¤[music ends]¤¤ 00:00:16.98\00:00:18.98 >>John Bradshaw: This is "It Is Written." 00:00:19.91\00:00:22.12 I'm John Bradshaw. Thanks for joining me. 00:00:22.15\00:00:24.95 When Adam and Eve chose to sin in the Garden of Eden, 00:00:24.99\00:00:27.66 circumstances were set in motion that would guarantee 00:00:27.69\00:00:30.96 the death of Jesus and the downward spiral of Planet Earth. 00:00:30.99\00:00:36.23 Eating the forbidden fruit opened the door to evil 00:00:36.26\00:00:39.23 and all its attendant misery. 00:00:39.27\00:00:41.60 Not long after declaring that the world was "very good," 00:00:41.64\00:00:44.84 God evicted the human family from the home He had prepared 00:00:44.87\00:00:48.28 especially for them. 00:00:48.31\00:00:49.78 ¤[reflective music]¤ 00:00:49.81\00:00:50.78 So, what would God do with sinners? 00:00:50.81\00:00:53.28 He could leave humanity to its fate, to die an eternal death, 00:00:53.31\00:00:58.29 or He could step into the midst of the chaos 00:00:58.32\00:01:01.42 Adam and Eve had caused and save humanity. 00:01:01.46\00:01:04.86 In order to do so, God would give His Son Jesus to bear 00:01:04.89\00:01:08.43 the sins of the world, giving the inhabitants of Planet Earth 00:01:08.46\00:01:11.30 the opportunity to receive the everlasting life 00:01:11.33\00:01:14.30 which they had willingly forfeited. 00:01:14.34\00:01:17.64 So, what would God choose? 00:01:17.67\00:01:20.14 The Bible records the answer 00:01:20.18\00:01:21.44 in some of history's best-known words: 00:01:21.48\00:01:23.98 "For God so loved the world, 00:01:24.01\00:01:25.91 "that He gave His only begotten Son, 00:01:25.95\00:01:28.68 "that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, 00:01:28.72\00:01:31.29 but have everlasting life." 00:01:31.32\00:01:33.79 God would choose to save His rebellious children, 00:01:33.82\00:01:36.69 and in choosing to do so, 00:01:36.73\00:01:38.73 He made a promise to people of all time. 00:01:38.76\00:01:42.90 Shortly after Adam and Eve sinned, God said to Satan, 00:01:42.93\00:01:46.63 "I will put enmity between you and the woman, 00:01:46.67\00:01:49.64 "and between your seed and her Seed; 00:01:49.67\00:01:52.27 "He shall bruise your head, 00:01:52.31\00:01:54.61 and you shall bruise His heel." 00:01:54.64\00:01:56.88 This was an assurance: You did that, but I will do this. 00:01:56.91\00:02:03.18 This was God introducing something 00:02:03.22\00:02:04.79 called "the everlasting covenant." 00:02:04.82\00:02:07.96 Two important things: 00:02:07.99\00:02:09.36 One, it was a covenant, 00:02:09.39\00:02:11.36 and two, it was everlasting. 00:02:11.39\00:02:14.66 But what if later generations should reject the God of heaven 00:02:14.73\00:02:19.23 and choose instead to worship idols? 00:02:19.27\00:02:22.94 What if God's people became so completely given over to sin 00:02:22.97\00:02:26.71 that their enemies would triumph over them 00:02:26.74\00:02:29.78 and they would serve heathen nations? 00:02:29.81\00:02:33.31 God's assurance would stand. 00:02:33.35\00:02:36.25 Even though His people had sinned and separated themselves 00:02:36.28\00:02:39.35 from Him, God would do all He could to reestablish 00:02:39.39\00:02:43.56 the saving relationship between Himself and His people 00:02:43.59\00:02:47.23 by means of a covenant. 00:02:47.30\00:02:50.60 ¤[bright music]¤ 00:02:50.63\00:02:51.80 A covenant is an agreement in which parties bind themselves 00:02:51.83\00:02:55.24 and each other to the fulfillment 00:02:55.27\00:02:57.41 of certain conditions. 00:02:57.44\00:02:58.91 But unlike human covenants, 00:02:58.94\00:03:00.91 in which human selfishness invariably gets in the way, 00:03:00.94\00:03:04.88 God commits Himself to this covenant no matter what. 00:03:04.91\00:03:09.22 God's covenant is an ironclad pledge 00:03:09.25\00:03:11.79 in which He promises to give Himself for the world. 