BEING GOD: The LOVE Aspect – Part 3 By Daniel J. Musokwa

Daniel J. Musokwa

Here’s the third installment in this series on Being God – the Love Aspect, the first and second installments can be found here and here respectively.

Let’s dig in:

So let us derive God mathematically, if we dare…

Mat 5:48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is PERFECT (Greek: Teleios = “Perfection”, “Perfect” or “Completeness”)

1Jn 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is LOVE.

The above two verses can be summarized as follows;

(1). Our Heavenly Father = Perfection

(2). Our Heavenly Father = Love

Therefore, it follows that…

(3). Love = Perfection = Our Heavenly Father/God

It is interesting to note that the Greek word translated perfect in Matthew 5:48 above is teleios, which more precisely means “completeness” or “complete.” It is exactly the same word Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 13:10 when he says “… but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.” Here he was talking about perfection being love, which is God Himself. In other words he was saying “… but when Love comes, the imperfect disappears” or “… but when the character of God comes, the imperfect disappears.” This means that whenever we are perfected in love as Christians, all the gifts (imperfect emanations of a perfect God) will be defined or punctuated by our love and not otherwise!

We are supposed to be identified and defined by our love and not by our gifts. The gifts are just parts of a whole God, and God is love. If God is perfection or completeness personified, then each of His gifts is an ‘imperfection’ or a part of a whole. When the world can identify us because of how we love one another and sinners, then we have become perfect just as He is perfect (Mat 5:48). But if the world identifies us by our giftings such as prophecy, tongues, healings, how we baptize people etc.; then indeed we are imperfect as individuals and as a body, and we are immature as sons.

Let us further examine verse 10. “… but when godliness through love comes, the imperfect disappears.” Oops! Does this mean that when we've learned to love, tongues and prophecies will be rendered useless because they are “imperfect?” Not at all, we will see what Paul meant, soon enough. Let us see the same verse from different translations before we take a nosedive into the Greek:

1 Co 13:10 but when the perfect thing comes, then that which is in part will be caused to cease. (Literal Translation of the Holy Bible)

1 Co 13:10 But when the perfect [or, complete] comes, then the [thing] by part [fig., which is partial] will become useless. (Analytical-Literal Translation)

1 Co 13:10 but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. (American Standard Version)

1 Co 13:10 But what is perfect will someday appear, and what isn't perfect will then disappear.(Contemporary English Version)

1 Co 13:10 but when what is perfect comes, then what is partial will disappear. (Good News Bible)

1 Co 13:10 But when the Complete arrives, our incompleteness will be cancelled. (The Message)

1 Co 13:10  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.(Webster)

I like how The Message translation capitalizes the word “Complete.” They have correctly translated “perfection,”teleios, as God. And now the Greek from Strong’s Concordance:

1Co 13:10  But¹¹⁶¹ when³⁷⁵² that which is perfect⁵⁰⁴⁶ is come,²⁰⁶⁴ then⁵¹¹⁹ that³⁵⁸⁸ which is in¹⁵³⁷part³³¹³ shall be done away.²⁶⁷³ (KJV +Strong’s)

Each of the green superscript numbers in the above verse corresponds to a Greek word in the Strong’s Concordance. The ones I am interested in are in bold letters, here they are:

G5046 - τέλειος

teleios

From G5056; complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with G3588) completeness: - of full age, man, perfect.

G1537 - ἐκ, ἐξ

ek ex

A primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence motion or action proceeds), from, out(of place, time or cause; literally or figuratively; direct or remote): - after, among, X are, at betwixt (-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for (-th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, . . . ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with (-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.

G3313 - μέρος

meros

From an obsolete but more primary form of μείρομαι meiromai (to get as a section orallotment); a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application): - behalf, coast, course, craft, particular (+ -ly), part (+ -ly), piece, portion, respect, side, some sort (-what).

