Let me clarify what I said in my last blog.  There is nothing wrong with following the words of scripture that encourage us to walk in a way that is consistent with who we are in Christ.  When you do that, you are truly being the authentic new creation.  But this is not accomplished through trying to become a better Christian. Remember, the old person we were in Adam died WITH Christ, was buried WITH Christ and was raised WITH Christ. (Romans 6) Understanding these truths changes everything regarding your walk with God.

It is no longer about self-evaluation.  It is about understanding my union with Jesus and allowing Him to show me who I am.  I love the verse that says the Holy Spirit will convict us of our righteousness. (John 16:8)  Now that’s a different teaching than what most have heard!

“If you do this…..I’ll do this” is a simple summary of the Old Covenant. And there was purpose in the Old Covenant.  Jesus says, “Listen, I didn’t just clean you up and then instruct you to make sure you stay clean.  I crucified you and made you a brand- new person.”  Now you have a new heart and a new “want to.”  But if you don’t know this truth, you can still fall into the old ways of Old Covenant living.  And God’s Word says, ” By calling this covenant “new” He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.” Hebrews 8:13

I think Romans 7:1-6 really helps me understand these truths.  Paul is giving an illustration using marriage to represent how we were released from the law as a believer.  (Hebrews 10:1 says, “The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming, not the realities themselves.”)  Paul describes a woman who is in a miserable marriage and wants out.  She dreams of a man who truly loves her and is always available to help her with anything she needs.   If she enters another relationship while married, the bible calls this adultery.  In her mind, the only way out is if her husband dies, however, he just got a clean bill of health from his annual physical! (“The law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives.”  Romans 7:1)  What a dilemma she is in!

Let’s say this first husband is MR. LAW.  There is no mercy with MR. LAW.  You do everything perfectly or else.  She still begins praying “Lord, I need some relief!  Would you please take him home to an early grave?”  Here’s where the music changes in this script.  Do you hear it? Dunn, Dunn, Dunn

Romans 7:4, “So my brothers and sisters (to get you out of this dilemma) YOU also died to the law, through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might BEAR FRUIT FOR GOD. The bible is clear that the law doesn’t die but look who dies! (The law still has the same purpose; to bring people to faith in Christ through showing them their need for a Savior.)  For when we were IN the realm of the flesh (unsaved), the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death.  But now by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the newness of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.”

Simply stated, if we are living with a law mentality, we will either have pride because we performed, or we will have shame because we failed.  Colossians 3:3, “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”  So, get rid of those ugly ways!  REMEMBER who you are! It makes no sense to act inconsistent with who you really are. (YOU DIED TO SIN Romans 6) 

The following words are from my friend, Pastor Jeremy White, from Vacaville, California.  I felt he summarized the truth regarding what it means to live under the New Covenant.

Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commands.” John 14:15

Many hear that and assume Jesus is putting believers under the law of Moses.  But listen carefully to what the apostle John says about the commands of Christ:

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.  And His commandments are not burdensome.” I John 5:3

Why are they “not burdensome”?

Because the commands of Christ are not a return to 613 crushing demands of the Old Covenant law system.  John goes on to tell us plainly what these commands are: 

“And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us.” I John 3:23

The central command of the New Covenant is faith in Christ flowing outward in love.  Not law-keeping to earn or prove our righteousness.  Not performance to merit or maintain God’s favor.  Not religious checklists or tablets of stone.  

Paul says we now “serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” Romans 7:6. And: “The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6

Under the new covenant, Jesus gives righteousness to us … and His Spirit lives within us.  So yes…even though we falter, those who know Him desire to walk in love, forgiveness, generosity, obedience etc.   But these are now the FRUIT of our abiding in Christ…not the ROOT of acceptance from Him.  The Christian life is not Moses 2.0, helping you behave better. 

It is all of Him living through all of you.