00:03:11.82\00:03:14.82 It's a guarantee that He will never abandon His people 00:03:14.86\00:03:18.33 and that He will continue to offer everlasting life. 00:03:18.36\00:03:22.56 The covenant established by God 00:03:22.60\00:03:24.17 signifies a committed relationship 00:03:24.20\00:03:26.63 between God and His children. 00:03:26.67\00:03:29.17 It was an arrangement for saving the human family 00:03:29.20\00:03:32.84 and bringing it back into harmony with heaven. 00:03:32.87\00:03:36.34 God Himself initiated the covenant relationship. 00:03:36.38\00:03:39.61 He took the initiative to appeal to the human family 00:03:39.65\00:03:42.95 to come into union with Him. 00:03:42.98\00:03:45.29 When Adam and Eve were hiding from God, 00:03:45.32\00:03:47.86 God was pursuing them to call them back. 00:03:47.89\00:03:52.29 After that first covenant was made in the Garden of Eden, 00:03:52.33\00:03:55.93 the covenant was renewed. 00:03:55.96\00:03:58.20 It was renewed with Noah. 00:03:58.23\00:03:59.70 God had destroyed the earth, and, 00:03:59.73\00:04:02.64 given the destruction He brought upon the world, 00:04:02.67\00:04:05.01 it was vital that God reassured Noah 00:04:05.04\00:04:08.21 that He hadn't abandoned His covenant 00:04:08.24\00:04:09.84 with the people of the earth. 00:04:09.88\00:04:11.85 "Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, 00:04:11.88\00:04:14.32 "saying: 'And as for me, behold, I establish my covenant 00:04:14.35\00:04:18.29 "'with you and with your descendants after you, 00:04:18.32\00:04:20.66 "'and with every living creature that is with you.... 00:04:20.69\00:04:23.06 "'Thus I establish my covenant with you: 00:04:23.09\00:04:25.76 "'Never again shall all flesh be cut off 00:04:25.79\00:04:28.10 "'by the waters of the flood; 00:04:28.13\00:04:29.76 "never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.' 00:04:29.80\00:04:32.90 "And God said: 'This is the sign of the covenant which I make 00:04:32.93\00:04:36.94 "'between me and you, and every living creature 00:04:36.97\00:04:39.91 "'that is with you, for perpetual generations: 00:04:39.94\00:04:43.21 "'I set my rainbow in the cloud, 00:04:43.24\00:04:46.21 "'and it shall be for the sign of the covenant 00:04:46.25\00:04:48.75 between me and the earth.'" 00:04:48.78\00:04:50.69 That's Genesis, chapter 9, verses 8 through 13. 00:04:50.72\00:04:53.69 After devastating the planet, God reassured Noah: 00:04:53.72\00:04:58.63 I made a covenant with your forebears, 00:04:58.66\00:05:00.80 and I'm letting you know that in spite of what's just occurred, 00:05:00.83\00:05:03.97 I intend to honor my covenant with you and your descendants. 00:05:04.00\00:05:09.14 The covenant was renewed again with Abraham, 00:05:09.17\00:05:11.57 who was Abram at the time. 00:05:11.61\00:05:13.91 God spoke with the patriarch and said, 00:05:13.94\00:05:15.78 "I will make you a great nation; 00:05:15.81\00:05:18.48 "I will bless you and make your name great; 00:05:18.51\00:05:21.75 "and you shall be a blessing.... 00:05:21.78\00:05:24.15 And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." 00:05:24.19\00:05:29.06 That promise pointed to the advent of Jesus as the Messiah. 00:05:29.09\00:05:34.30 Now, after this, the next thing Genesis says about Abram 00:05:34.36\00:05:37.17 is that while in Egypt he claimed Sarai was his sister 00:05:37.20\00:05:41.47 and not his wife, fearing that if the truth was known, 00:05:41.50\00:05:44.94 his life would be in jeopardy. 00:05:44.97\00:05:47.18 That cowardly act was a complete lack of faith in God. 00:05:47.21\00:05:53.52 Yet, in spite of his disgraceful behavior, 00:05:53.55\00:05:56.65 God did not cast off Abram. 00:05:56.69\00:05:59.45 Two chapters later, 00:05:59.49\00:06:00.79 He renewed His covenant with His faulty friend. 