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NASB | Hebrews 9:1 Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 9:1 Now even the first covenant had regulations for divine worship and for the earthly sanctuary. [Ex 25:10-40] |
Bible Question:
The discussion on our "obligations" to God under the New Testament got me to start thinking legally because obligations is a legal term and a covenant is a legal contract. So, in precise terms: Exactly what is God's New Contract (covenant) with us? What are our obligations? What are God's. In legal terms, is God's offer a free gift? |
Bible Answer: A basic tenement of contract law is that both parties must perform according to the contract. If one party does not, the other party is not obligated to perform their part of the agreement. God is the contractor; man is the contractee. His contract to those who believe is straightforward. If they obey His commandments (the terms of the new contract) He will reward them with eternal spiritual life in heaven. His requirements include worshiping God in assembly, in your personal life and obeying the Law of Grace. If man does not fulfill his duties of the contract, God will not give the reward. Additionally, man must ask God for help in understanding the requirements of the contract, otherwise there is no way for man to fulfill them. Without proper understanding, man can not benefit from the contract and heaven is not an option. Is legalism wrong? Was Jesus a legalist? We know He was and, that God is, very specific in what He expects from us as sons. Yes, salvation is a free gift in that there was nothing we could do to cause God to send His son as the blood sacrifice for our PAST sins, but we must not mock God by teaching there are no deeds necessary to maintain that salvation. The ability to contact the blood of Christ is free; the ability to continue in contact with that blood is not. |