NOT like the Old ?

Some concepts are MUCH harder to write about because they are not like concepts we now know. One Greek word talks of "new" as an updated version of the old - sort of like a "new" car when we know it is simply the latest year version ! Another word for "new" would refer to a concept of transportation really new - like flying compared to driving or even "beam me up Scotty" as a whole different concept of getting from one place to another. So - when God said, "I will make a New covenant" some of the meaning comes from a definition of the word and part comes from "context" . . .making it very short, note the explanation phrase - "not like the one they broke" . . .that opens it up to a new concept of covenant. AND - if you check the full context, it is very easy to see it was to be a different covenant totally . . ."law on their minds" "My people and I be their God" - some concepts aimed at in the atmosphere of the Old Covenant, but note the phrase - "I WILL MAKE" - a little key phrase for a "forced covenant" idea. More later.

Conclusions - the context seems to teach a new kind of Covenant, not like the Old. One idea which is different is - "which they broke" - indicating possibly a covenant which cannot be broken. HOW could that happen ?

If Jesus is covenant, and Isaiah seems to suggest that to be the case, then it would be "totally different" from the one they broke. PLUS - if HE is covenant, then it cannot be broken - only received or rejected. Jesus becomes the great GIFT (which is what the Greek word for "grace" actually means) to be received - a wonderful New Testament concept talked about especially in Romans 3-6; Colossians 1-2; Galatians 3. (Plus those "saved by the Faith OF Christ" verses.)

Those who wish to make it simply another concept covenant like the Old, but a little better, can't really fulfill the prophecy fully. Hebrews 8 helps in this regard - God Himself guarantees results for those of faith - see Hebrews 9:15ff. as well. (Hebrews 7:22 helps too.) The focus of faith is Jesus.

BUT - wait a minute, if Jesus is covenant, how could we ever be lost ? Well - it wouldn't happen by accident would it ? But, as far as I know - gifts can be rejected and even thrown away. I don't wish to get into a Calvinistic/Arminius debate . . .both sides seem to ignore the other. I'm simply trying to be true to Biblical plain teaching and not explain away the other person's texts.

It is easy to see, if we don't accept what Jesus did - we cannot get what He paid for - so let's leave it there for now.

If Jesus is "kept covenant" - He fulfilled the Law perfectly, so His performance would be a 100% on the report card. So - if I have faith in Him, then by faith God transfers 100% to my report card. That's the message of Romans 4 . . .like Abram, we trust God's promise (in this case Jesus Himself) and bang ! Righteousness is imputed to us . . .just like to Abram. Part of this is explained in Romans 5 - especially the part of this happening while we were still enemies.

The Promise Covenant is much more like God's dealings with Abram - no wonder his name keeps showing up - in Romans 4 and Galatians 3 especially.

Well - let's chew on that for a while . . .