Now, let us take a look at this verse again:

1Co 13:10  But¹¹⁶¹ when³⁷⁵² that which is perfect⁵⁰⁴⁶ is come,²⁰⁶⁴ then⁵¹¹⁹ that³⁵⁸⁸ which is in¹⁵³⁷part³³¹³ shall be done away.²⁶⁷³ (KJV +Strong’s)

Source: Google Images

Please note the three words highlighted in black in the above verse of Scripture do not have any Greek reference, this is because they were added by the translators to bring meaning to the statement in English. But the word “perfect” here is translated from the Greek teleios, which could either mean perfect or perfection or completeness. But what if we were to substitute the word ‘perfect’ with ‘perfection’? It would now read “but when perfection comes …” Now let us look at the second part of that verse: “then⁵¹¹⁹ that³⁵⁸⁸ which is in¹⁵³⁷ part³³¹³ shall be done away.²⁶⁷³”

G5119 = at that time

G3588 = that

G1537 = which comes FROM or OUT OF

G3313 = a division or share or part or installment

G2673 = shall be discarded, cease, fail, be abolished, be made void.

So let’s now put it all together, this is Daniel’s Beginner’s Translation…

1 Cor 13:10 But when perfection comes, at that time, that which comes from [out of] a part or an installment or an imperfection shall be discarded [cease, fail, be abolished, be made void]. (Daniel’s Beginner’s Translation) J

It seems to me that Paul was NOT saying that when we are perfected in love we would stop exhibiting or practicing the gifts (faith, prophecy etc.), BUT rather that when we are perfected in God’s love the imperfections in our gifts will be discarded. Why, because now the love of God perfects us for service as sons. There can be two people with the same gift of healing:

§ One might have the gift of healing without being perfected in love, the gift will work because “God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty--never cancelled, never rescinded – Rom 11:29” (The Message). This is why believers who are gifted in a certain area, if they fall, the gift will continue to be manifest in them. This is true! How? I don’t know, but God never takes the gift back. But this person who has no love of God in them will continue to have a working gift that is not perfected. It is works without the presence.

§ The other person might have the gift of healing, having himself been perfected in the love of God. In that person the gift isn't simply the gift, but it is divinity incarnated or carnality deified because being perfected in love is being indwelt by God Himself. How many of you think that Jesus Christ healed people because He had the "gift of healing"? Think about it friend.

In both cases the gift comes from God, the only difference is that one of these two people actually knows God and the other is just saved.

As we learn from the Word of God and consume it like spiritual bread (Jesus Christ), we will absorb its hidden nutrients and be transformed to conform to the very image of Jesus Christ who is Love personified. When we read the Word of God in order to learn and be transformed, it will change us into the character of God and we will become mature as sons. But if we read it as part of our Wednesday “devotion”, we will remain very religious, in fact, we would even be in danger of scheduling our Bible reading as a chore.

2 Tim 3:16-17  All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work.

Even our Lord Jesus Christ had to grow in wisdom, pleasing His Father. Even He was MADE perfect forever through suffering and discipline…

Heb 7:28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

By His offering, Jesus Christ, has made perfect forever those who are sanctified. Mind you, He did not perfect those who are justified (just saved) but those who have been sanctified (a process of spiritual growth through the agency of the Holy Ghost. It involves being transformed [metamorphosis] by the renewing of the mind). Most of us are justified alright, but whether we are sanctified is another matter altogether. I believe justification is a judicial EVENT, while sanctification is a spiritual PROCESS.

Heb 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified.

How are we perfected in the love of God? We are perfected by keeping His Word / commandment. What is His commandment? Love your God, love your neighbour and preach the Good News of the grace of God through Christ Jesus... period!

1 Jn 2:5 But whoever keeps His Word, truly in this one the love of God is perfected. By this we know that we are in Him.

1 Jn 4:12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and His love isperfected in us.

Source: Google Images

So this PERFECTION in us will take place through keeping His commandment of love and by our minds being severely transformed by the Holy Ghost such that “we have the mind of Christ!” When love has so permeated our whole being through and through, then things like fear, self-seeking, self-affirming and self-preservation will begin to be alien concepts to us and things like denominationalism will be utterly ridiculous and laughable to us. Only the Kingdom of Love and Light would matter to us. Do you have fear in you?

1 Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment. He who fears has not been perfected in love.   

Fear expresses the awareness of a godless soul. Fear is concerned with "self". Love is concerned with "God and sacrifice".

TO BE CONTINUED...

BEING GOD: The LOVE Aspect - Part 2 By Daniel J. Musokwa

Here's the second installment in this series of foundational teachings on LOVE by my dear brother Apostle Daniel J. Musokwa, Founder and General Overseer of New Testament Ministries - Tanzania. The First installment is here.

Daniel J. Musokwa

It is absolutely important for us to get things in their proper perspectives if we are to grow into the express image of the Son of God. So many times we place higher premiums on things like tongues, water baptisms and church activities than we do on the all-important issues like love. 

