

I choose Jesus.

Unmerited Grace for All

Published on by DanLeave a comment

Written By Dan

It has been my observation that we Christians look to the Bible for lasting meaning and hope; this search allows us to use our reasoning abilities as God intended. The Bible presents the reality of God (implied in Revelation 1:8), who has revealed Himself to all people (implied in Psalms 19:1-2).

The apostle Paul argued this point when he wrote, “since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, eternal power, and divine nature have been clearly seen; being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). This declaration, in which God reveals Himself through nature, is also shown to the heart of every person, for “that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them” (Romans 1:19).

John Calvin referred to this as the ‘sensus divinitatis’, which is an innate sense of divinity, an intuitive knowledge that God exists. Calvin wrote, “there exists in the human mind and indeed by natural instinct, some sense of Deity.” He further states, “All men of sound judgment will therefore hold, that a sense of Deity is indelibly engraved on the human heart.” Calvin also wrote, “there never has been, from the very first, any corner of the globe, any city, any household, without religion, [which] amounts to a tacit confession, that a sense of Deity is inscribed on every heart.”

The problem is not with God’s clear revelation, but with the human heart which is rebellious. For those possessed with sinful persistence, they suppress the truth with their unrighteousness (implied in Romans 1:18). These rebels have a sinful heart that ignores God’s grace to pursue earthly passions.

In Romans 1:21-23 Paul wrote — For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. (NIV).

God never forces Himself on anyone. People are free to choose whether to accept Him or not. If they reject the gentle nudge from the Spirit of God, he does not render the final judgment upon them right away. Rather, God extends to them an undeserved period of kindness and goodness, regardless of whether they have yielded to grace or continue rebelling (implied in John 3:16). But death brings the period of kindness to closure.

This grace is dependent on God and not the attitude or actions of men. Jesus said of His Father, that “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). Paul affirmed this grace, saying, “In the generations gone by, He permitted all the nations to go their own ways [in rebellion]; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:16-17). Here, God’s grace is obvious, Elohim provides what we need. He even blesses the unsaved and unrepentant. His love, mercy, and goodness are extended toward the undeserving entirely because of his earnest goal to see all of us yield to Grace before we die.

Salvation comes to us by grace alone (it is an undeserved gift), through faith alone (adding no works), by Jesus alone (as the only One who saves). Paul wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation comes to us via the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (implied in Romans 10:9). We deserve death; but grace abounds through the ransom paid by the Lamb of God.

I choose Jesus.

The Deal is Off!

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Essay By Dan

It has been my observation while reading the Book of Hebrews, the author has gone to great lengths to relate the importance of the last supper to the old and new covenant. Now let us couple the message from the Book of Hebrews on the covenant with events that occurred during the Last Supper. We see in Matthew and Luke that Jesus explained to the disciples why He was going to be nailed to a cross. During that discussion, He took them right to the blood of the covenant and its purpose therein.

In Matthew we read – “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup and he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you; I will not drink from this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’ ” (Matthew 26:26-29 paraphrased)

At the Last Supper, Jesus carefully explains the spilling of his blood initiates the new covenant (atoning ransom sacrifice for our sins), this ransom message is noticeably clear in Matthew. Jesus presents himself as both the high priest (mediator) offering the sacrifice and the sacrifice himself.

In Luke, we read — After taking the cup, he said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, — This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me. This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you (Luke 22: 17-20 paraphrased).

Every time we partake in Communion, we hear the message specifying why we take the cup: “This cup is the new covenant in My blood which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins” You are hearing the explanation from Jesus of why He had to die. Communion is part of the definition for a new covenant with God, you violated the old covenant, you deserve to die. Jesus made a new deal for us. Jesus implies — I spoke to my Father, I am going to die (ransom sacrifice) in your place, then my Father will be glorified, and my followers will be redeemed forever.

When I ponder on the implications of communion, I think that Jesus is saying — every time you come to that table, I want you to remember that you are in fellowship with My Father, not because of anything that you have done, but because of what I have done. I died in your place to fulfill the curses that should have fallen on your head. I died the death of a covenant-breaker, even though I was the one who was faithful to the covenant so that all you covenant-breakers who believe on Me, who trust in Me, who have faith in Me alone for your salvation, might come into fellowship, reconciled with God.

Final thoughts – the author of Hebrews is encouraging his Jewish readers to not look back to the old covenant rituals as their way into fellowship with God. The old rituals mean nothing apart from Jesus. Do not look at your works, your service, your status, your reputation, your church job title; do not look at anything but Jesus for your reconciliation with God. Why? If we distance ourselves from the ransom and resurrection of Jesus, inserting our works as proof of worthiness into the formula, there is no reconciliation. The deal is off – the impact of the new covenant has been rendered impotent by our feeble proof!

I choose Jesus.

The Ransom Death

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Essay by Dan

It has been my observation while pouring through the Book of Hebrews there is an interesting linkage between the mediator role and the ransom payment. For example, we read – He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance –now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant (Hebrews 9:15).

The central purpose of Jesus as our mediator for sin is found in the interesting phrase “by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant.” This phrase defines the basis and expression of Christ’s mediatorship in the new covenant as His unwarranted (Jesus had no sin) sacrificial death (Jesus stepped into our place with a ransom for our sin). Therefore, His sinless payment of the ransom and the promises of the new covenant emerge with unmistakable power and victory.

