Monday | 19 April 2021
It is important to recognise that if a believer strives to fulfil the commands of the New Covenant, their righteousness is no different from that of the Pharisees, who sought to keep the Law under the Old Covenant. How, then, can a person possibly be blameless in relation to the New Covenant?
The blessing of life that belongs to the New Creation is found only in the fellowship of Christ’s offering. Access to this blessing begins with the ministry of the word by those in whom Christ is being revealed. Gal 1:15-16. A person receives the faith of the Son of God by hearing the word of the cross. Rom 10:17. By this faith, they are able to believe for participation in the offering and sufferings of Christ as a son of God. 2Co 4:13-14. The Holy Spirit, who is given to them by the Father at the request of the Son, enables their daily participation in this fellowship.
Of course, this is how we walk in the faith that Abraham had before he was circumcised. We recall that, by the faith of the Son that he received when the word of the Lord was revealed to him, Abraham participated in the fellowship of Christ’s offering. Notably, in the course of this offering, Abraham fell into a deep sleep, and horror and great darkness fell upon him. Gen 15:12. He experienced the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings, through which the old creation was brought to an end. Yet, in the midst of this darkness, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between the pieces of the offering. Gen 15:17. The smoking oven marked Abraham’s connection to Christ’s death and resurrection. The burning torch was the light of the prophetic word confirming God’s Covenant with Abraham. 2Pe 1:19.
Further Study:
2 PETER 1
Daily Proverb:
References:
Gal 1:15-16
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood.
Rom 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2Co 4:13-14
And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.
Gen 15:12
Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him.
Gen 15:17
And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces.
2Pe 1:19
And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.