Notice, if you will, in 1 Cor 13:1 the Apostle Paul says that even if I spoke in angelic/heavenly tongues but I am without love, then my tongues are nothing but noise! I’m just like a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal! A picture of more utter and complete futility has never been painted! 

We have been guilty of teaching our people so much about tongues and there are many camps and denominations divided over the issue, but there are hardly any denominations divided along the lines of love or over the issue of love! Yet… YET, Paul tells us that your speaking in tongues is just NOISE to God if you lack in the area of love… please think about that deeply my friend.

And if you think this love is just a feeling of being amicable with everybody at all times then you couldn't be more wrong. I’ll say it again… Love is the key ingredient of Christianity without which there is absolutely no Christianity whatsoever! The church today is in dire need of learning how to love again! When I was teaching on this subject at Tehillah I over-stressed this point by saying “some of the church’s external evangelistic efforts need to be re-directed internally to teaching the already-saved the lost art of loving others, both sinners and the brethren alike, regardless of their denominational or doctrinal affiliation.” 

Self-righteousness and love are two bi-polar opposites; one is pagan while the other is Christlike. It is a crisis of extreme proportions, especially because we have completely forgotten that our God is a God of principles. We will look at some of these principles including the age-old question; “How do I know that I am saved? Does the Bible give a singular test of salvation?”  

Speaking in tongues without love, healing the sick without love, raising the dead without love, working miracles without love are all possible because the virtue in the name of Jesus Christ is independently powerful. Most gifts can still work even if the minister is without love; therefore these gifts are never an indication of the Lord’s pleasure with the one who possesses them! Doing these things without love is the same as a very Tanzanian young man trying to act American by emulating the language (intonation and pronunciation), dressing and various American mannerisms. He can get everything right, but if war broke out in Tanzania, he wouldn't be able to convince the US Government to take him back “home” with its own citizens. He’d remain in Tanzania to face the music with his American accent and all! Most of us have a Holy Ghost accent, but that is all we have. Our citizenship is that of this fallen world because we have failed to learn the requirement for citizenship in heaven; LOVE!

1. Are you saved at all?
2. Can you Love?

Those two questions are one and the same because the latter answers the former! This is so biblical it’s not even funny. We will see this soon enough. 

Now, let us look at the pre-eminence of love…

The Pre-eminence of Love

1 Co 13:8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

1 Co 13:9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,

1 Co 13:10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

1 Co 13:11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

1 Co 13:12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

1 Co 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (NIV)

Source: Google Images

The prevailing subject in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 is LOVE. Then interestingly in verse 8 the Apostle Paul tells us that“love never fails or never ceases,” then he says “BUT…,” and every time you see this little word ‘but’ you know that whatever follows it would contradict, correct or re-direct the preceding statement. He says, and I paraphrase,“love never fails; BUT prophecies will cease, tongues will be stilled and knowledge will pass away.” He is establishing love as an eternal and pre-eminent character trait of godliness above the gifts of prophecy, tongues and knowledge. 

Most of the times we are hung up on the gifts and we forget that having the gifts without the character of the giver makes us beggars instead of kings. We proudly display our gifts thinking that they are a sign of our godliness and acceptance by God, but we forget that the gifts simply declare that the GIVER is true and not the possessor! So why did Paul have to say that ‘love never fails but prophecy, tongues and knowledge do fail?’

Check out verses 9 through 10, Paul says “For we know (knowledge) in part and we prophesy (gift of prophecy) in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.” I don’t know how many times I’d read this verse and was just happy that it says what it says even though I had no clue what it really was saying! As Christians we sometimes have this uncanny knack for memorizing certain Scriptures and getting really happy when they are read out loud by the preacher, but we have absolutely no clue what is being read. We are blind as a bat, but hey, we are happy anyway. But God is calling us deeper into seeking His wisdom in understanding His Word. We each need to spend a lot of time STUDYING and digging into the Word of God, and praying for wisdom in unlocking the treasure therein. Otherwise shouting and yelling in our meetings whenever certain Scripture is quoted will be like a ‘sounding brass and clanging cymbal’, the sound of an empty container.

Now, you must remember the prevailing topic here is LOVE. In essence Paul was saying that the gifts (knowledge, tongues, prophecy etc.) come in part, they are just partial emanations of something more perfect. BUT love is perfect; “…but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.” Now how do we know what is meant by the word “perfection” in verse 10 above?

