The Sign of the New Covenant

For both the old and new covenant, God ordained a specific and permanent sign (token) to attest to who is included in the covenant. Under the old covenant, the sign was the circumcised flesh of each male.

And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee ... This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you ... He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. (Genesis 17:7, 10-11, 13)

The problem with that sign was that it did not ensure a two-way agreement. God agreed to be God unto those with the sign; however, those with the sign did not necessarily agree, in their hearts, to be God's people. For instance, male babies eight days old were circumcised into the covenant (even under the New Covenant there are "Christians" that practice, erroneously, baptizing babies). "Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked" (Deuteronomy 10:16). Evidence that the sign was only an outward show, is highlighted by the ratio of men that made it into the Promised Land of those that left Egypt: only two of the six hundred thousand men of age (twenty and older) that left Egypt made it into the Promised Land. "Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest)" (Hebrews 3:7-11). Under the new covenant, the sign of the covenant involves a more explicit agreement between God and us. The sign is no longer a permanent sign of the flesh but a permanent sign of the spirit. After all, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). The sign is the circumcised heart of the believer which is the Word of God written in their minds (inward parts) and hearts, not in outward tables of stone: "And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables" (Exodus 32:16).

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

Notice the key benefit of the New Covenant is the ability to have access to God directly without the need of another person (prophets) as a go-between. We have access through the shed blood of Jesus to our own private teacher, the Holy Ghost—the anointing, who "shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26). "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him" (1 John 2:27). We are reminded of the sign of the New Covenant over and over again throughout scripture (Deuteronomy 30:6; Psalm 119:11; Isaiah 51:7; Jeremiah 4:4; Romans 15:8). The Word of God has to become the only standard by which "we live, and move, and have our being" (Acts 17:28). "But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God" (Romans 2:29). "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead" (Colossians 2:10-12). So then, in order to work out our own salvation (Philippians 2:12)—to be recognized as a son or daughter of God—the Word of God must be written in our minds and most importantly in our hearts. How is this done? Scripture gives us the answer (Deuteronomy 8:3; Jeremiah 15:16; Mark 4:14; Mark 4:26-29; Hebrews 5:12-13; 1 Peter 2:2; Psalm 19:7). "Through wisdom [the Word of God] is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches" (Proverbs 24:3-4).

Step One: Read

Till I [Jesus] come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (1 Timothy 4:13)

Step Two: Study (Meditate)

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:8)

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Reading and studying the Word of God are for more than just attaining knowledge, but rather, that we may know God: know his will, know how to walk in the Spirit, know how to please God and know how to become skillful in righteousness. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3). Continual reading and studying of the Word of God puts the Word into my mind and starts the process of getting the Word of God written in my mind. We recommend that the entire King James Version of the Bible (see "The Authorized Version") be read at least once per year (at least three chapters a day). The ultimate target for the Word of God, however, is the heart: comprised of the conscience, intuition, and place of fellowship with the Holy Ghost. Let us examine a few more steps in the process.

Step Three: Belief (Faith)

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. (Mark 11:22)

And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. (Acts 15:9)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen ... But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:1, 6)

The process to move the Word from the mind to the heart starts with faith: unwavering belief in God and his Word (Romans 10:17; John 1:12; Titus 1:15; Hebrews 3:10, 18; Hebrews 4:11-12). Faith puts (transmits), but does not write, the studied Word into the heart. Hence, the warning from the writer of Hebrews: "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God" (Hebrews 3:12).

Step Four: Obedience

I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. (Psalm 119:100)

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. (Matthew 7:24-25)

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? ... But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith (Romans 16:16, 26)

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone ... Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only ... For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:17, 24, 26)

While belief (faith) puts the Word into the heart, it is obedience that starts the writing process (Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 4:39-40; Deuteronomy 5:29, 33; Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Job 28:28; Psalm 119:9; Matthew 12:50; John 7:17; James 1:22-24; 1 Peter 1:22). "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever" (Psalm 111:10). Obedience to God's Word, however, runs counter to our carnal nature; therefore, like Jesus, it is necessary to suffer to learn obedience. "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). It is in suffering that we learn patience: "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise" (Hebrews 10:36). In addition, in suffering we gain more intimate knowledge of God; that is, we increase our experience of him delivering us out of our troubles as we obey: "Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction" (Isaiah 48:10). Moreover, in suffering we increase our hope in the Lord: "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope" (Romans 8:24). Thus our suffering builds patience, experience and hope (see "Understanding Discipleship" for more on suffering and the life of a disciple), and it is through our hope in the Lord that we can rejoice with joy unspeakable "that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming" (1 John 2:28).

Step Five: Understanding

But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. (Job 32:8)

For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6)

Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. (2 Timothy 2:7)

And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. (1 Kings 4:29)

Finally, it takes understanding, given by the Lord, to complete the writing process both in heart and in the mind (1 Kings 3:7-9; Proverbs 4:7; Luke 24:45; 1 Corinthians 14:20; Colossians 1:9; Philippians 4:13; John 14:6). "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5). With understanding we can now say without uncertainty: "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer" (Psalm 19:14). The cycle is completed; the Word entered the mind, got written in the heart—circumcision—and illuminates the Word in the mind: "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple" (Psalm 119:130). Notice, God saved us by grace to enable us to enter in to his promise of eternal life: to give us an opportunity to "learn of [him]" (Matthew 11:29) by hiding his Word in our hearts. We see an example of this in the Old Testament: it was after the crossing of the Jordan—the entering of the promise—did the children of Israel receive circumcision:

At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt. Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised. For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey. And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way. And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole. And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day. (Joshua 5:2-9)

What's more, the Spirit of God comes where the Word of God is written. "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own" (1 Corinthians 6:19)? "Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart" (2 Corinthians 3:3). Hence, God communes with us where his Word is written—in our hearts: Jesus Christ is come in the flesh (1 John 4:1-3; Exodus 25:21-22; Exodus 31:18)! "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (John 14:21-23). Therefore, we can do all things through the shed blood of Jesus Christ—the Spirit—and his testimony—the Word, which strengthens us. "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death" (Revelation 12:10-11). "Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do" (Deuteronomy 29:9).

And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. And they sware unto the LORD with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets. And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about. (2 Chronicles 15:12-15)

Do you have the sign of the New Covenant? Do you "labour, that, whether present or absent, [you] may be accepted of him" (2 Corinthians 5:9)? Or, is "God ... ashamed to be called [your] God" (Hebrews 11:16)? "As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:30-32).

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