August 1, 2021
What does it say?
God promised the house of Israel that He would provide restoration, forgiveness of their sins, and a New Covenant.
What does it mean?
The New Covenant God promised to make with Israel is not a standard of conduct, like the old covenant Moses received. It is an internalization of God’s law in the hearts and minds of His people. Under the New Covenant, the sins of the nation would no longer be simply covered by the sacrificial blood of bulls and goats; God will forgive their sin and “will remember their sins no more.” The superior nature of the New Covenant completely removes the condemnation and guilt of sin. The New Covenant will be fulfilled with Israel during the Millennium. The nation of Israel will be restored to God and will again be known throughout the world as God’s people. This covenant will allow an intimacy with God that they could never experience under the old covenant.
How should I respond?
The New Covenant was enacted by the death and resurrection of Jesus. Through faith in Christ, every believer participates in this covenant by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Rather than follow a list of rules, Christians follow the internal prompting of the Holy Spirit, Who discloses the righteous nature of God and convicts of sin. Under the New Covenant, our sin can never exhaust God’s mercy and forgiveness. God is faithful and will forgive our sin when we confess it to Him and turn from it. Once forgiven, He will never bring up the record of our failures again because our punishment was placed on Christ at the cross. God calls us to forgive others just as He has forgiven us. God poured out His mercy on us when we deserved it the least. Who do you find difficult to forgive? Will you share the forgiveness you’ve received in Christ with someone in your life who desperately needs it?