Let's find out in the next installment...

TO BE CONTINUED...

BEING GOD: The Love Aspect Revisited

Daniel J. Musokwa 

I've just started sharing a series of very foundational teachings on LOVE by a very dear brother and good friend of mine, Daniel J. Musokwa, the Founder and General Overseer of New Testament Ministries Tanzania. 

I believe this teaching is a timely one for the Body of Christ; it is both an instructive and a corrective word that the Holy Spirit is bringing to the church in this hour. We will do well to take it to heart and apply it in our lives.

With this as background,  I'd like to pause today and reflect on what LOVE really is. 

Love is the very essence of God. 

God doesn't just have love but he IS love.

We, His children, share His nature...think about that, meditate on that for while.

Today, I'd like to propose we take the time to go back and read or re-read, whichever the case may be, the first installment in this series, aptly titled: BEING GOD: The Love Aspect Click HERE  

BEING GOD: The LOVE Aspect - Part 1 - By Daniel J. Musokwa

Introduction to Love

In Christendom today, it is almost ‘fashionable’ for one to seem to know the mysteries and revelations of the deeper things of God and the cosmos in general. People flock to all kinds of conferences with such titles as:

Source: Google Images

-          The different types of angels

-          Angelic visitations

-          The Seven secrets to answered prayers

-          How to fast and ascend

-          Your miracle guaranteed

-          Activating your spiritual gifting

-          Impartation service

-          The realm of the angels and the divine

-          Understanding dreams and visions

-          Tapping into the heavenlies

-          Prosperity

-          Etc.,

Now, all of those things are not bad in and of themselves; in fact, a balanced study and assimilation of them is vitally important to every believer. However, the majority of Christendom today is deeply addicted to these “higher” spiritual truths thinking that the more we ‘know’ about them the godlier we will become. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Knowledge of these things alone without the basic knowledge of Christ would almost invariably lead to pride, self-righteousness, deception and finally our own destruction. In Christendom today we are much addicted to secrets, mysteries and formulae. We want instant results to godliness without labour and discipline. This results in all kinds of “feel-good” theologies and over-extended definitions of the grace of God.

Here we are going to look at some of the basics of Christianity, Christlikeness and godliness. In every field of discipline there are some foundations that must be properly laid before any structure could be erected securely. Any architect or structural engineer would be a fool to allow a 50-storey building to be built on a 2-storey foundation; that building will most certainly crumble into a pile of dust and mangled steel. This is the same with Christianity; you cannot build Christianity on the so-called “higher revelations” and knowledge of secrets of God while the Word of God does not abundantly dwell in you. The most fundamental and basic foundation of Christianity is LOVE. Love is the key ingredient of Christianity without which there is absolutely no Christianity! This point cannot be overstated!!

Miracles, signs, wonders and gifts are ABSOLUTELY NOTHING without LOVE! We can fall backwards or forwards during ministry, soak on the floor, laugh, cry, raise the dead and do all kinds of what we consider to be “good works” – even care for the widows and orphans; but if we do not have love we are NOTHING!

Everything that you think you know in your Christian walk is absolutely NOTHING if you are not walking in love. You haven’t even begun your Christian walk yet if love is not active in you. That is a harsh statement, and I am sure that I have understated it as we will see a bit later. How do we define the word “love?” The guys at www.dictionary.com define love as:      

Love - noun/lʌv/ Pronunciation Key

1.	A profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.
2.	A feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend.
3.	Sexual passion or desire.
4.	A person toward whom love is felt; beloved person; sweetheart.
5.	(Used in direct address as a term of endearment, affection, or the like): Would you like to see a movie, love?
6.	A love affair; an intensely amorous incident; amour.
7.	Sexual intercourse; copulation.
8.	(Initial capital letter) a personification of sexual affection, as Eros or Cupid.
9.	Affectionate concern for the well-being of others: the love of one's neighbour.
10.			Strong predilection, enthusiasm, or liking for anything: her love of books.
11.			The object or thing so liked: The theatre was her great love.
12.		The benevolent affection of God for His creatures, or the reverent affection due from them to God.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)

Source: Google Images

As you can see the world has many definitions of the word “love,” and some have even suggested that one can “make love.” But do people “make” love, or do they just “express” it? Is love a feeling or a person? What of lust and love? I believe the minds of the people today are very confused about the word ‘love,’ and this is a clever attempt by Satan to mar or soil a proper understanding of this word in order to confuse our comprehension of Christianity, and ultimately, of God.  

