This past Sunday was Resurrection Sunday (or Easter Sunday). Yesterday I shared a message that talked about the importance of the cross. Today’s message will flow in that same vein. We will look at a passage where the Apostle Paul juxtaposes the Old Covenant with the New one. In the comparison, Paul tells us that Jesus took us from condemnation to affirmation. Let’s take a look at the text:
“If the Government of Condemnation was impressive, how about this Government of Affirmation? Bright as that old government was, it would look downright dull alongside this new one. If that makeshift arrangement impressed us, how much more this brightly shining government installed for eternity?
With that kind of hope to excite us, nothing holds us back. Unlike Moses, we have nothing to hide. Everything is out in the open with us. He wore a veil so the children of Israel wouldn’t notice that the glory was fading away—and they didn’t notice. They didn’t notice it then and they don’t notice it now, don’t notice that there’s nothing left behind that veil. Even today when the proclamations of that old, bankrupt government are read out, they can’t see through it. Only Christ can get rid of the veil so they can see for themselves that there’s nothing there.” (2 Cor 3:12-15 Message Bible).
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Paul’s characterization of the Old and New Covenants is important. He called the Old Covenant a government of condemnation. No matter how many goats, bullocks and turtle doves were killed, in the end, the blood of these animals could not wash us clean from sin. Humans were still condemned because of what Adam did in the Garden of Eden. But Jesus changed that. Paul tells us that Jesus took us from condemnation to affirmation. The Bible says, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1). Once you know you are in Christ and Christ is in you, and you know you are going to heaven, it changes the way you live your life. You don’t live in fear. You are free to live in boldness. You are free to live “As Jesus is, in this world!” (1 John 4:17).
2. The New Covenant is permanent. The Apostle Paul called the Old Covenant, written on tablets of stone, a “makeshift arrangement,” and he called the New Covenant, written upon the tablets of our hearts, a “government installed for eternity.” This is important. Jesus is not coming back to establish another covenant. When He comes back it will be to judge the world. So the covenant we have now, which was ratified with the Blood of Jesus, is permanent. You can rest assured that your position in Christ will not change.
3. Under the New Covenant, nothing can hold us back. While speaking of the glorious nature of the New Covenant, Paul said, “With that kind of hope to excite us, nothing holds us back.” When you think about what Jesus did for you on the cross, and how God raised Him from the dead with all power, and how the New Covenant was ratified with Jesus’ own blood, you can’t help but think about how glorious it is. The Father sent His own Son to die for you. The Son paid a debt He did not owe for a price you could not pay. The Holy Spirit is now living in you every second of every day. When you internalize all of this, it should give you a divine excitement that will not burn out. When you live you life with this type of excitement, nothing can hold you back! Enter every day knowing that God is ON you, IN you, WITH you and FOR you! There’s nothing you can’t do, because there’s nothing He can’t do!
4. Under the New Covenant, we have a glory that does not fade. Paul tells us that Moses wore a veil over his face. This was not to cover the glory the glory of God, but to hide the fact that the glory had faded. Paul said, “He wore a veil so the children of Israel wouldn’t notice that the glory was fading away—and they didn’t notice. They didn’t notice it then and they don’t notice it now, don’t notice that there’s nothing left behind that veil.” There’s no power left in the Old Covenant. Unfortunately, many people have not realized that and they are still trying to please God by performance-based religion. Jesus established a new covenant by grace. Under the New Covenant we have a glory that never runs out. This glory never fades and it will never be done away with. Under the Old Covenant the Holy Spirit lived inside of the temple. Under the New Covenant, we are the temple of God and the Holy Spirit lives in us (1 Corinthians 6:19). You are walking around with GOD HIMSELF on the inside of you. You are walking around with the THE GLORY in you. Take God and His glory into every meeting, conversation and activity you engage in today.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, thank You for teaching me the Importance of the Cross. The more I study the Law You established through Moses, the more I understand why Jesus had to die. When Moses received the Old Covenant, Your Law written upon tablets of stone, he wore a veil over his face. Initially the veil was worn to cover the glory. But eventually the glory faded away and the veil was worn to keep people from realizing that the glory was gone. Jesus came, He fulfilled the Law, and He established a New Covenant. This New and everlasting Covenant was ratified with His own blood. I have been Born-Again. I am under the New Covenant. This Covenant will last forever. Under this Covenant I have access to Your glory and this glory will never fade. Under this Covenant I have access to Your power and this power will never run out. There is nothing I can’t do, because You live in me, and there’s nothing You can’t do! I enter this day determined to make Kingdom impact in every meeting, conversation and activity I engage in. I’ll do this by Your grace and for Your glory! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
