In our Final Study on the Biblical Covenants, we come to the concluding portion on the subtleties of the New Covenant of Grace…
e) Internal…
No external bodily sign here please (Leviticus 12:3) but it’s all about bearing the Sign of Cross on one’s heart (Gal 2:20, Gal 6:14-15).
f) Indwell…
Jews under the Sinai Covenant prided in constructing the Temple for God (nothing wrong about it), where His Holy Presence would dwell…now how’s this for some real humbling…a Christian’s body itself is a Temple for God in which God’s Holy Spirit lives (1 Cor 3:16)!!!
g) Intimate…
This Covenant leads one into such an intimate Father-Son relationship with the Lord (Romans 8:15-17) that “intimation” of the Father’s pleasure or displeasure over a Christian’s action can easily be discerned by the latter. God forbid that we grieve His Spirit (Eph 4:30), but we still do it sometimes is it not…even unconsciously? Whatever be the wrong step that grieves the Master’s spirit, a Christian once convicted of the same is well-advised to adopt “a stitch a time saves nine policy” lest a painful chastisement comes his way (Heb 12:5-13). Our Lord is very sweet and oh, so loving, but can be very severe with the perpetual offenders.
h) Invigorating…
When the Living waters (it needs to be experienced, that’s all – John 7:37) are flowing in one’s spirit, if it is not invigorating experience all the way, then what is it? Talk of having a 7-Star Hotel experience 24*7…mind you this invigorating experience begins the moment one receives Christ and starts walking spiritually in the reverential fear of the Lord (Acts 9:31) and not after some ethereal experiences like speaking in tongues edifying as they are in themselves.
In conclusion, permit me to pose a question…dear reader, are you already enjoying to the hilt the blessings of the New Covenant through Christ? If yes, utter a loud Hallelujah and be burdened to bring others living outside this blessed Covenant under the same, otherwise without delaying, go for it! Amen and Amen.
Prayer: Father, what a Blessed Covenant of Grace You have given to us through Your Son. Even as we awestruck by Your Sovereign Wisdom, enable us to keep our side of the this Covenant faithfully. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Suresh Manoharan
An unworthy servant
J and SM Ministries
(To access the entire “Of Covenant and the Pentacost” mini-series, please click here.)