The ancient Greeks had four different words that we translate ‘love’ today. It is important to understand the difference between the words so as to properly assign their meaning in the New Testament context:

1. "Eros": The word eros describes erotic love. It refers to sexual love.
2. "Storge": Storge refers to family love, as in parent – child love, or between family members in general.
3. "Philia": Philia describes brotherly friendship and affection. It is the love of deep friendship and partnership. It is the highest love that man is capable of without God.  
4. "Agape": It is a love that loves without changing. It is a self-giving love that gives without demanding or expecting re-payment or reciprocation. It is love so great that it can be given to the unlovable and the unappealing. It is love that loves even when it is rejected. Agape love gives and loves because it wants to; it does not demand or expect repayment for the love given. It gives because it loves, it does not love in order to receive.

1. The English word agony comes from agape. However, agape can not be defined as "God's love," because men are said to agape sin and the world (John 3:19, 1 John 2:15). But it can be defined as a sacrificial, giving, and absorbing love. The word has little to do with emotion; it has much to do with self-denial for the sake of another. Even the world has sold itself wholesale to sin, it agapes sin.
2. It is interesting to note that the Greek word "Agape" is a word that was coined exclusively for the New Testament; it was never found in classical Greek and they knew nothing of this Agape.

In these series of articles we will be talking about love in the context of agape; and also more broadly in the contexts of philia and storge increasingly. Let us start our ascent with the famous biblical chapter of 1 Corinthians 13.

1 Co 13:1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

1 Co 13:2 And if I have prophecies, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I AM NOTHING.

1 Co 13:3  And if I give out all my goods, and if I deliver my body that I be burned, but I do not have love, I am not profited anything.

1 Co 13:4-6 Love has patience, is kind; love is not envious; love is not vain, is not puffed up; does not behave indecently, does not pursue its own things, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth.

1 Co 13:7-8 Love QUIETLY covers all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But if there are prophecies, they will be caused to cease; if tongues, they shall cease; if knowledge, it will be caused to cease.

1 Co 13:9-10  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect thing comes, then that which is in part will be caused to cease.

1 Co 13:11 When I was an infant, I spoke as an infant, I thought as an infant, I reasoned as an infant. But when I became a man, I caused to cease the things of the infant.

1 Co 13:12 For now we see through a mirror in dimness, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will fully know even as I also was fully known.

1 Co 13:13 And now faith, hope, and love, these three things remain; but the greatest of these is LOVE. – (Literal Translation of the Holy Bible)

If the entire Bible were to be erased today save for 1 Corinthians 13; the Bible would be complete and not lacking in anything because the Law and prophecy hang on love! 

Please read that again.

Source: Google Images

In essence Paul tells the church that:

-          Tongues without love are NOISE (sounding brass and clanging cymbal) – v1

-          If you have the gifts of prophecies, knowing all mysteries, all knowledge and faith to move mountains but have NO love, YOU ARE NOTHING! – v2

-          Love covers all things (sins) [also James 5:20 and 1 Peter 4:8] – v7

-          Love supersedes and is pre-eminent to prophecies, tongues and knowledge – v8

-          The eternal value of love is greater than that of the time-limited faith and hope. Faith and hope will end with the world; but love will continue on. – v13

TO BE CONTINUED...

Contact email - kainos.diatheke@gmail.com

OLD ISN'T ALWAYS GOLD!

If God is the same from eternity to eternity, if God doesn't change, pray tell, why did He do away with the Old Testament by establishing a New one? And what exactly is it that makes the New Testament new?

Source: Google Images

Here’s what I know, no human being could keep the OT Law perfectly, consequently no one could ever be righteous before God or enjoy all the benefits of that Covenant; however, that wasn't the OT Law’s fault in any way, shape or form. The OT Law of Moses was holy and perfect, but human beings were not and even to this day, aren't.

The Law only serves to show you how far you've fallen from God’s standard of righteousness but it cannot lift you up to that perfect standard. The OT Laws were unbending and inflexible and rightly so, you either kept them all or you were guilty of them all (James 2:10). Keeping some or even most of it is futile, it is all or nothing but the problem was no one could keep them all perfectly. Why? Because inherently we were sinful, we just couldn't, however hard we tried.

