Our legalistic mixing of the Old and New Covenants has confused a lot of people. A lot of Christians believe that God’s judgment is going to fall on them as a result of this. They do not understand the doctrine of grace.
We have seen in previous posts that the wrath often seen in Old Testament accounts does not reflect God’s true nature. This is why He dealt with mankind for almost two thousand years from a position of mercy.
Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
Galatians 3:19
The Law was meant to be temporary. It was never intended to last beyond Jesus’ coming.
We do not throw out the Old Covenant but we should not be trying to live under it. Let me give you an example from Psalms 51:
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Psalm 51:11
Songs have been written from this verse. I’ve heard them sung in churches but it does not apply to us.
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5
David wrote this after his sin with Batsheba. He was afraid that God would withdraw Himself from him.
Today we have a promise that God will never leave us. Jesus told His disciple that He would be with them unto “the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).
David did not have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and He did not have Jesus’ promise to be with him. It was appropriate for him to cry out to God not to leave Him but it is not appropriate for us to do so.
I believe that singing the words of Psalm 51:11 is equal to a believer declaring Jesus lied when He told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would be with them always.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.
John 14:16
There are people who will get upset at the thought that they cannot sing certain songs. I understand that but think about the words of Psalm 51 in the light of Jesus’ words in John 14.
- He (the Holy Spirit) will abide with you forever
- Take not away your Spirit from me
Can you see the issue? Jesus said the Holy Spirit would be with us forever and we are crying out to Him not to take this same Holy Spirit from us. It is so important for us to examine the songs we are singing in light of the New Covenant.
Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Mark 7:13
It is tradition that motivates people to cry out to God for His Holy Spirit. The Word tells us though that the Holy Spirit dwells in our spirit.
Religious traditions have rendered a large part of the Church powerless today. There is a vast difference between Old Testament Law and New Testament grace. It is religious tradition that has diluted this difference and drug us back under the requirements of the Law.
It requires discernment to recognize tradition. Unfortunately most Christians are unable to discern the difference.
Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Romans 3:19
The Law was never meant for Christians. It should never have been given to the Gentiles. It was a Covenant for the Jews meant to bring them into line with God.
There are lessons to be learned from the Old Testament. I acknowledge this but must still emphasize that we are not called to live under the Law.
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