00:06:00.82\00:06:04.36 Speaking to Abram, God said, "I am the Lord, 00:06:04.39\00:06:07.30 "who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, 00:06:07.36\00:06:10.50 to give you this land to inherit it." 00:06:10.53\00:06:13.17 Some time had passed since the covenant was last mentioned, 00:06:13.20\00:06:15.97 and Abram was no doubt wondering 00:06:16.00\00:06:17.84 when he would become the great nation God had spoken of. 00:06:17.87\00:06:21.38 He inquired of God, saying, 00:06:21.41\00:06:22.81 "Lord God, how shall I know that I will inherit it?" 00:06:22.84\00:06:27.72 God then entered into a solemn covenant with Abram, saying, 00:06:27.75\00:06:33.15 "Bring me a three-year-old heifer, 00:06:33.19\00:06:35.66 "a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, 00:06:35.69\00:06:39.16 a turtledove, and a young pigeon." 00:06:39.19\00:06:42.50 The animals were killed and placed in order on the ground. 00:06:42.53\00:06:47.54 God spoke to Abram and said, 00:06:47.57\00:06:49.17 "'Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers 00:06:49.20\00:06:51.84 "'in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, 00:06:51.87\00:06:55.04 "'and they will afflict them four hundred years.' ... 00:06:55.08\00:06:57.95 "On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: 00:06:57.98\00:07:00.95 "'To your descendants I have given this land, 00:07:00.98\00:07:04.09 "'from the river of Egypt to the great river, 00:07:04.12\00:07:06.79 the River Euphrates.'" 00:07:06.82\00:07:09.32 God spoke to Abram in the strongest possible language. 00:07:09.36\00:07:13.50 Abram was to know certainly that after a period of servitude, 00:07:13.53\00:07:17.93 his descendants would come out with great possessions. 00:07:17.97\00:07:21.77 God's presence then passed between the dead animals 00:07:21.80\00:07:26.24 confirming that He had indeed given the Promised Land 00:07:26.27\00:07:29.64 to Abram and his offspring. 00:07:29.68\00:07:31.41 In this covenant arrangement both parties were saying, 00:07:31.45\00:07:35.45 essentially, "If I do not hold up my end of this covenant, 00:07:35.48\00:07:40.62 may I become as one of these dead animals." 00:07:40.66\00:07:44.83 This was a sign of God's absolute commitment 00:07:44.86\00:07:48.00 to the salvation of the human family. 00:07:48.03\00:07:51.07 He was stating His total dedication 00:07:51.10\00:07:53.74 to what He had initially promised in the Garden of Eden. 00:07:53.77\00:07:56.87 There was a way back to the heart of God for sinful people. 00:07:56.91\00:08:01.24 He wouldn't ever withdraw His promise 00:08:01.28\00:08:04.15 of an unbroken relationship with humanity. 00:08:04.18\00:08:08.28 So why then was there an old covenant and a new covenant? 00:08:08.32\00:08:13.39 We'll find that out in just a moment. 00:08:13.42\00:08:15.66 ¤[upbeat music swells and ends]¤¤ 00:08:15.69\00:08:21.66 >>male announcer: When Adam and Eve sinned, 00:08:25.47\00:08:26.94 a way was established for them to return to the heart of God 00:08:26.97\00:08:30.27 and to occupy the position they had lost 00:08:30.31\00:08:32.41 by their fall from grace. 00:08:32.44\00:08:34.24 God established what the Bible calls 00:08:34.28\00:08:36.08 "the everlasting covenant." 00:08:36.11\00:08:38.41 But what does this mean to Christians today? 00:08:38.45\00:08:40.75 What's the difference between the old covenant 00:08:40.78\00:08:42.92 and the new one? And how can you be sure 00:08:42.95\00:08:45.09 you're living under the right one? 00:08:45.12\00:08:47.16 Don't miss "Living Under the New Covenant," 00:08:47.19\00:08:49.59 a look into God's plan to restore sinners 00:08:49.62\00:08:52.33 and a journey in the love and mercy of heaven. 00:08:52.36\00:08:55.23 Get your free copy of "Living Under the New Covenant" 00:08:55.26\00:08:57.87 right now. 00:08:57.90\00:08:59.00 Call 800-253-3000. 00:08:59.03\00:09:01.84 That's 800-253-3000. 00:09:01.87\00:09:04.94 Or text "freelive" to 71392. 00:09:04.97\00:09:08.44 Text "freelive" to 71392. 00:09:08.48\00:09:11.78 You can write to the address on your screen 00:09:11.81\00:09:13.42 or visit iiwoffer.com. 00:09:13.45\00:09:16.72 Understand the covenants and experience the love of God. 00:09:16.75\00:09:20.06 "Living Under the New Covenant," 00:09:20.09\00:09:21.82 call 800-253-3000. 