Most Christians have a good understanding of the old and New Covenant, but some believe that under the New Covenant of grace they are now free of any responsibilites concerning God’s commands.

However, it must be understood that although we receive forgiveness through the blood of Jesus, our Christian liberty does not include the right to deliberately live a life of sin. Just the opposite, the Christian is to attempt to live a life that resembles Jesus.

The Apostle Paul was speaking to Christians in Colossians 3:5-7 when he said, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.”

“You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”

Since Jesus died for our sins, we are no longer required to keep the Old Testament laws as a way to go to Heaven, but in general, the things considered sins in the Old Testament, such as those in the Ten Commandments, are still sins.

In John 8:3-11, the Pharisees brought an adulteress woman to Jesus who, according to the Old Testament law, deserved to die. Although Jesus did not condemn the woman, he also did not say to her, “you have done no wrong.” He did not say “now that I am here what you have done is no longer a sin.” He said to her, “go and sin no more.”

The fact is the woman had committed a sin that deserved the death penalty, but Jesus, being God, had the authority to forgive her sins — and He did. A short time later, he gave His life not only for her sin, but for the sins of all who would believe in Him.

God’s people are no longer required to observe the laws, rules, or rituals of the Old Covenant as a way to enter Heaven, and it is impossible, by our own power, to live good enough to enter. We gain entry into Heaven only by our belief and faith in Jesus.

Law of the Spirit

•Romans 8:12: Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

•Ephesians 2:8-9: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.

•John 14:15: If you love Me, keep My commandments.

So, Christians, obey the commandments, not as a way to enter Heaven, but out of love, reverance, and respect for our Saviour, and because He told us to. Based upon that scripture, our striving to live moral and pure lives is an indication of our love, faith, and devotion to Him.

Since the Holy Spirit now lives within every bornagain believer, to guide, comfort and instruct, the Christian today should be able to live even more morally than the people in the Old Testament.

In John 17:20-21, Jesus had just finished praying for the disciples, and was now praying for those who would believe in Him because of their testimonies, said: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us.”

We enter into the New Covenant by believing in and accepting Jesus as our Saviour. God then accepts Jesus death as payment for our sins. He then sees us as He does Jesus — perfect, without sin or blemish.

The New Covenant is the only way to enter God’s presence. Upon Jesus’ death on the cross, the veil of the temple separating the “Most Holy Place,” representing the very presence of God, was torn from top to bottom, signifying the end of the separation of God and man.

The New Covenant makes it possible for our spirit, joined with His, to enter into the very presence of God, a place so beautiful and glorious that it is beyond man’s ability to even imagine, a scene so glorius no human words exist to do it justice.

When we die, we’ll be welcomed home to spend eternity with our Saviour.