Signal F12.06.02.htm

THE OLD AND NEW COVENANTS AND FAITH.

The Ten Commandments or "ten words" from God are for Jews and Gentiles and must be obeyed. (Exodus 20:1 17). As for the supplementary "rules and regulations" or "decrees", these judicial decisions of God were meant for the Jews under the "first covenant". They were a "tutor" leading to The Christ and the perfect Law of the Spirit. (Gal 3:24,25. Eph 2:15). That is the reason why, after Christ had offered himself as a perfect human sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, he then declared this "good news" to those who had already died. (1 Peter 4:6).

The Spirit Law of God through The Christ under the "new covenant" is governed by holy principles on the basis of faith, without fear of punishment for having transgressed decrees of the "first covenant". The condemnatory decrees of the "first covenant" were made obsolete by The Christ. (Heb 8:7-13). Although mankind is no longer under the old covenant, many of its regulations are still beneficial. For example, one should still obey the instruction not to ingest blood, just as one should avoid eating as food those creatures deemed unclean by God. (Lev 11:1 47) (Lev 17:10 14). As to the faithlessness of the Jews under the "first covenant", it has meant reconciliation for the rest of the world (Gentiles). And Almighty God is able to "graft" those Jews who are "beloved for the sake of their forefathers" back into His favour again. (Rom 11:7-32).

The "fruitage" of the spirit cannot be developed in the characters of men while under fear of punishment for disobeying "rules and regulations" of the "first covenant". Righteous spirit "fruitage" is acquired when one is free to make personal spirit readjustments that lead to spirit immortality. (Gal 5:22,23. Eph 4:12,13). So not only is the "new covenant" founded upon better promises, but it excludes summary condemnation for having failed to abide by the "decrees" of the old covenant. For those obedient under the "new covenant", the forgiveness of their sins is proof that the mercy of God triumphs over Judgement. (James 2:12,13 NEB).

The apostle James made clear that faith apart from works is dead. True faith and its works are inseparable. For example: A believer is under an obligation to help his brother in the faith. But the faith of a believer is worthless if he refuses to help a destitute brother when it is in his power to do so. (James 2:14-26). One's faith, if it does not lead to works, is a lifeless thing.

The way of many Jews has been to substitute faith with lifeless knowledge of the Mosaic Law as if justification before God could be secured through Law. (Rom 3:20). But true Christians must speak and act as those who are being set free under the Spirit Law of God through The Christ. For example: They must not show partiality for the rich over the poor, for it is written: "Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the Kingdom He has promised to those who love Him?" (James 2:5 NEB).

As to the meaning of the work of faith in each of us, the apostle Paul explained it simply: "For we have been saved, though only in hope. Now to see is no longer to hope: why should a man endure and wait for what he already sees? But if we hope for something we do not yet see, then, in waiting for it, we show our endurance." (Rom 8:24,25 NEB). Consequently, it is not possible to cultivate faith through fear on witnessing a calamity sent from God. Faith in God begins after one comes to know the loving qualities and Will of God through His Christ, when one shares in the work of having one's spirit created in their "image" and "likeness". (Gen 1:26).

"And what is faith? Faith gives substance to our hopes, and makes us certain of realities we do not see." (Heb 11:1 NEB). The Christ Michael is the standard-bearer of those realities.

12/6/02.