God has been nurturing and growing the Israelites for eons. He was passionately protective of them. Furthermore, we note — Jesus bought (purchased with his ransom) all the sins committed (by Israel, God’s chosen people) under the first covenant. He bought every sin committed by each individual son and daughter of Abraham with his sacrifice. We are wise to notice a key element of the pro bono new covenant implemented by a gracious God that extended this ransom over the gentiles. Jesus explained His death just before His crucifixion; both Matthew and Mark documented Jesus citing a phrase from Exodus 24;”this is the blood of the covenant.” Selah!

Contrasting the Old Testament rituals with the work of Jesus leads us to understand the old ways will never impart everlasting life with the one true living God. In Hebrews 6:1 we find clear affirmation; the old school rituals lead to death. The new covenant (replacement for the old rituals) sets us perfectly free from any need to engage in such things. I think the extensive discussion about the blood of Christ in the Book of Hebrews is designed to calm the Jewish conscience and leave them ready to embrace the eternal inheritance provided by the new covenant (see Hebrews 6:12).

We know from Luke and from Paul the importance of the Jeremiah 31 phrase; “this is the new covenant in my blood.” It was as if Jesus was saying — If you want to understand the covenant, you need to understand that My death and resurrection is the event that delivers the covenant promises prophesied hundreds of years earlier through Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Moses. My death brings a resurrection through those promises. My death unlocks your heart. This is my gift as mediator of the new covenant.

As the mediator, He is paying for the penalty of sin and buying back those sins committed by all those who believe in Him as Savior and choose to walk with God. This begs the question — is there any possibility of someone saying, “Well, that is nice that Jesus has done that, but I am going to find my path to God – on my own.” Our response? “Huh?” How did you decide on your defense? How did you present your case to Elohim? What was his response? Have you appealed your case? To whom? How is that working out for you? There is only one path to the Father. Jesus said, of himself – “I am the way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes unto the Father but by Me.” (John 14:6)

The deeper truth – The ransom death is intense, draconian, and brutal. Yet, the ransom is embedded in the message of our salvation. It is the cornerstone of God’s unconditional love for us. His ransom death paid the penalty for all sin; do you know of any other way for that ransom to be paid? I think not. Only the death of the Mediator can clear the debt. Only a perfect offering presented in the heavenly temple can adjudicate our sin. There is no other path possible. None. Nada.

I choose Jesus.

The Game Changer

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Essay By Dan

While reading Hebrews 9:24-25, I observed a few pithy comments concerning the Mediator entering the Sanctuary in Heaven. The author of Hebrews writes — Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the High Priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own (Hebrews 9:24-25).

One of the underlying assumptions in the Book of Hebrews is — we are estranged from God because of sin — there needs to be mediation to implement our reconciliation with the Father. When we think of the mediator, we should focus on our reconnection with God. This reconnection happens through Jesus as our: Prophet (foreknowledge concerning our need – Isaiah 42:1), Priest (adjudication of our sin and reconciliation – Hebrews 5:10); and King ( submitting our heart to the authority of Jesus – John 12:15).

Hebrews 9:24-28 tells us there is only one mediator ever existent who can remove our sin and that we shall not look to anything else; we shall not look to our own works; we shall not look to the imperfect temple in Jerusalem which existed in the Old Covenant because we now live in the time of the New Covenant where the one true living mediator has established operations in the heavenly temple.

But there is more to this story. Jesus is the ultimate High Priest. All through the Book of Hebrews the author explains how Jesus is superior and the only realistic hope of salvation. With Jesus, there is no need to return to the priestly sacrifices of the Old Testament. When Jesus came as High Priest (the Messiah), he went to the greater and perfect tabernacle in Heaven. He did not enter the heavenly temple with the blood of critters; He entered the heavenly temple presenting his own blood, redeeming all of us with his perfect offering. With the old covenant, the blood of goats and bulls (critters) only sanctified us to be outwardly clean. The blood of Christ (through the eternal Spirit) offered himself unblemished to God. He cleansed our internal consciences from the acts that lead to death so that we may repent and serve the one true living God in grace and in truth (Hebrews 9:11-14 paraphrased). Our peace is the product of the unappeasable sorrow caused by His death and uncontrollable joy caused by His resurrection. Jesus is our righteousness.

Jesus did not enter an earthly sanctuary (a copy of the true one); he entered heaven itself, to be our mediator in God’s presence. He did not enter heaven’s temple to offer himself multiple times, the way the Jewish High Priest does every year on earth. But he appeared once in the heavenly temple, for all time, to negate all sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as Adam’s sin conferred sin and judgement to the world, so the blood of Jesus removes the sins of the world. Jesus offered himself as a global solution of reconciliation for the global problem of sin present in all of us. Soon, Jesus will appear a second time to implement the plan promised to all Christians. This plan defines our extraction out of our current existence to our forever existence (Hebrews 9:24-28 paraphrased).

The deeper truth is – day after day, the religious man stands and performs his religious duties; day after day, he offers the same tired works (sacrifice). He gradually learns this earthly sacrifice will never earn his place in heaven. The old covenant law will never change our heart, it only reminds us of our failures.

Then enters Jesus — the mediator prepares us so the Holy Spirit can write the law on our heart. This action by God retools our thinking, needs, inclinations, desires, and our focus. The mediator is the ultimate Game Changer. Jesus and the Holy Spirit reconstruct us to live forever. Selah.

I choose Jesus.