Have you been perplexed about the Old versus the New Covenant? Which is which? Have you thought that because pastors and theologians (high and low) are in disarray over it, maybe you needn't worry your head over it, just flip on the TV? Is the issue important enough to get concerned and study?
Even the great and wonderful Apostle Peter was confused over it. The Christians were having a conference at Antioch (Acts 15); before the bigwig brethren from church headquarters arrived, Peter was happily demonstrating New Covenant love to the Gentile Christians. He had torn down the spiritual barriers between them, and ate with them. But when the important bwanas from Jerusalem arrived, he backtracked, and "built again what he had destroyed" (Gal. 2:11-18).
Paul was stirred by the Holy Spirit to confront him face to face before the whole group. And of all places, it was in the cafeteria. Peter had now picked up his tray and sidled away from the Gentiles' table. Now he was supporting the elders' Galatian position that yes, you have some work to do yourself in this "covenant" business. You can't let the Lord Jesus be your Savior 100 percent; you have your percentage to contribute. God's covenant may be a promise but it's also a "deal," a "bargain" negotiated between you two--God and yourself; you must make a "deal" with Him; you must have "balance" between righteousness by faith and righteousness by good works.
Paul let Peter have it: "I do not frustrate the grace of God," he said. "If righteousness come by the law [even one percent?], then Christ is dead in vain" (see Gal. 2:11-21).
Do we have the problem today? Can we represent Christ as safely standing on deck throwing a life preserver out to the drowning sinner? If he grabs the rope, he is taking the initiative in his own salvation, and Paul says that "frustrates the grace of God"! No, the Bible represents Jesus as out there in the water with the sinking sinner, a Life Guard actually saving him 100 percent. And if the drowning sinner doesn't beat Him off, Jesus will get him safely on deck. Salvation is totally of grace, "not of works [even one percent!] lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8, 9).
And don't be afraid of too much "more abounding grace." It's real. There is no true obedience to the law except "by grace through faith" (see Rom. 13:10; Gal. 5:6).
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
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