“For this cause He is the Mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance” — Hebrews 9:15.
THE Old Covenant is that of law. It asked of man what he in his unregenerated condition could not give: a perfect obedience to and love for a holy, sin-hating God. The New Covenant is that of grace. It proclaims God’s remedy for man’s wretched condition and offers life, not as a result of what man may do for God, but because of what God in Christ has done for man. The law said in effect: “Do and live.” Grace says: “Live and do.” Under the New Testament God offers forgiveness to all who trust in Christ on the basis of the blood of the covenant, that blood which was shed on Calvary. His work avails not only for believers since the cross, but for those of past ages as well. To each believer is given a new nature. The law is written upon the heart, As a result it becomes a joy and delight to the renewed soul to walk in obedience to God, and so “the righteousness of the law” is “fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:4).
“Our great High-Priest is sitting
At God’s right hand above,
For us His hands uplifting.
in sympathy and love:
Whilst here below, in weakness,
We onward speed our way;
In sorrow oft and sickness,
We sigh and groan and pray.
Through manifold temptation,
My soul holds on her course,
Christ’s mighty intercession
Alone is her resource;
My gracious High-Priest’s pleadings,
Who on the cross did bleed.
Bring down God’s grace and blessing;
Help in each hour of need.”
—A. P. Cecil.