He has
obtained a more excellent ministry,
inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better
covenant, which was established on better
promises. For if that first covenant
had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with
them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord,
"when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah." (Heb_8:6-8)
These verses contrast the old covenant of law ("that
first covenant") with the new covenant of grace ("a second").
The old covenant of law is good, but the new covenant of grace is far better.
The law is ordained of God, but it can never bring to people what God desires
for them to experience.
The law is good, but only if it used properly.
"We know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully,
knowing this: that the law is not
made for a righteous person, but for
the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly
and for sinners" (1Ti_1:8-9). The lawful use of God's law pertains
to the unrighteous, the rebellious. The
law is not designed to give people a righteous standing in God's sight
(justification). "Knowing that a man
is not justified by the works of the law
but by faith in Jesus Christ" (Gal_2:16).
Nor is the law intended for developing a godly walk (sanctification) in those
who are justified through faith in Christ. "For the law made nothing perfect" (Heb_7:19). The proper use of the law is to lead
people to the grace of God found in Jesus Christ. "The law was our tutor to bring us to Christ" (Gal_3:24).
Grace is far better than law. If the law was
without lack, then God would never have sent His Son to die for the
establishing of a new covenant. "For
if that first covenant had been
faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second." Since the law was lacking (regarding
justification and sanctification), God's plan included the new covenant of
grace. "Because finding fault with
them, He says: 'Behold, the days are coming,' says the Lord, 'when I will make
a new covenant'." The new
covenant of grace has Jesus, the giver of life, as the Mediator. "He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant." This new
covenant also has greater promises than the law: "a better covenant, which was
established on better promises."
In the days ahead, we will examine the better aspects of the grace of God.
Dear
Father, I agree with You that Your law is good. It tutored me to Your magnificent
grace. Lord, teach me the better aspects of Your grace, that I might fully
embrace all that You want to accomplish in and through my life, in Jesus name,
Amen.
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