But God who loves us so much had a plan, and that plan was to “fix” our inherent sinful condition which is the real culprit, and to do that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus. Jesus came into this world, born of a virgin, born without that inherent sinful nature that we all have. He lived a perfect sinless life despite being tempted in all areas just as we are, and yes, they were real temptations to Jesus the perfect man, they weren't “make believe” temptations. Though Jesus is 100% God he was also a real human being 100% while here on earth, the Word of God says:

⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; ⁷ rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! - Philippians 2:6-8 NIV
        

The very fact that Satan tried to tempt Jesus should tell us that He was an actual real human being, if Jesus was operating as God on this earth then Satan wouldn't waste his time trying to get Him to sin, Satan is not exactly smart but he’s not that dumb either. And He wouldn't have needed to wait to be baptized in and be empowered by the Holy Spirit to  begin His ministry, He would've just started immediately after birth…well as usual, I digress…

The main reason Jesus died on the cross was so that we could be reconciled to God, we were estranged from Him after Adam and Eve disobeyed in the garden, plunging the entire human race into sin which resulted in spiritual death. Jesus took care of the sin problem that had plagued the human race, He dealt with it once and for all, it is forever done. He took the sins of the whole world, not just the sins of the Christians, everyone needs to hear, know, believe this and believe in Him to be saved.

²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! – John 1:29 NIV

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By His death on the cross, Jesus established the New Covenant or the New Testament in that now when we believe in Him and confess Him as our Lord we are born-again, our spirits are recreated by His Spirit, we become children of God, new creations with a new nature, God’s nature in us. Remember what He told His disciples at the last supper?

²⁸ This wine is my blood, which will be poured out to forgive the sins of many and begin the new agreement from God to his people. – Matthew 26:28 ERV

So there you have it right from Jesus’ own lips, the New Covenant, the New Testament, the New Agreement from God to His people and it was sealed by His very own blood, it is eternal.

Normally, covenants or testaments as they were known in the olden days or contracts and/or agreements (I wish there was a stronger word I could employ here) fairly modern terms, involved two parties in agreement, they had terms and conditions as well as a seal that ratified the covenant making it both binding and effective.

In the OT, the Covenant was between God and man, with the Law of Moses being the  terms and conditions and the seal was a blood sacrifice that was offered and sprinkled on the people, later the blood would also be sprinkled on the Mercy Seat on top of the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies. For the whole story on the establishment of the OT  read Exodus 19 -24 . The trouble is, man couldn't keep their end of the deal, so that Covenant wasn't benefiting man, it rather kept us in bondage through the Law, constantly reminding us of our need of a Savior.

⁷ If there was nothing wrong with the first agreement, then there would be no need for a second agreement. ⁸ But God found something wrong with the people. He said, “The time is coming, says the Lord,
when I will give a new agreement to the people of Israel and to the people of Judah. – Hebrews 8:7-8 ERV

In the NT, God in His infinite wisdom and love, makes a Covenant with Himself, now that’s a sure Covenant that cannot fail or ever be annulled  and we are the beneficiaries the moment we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. In this New Covenant we don’t observe a set of do’s and don’ts to become righteous, no we are made righteous by simply believing – that’s why the Gospel is Good News, it actually is Too-Good-To-Be-True-News and guess what... it is true. Here’s what this New Covenant looks like:

¹⁰ This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel  after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God,  and they will be my people. ¹¹ No longer will they teach their neighbor,  or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. ¹² For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”  ¹³ By calling this covenant new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear. – Hebrews 8:10-13 NIV

A cursory look at what OT and the NT entail reveal a world of difference between the two Covenants, the NT being vastly superior to the OT in every way, of course.

In the OT your sins are held against you, in the NT God forgives your wickedness and doesn't remember your sins. In the OT if you obey God, then you secure your place as His, in the NT He makes you His, then you obey Him willingly and fearlessly. In the OT you approach God timidly and fearfully hoping you've crossed all your t’s and dotted all your i’s or else...in the NT He invites you to come to Him boldly that you may obtain mercy and find grace to help you. In the OT your righteousness depends on your performance, in the NT your righteousness is an irrevocable gift from God on account of Jesus’ performance, His perfect sacrifice of Himself to put away our sin once and for all. (2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 10:14)

May our understanding of this glorious New Covenant cause our hearts to overflow with the love of God and compel us to share this Good News with others so they too can be reconciled to God through Christ and experience freedom from sin and the bondage it brings.