I recently had a conversation with some college buddies discussing why the old testament heroes seemed more flawed than those in the new testament.
After some thought, I concluded that most old testament heroes were devastated by sin, in the long run. - David lost his family and kingdom - Moses never entered the promised land - Noah struggled with alcohol...and the list goes on. Even men "after God's own heart" at times, seemed helpless against the ravages of sin in their lives.
While the heroes of the New testament seem to start off as thieves, hypocrites and murders, but in the long run became solid men of God willing to stand against sin, and die for their faith.
Unlike the old testament, the new testament uses words like victory and freedom in reference to sin. The disparity we had been discussing was the very reason there had to be a new arrangement.
The reason for a new covenant was the need of the Cross, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. "...the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26
Holiness is not achieved, but received. It is a gift, and we are also given a "Helper" to allow us to walk in it. That is the gospel in a nutshell.
If you attempt to walk without the Spirit then you too will fail in the long run. "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:24-25)
Take the gift, seek the Spirit...and live in victory over sin.
“Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,... I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." Jeremiah 31
It is without a doubt the most expensive gift you will ever receive.
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