00:09:21.86\00:09:24.36 >>John Bradshaw: Thanks for joining me on "It Is Written." 00:09:25.99\00:09:28.23 God established a covenant with the human family 00:09:28.26\00:09:31.17 when Adam and Eve fell into sin in the Garden of Eden. 00:09:31.20\00:09:34.27 With the passage of time, the covenant was reiterated. 00:09:34.30\00:09:37.87 When the covenant was reestablished in Genesis 17, 00:09:37.91\00:09:41.11 Abram's name was changed to Abraham. 00:09:41.14\00:09:44.01 Sarai's name was changed to Sarah. 00:09:44.05\00:09:46.85 Circumcision was given as the sign of the covenant, 00:09:46.88\00:09:50.15 distinguishing the followers of God 00:09:50.19\00:09:51.85 from those who were not under the covenant, 00:09:51.89\00:09:54.52 foreshadowing the practice of baptism, 00:09:54.56\00:09:56.76 and it was a sign of righteousness by faith. 00:09:56.79\00:10:00.76 Hundreds of years later when Israel had escaped 00:10:00.80\00:10:04.13 Egyptian slavery and was encamped at Mount Sinai, 00:10:04.17\00:10:07.54 God proposed another covenant: 00:10:07.57\00:10:10.44 "Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep 00:10:10.47\00:10:14.28 "my covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to me 00:10:14.31\00:10:18.38 "above all people; for all the earth is mine. 00:10:18.41\00:10:22.35 And you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." 00:10:22.38\00:10:26.82 This was the old covenant. 00:10:26.86\00:10:28.99 The covenant made with Adam and reiterated with Abraham 00:10:29.02\00:10:32.26 was the covenant of grace, the everlasting covenant. 00:10:32.29\00:10:36.13 This parenthetical covenant was the old covenant. 00:10:36.16\00:10:39.83 By the time they'd come out of Egypt, the people had lost sight 00:10:39.87\00:10:43.51 of the principles of the covenant made with Abraham. 00:10:43.54\00:10:46.51 Delivering Israel from Egypt and the armies of Egypt 00:10:46.54\00:10:49.08 when all hope seemed lost was intended to fill them 00:10:49.11\00:10:51.98 with love for God and confidence in His power. 00:10:52.01\00:10:55.05 At the same time, God wanted them 00:10:55.08\00:10:57.02 to see their own brokenness, their inability to obey Him, 00:10:57.05\00:11:01.09 and their need of a Savior. 00:11:01.12\00:11:03.59 Bringing them to Sinai, God gave His law 00:11:03.63\00:11:06.96 and promised them great blessings if they would obey. 00:11:07.00\00:11:10.67 The terms of the old covenant were "obey and live." 00:11:10.70\00:11:14.20 "If a man does, he shall live by them." 00:11:14.24\00:11:16.64 Leviticus 18, verse 5. 00:11:16.67\00:11:18.04 "But cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words 00:11:18.07\00:11:22.28 of this law by [obeying] them." 00:11:22.31\00:11:24.25 Deuteronomy 27:26. 00:11:24.28\00:11:27.05 But when God established the covenant at Sinai, 00:11:27.08\00:11:29.45 the children of Israel made an empty promise: 00:11:29.48\00:11:33.89 "All the words which the Lord has said we will do." 00:11:33.92\00:11:38.43 They were sincere as could be, 00:11:38.46\00:11:41.03 yet it was only a few short weeks 00:11:41.06\00:11:43.33 after they made that solemn promise 00:11:43.37\00:11:46.43 that they were dancing naked before a golden calf. 00:11:46.47\00:11:50.27 The covenant made between God and His people at Sinai 00:11:50.31\00:11:53.31 was dead on arrival because of the absolute inability 00:11:53.34\00:11:57.48 of the people to remain committed to God. 00:11:57.51\00:12:00.65 [indistinct chatter, drums and horns playing] 00:12:00.68\00:12:01.98 The new covenant was established upon better promises, 00:12:02.02\00:12:06.49 the promise of forgiveness of sins and of the grace of God 00:12:06.52\00:12:10.43 to renew the heart and bring it into harmony 00:12:10.46\00:12:13.29 with the principles of God's law. 00:12:13.33\00:12:15.73 "'But this is the covenant that I will make 00:12:15.76\00:12:17.93 "with the house of Israel after those days,' says the Lord: 00:12:17.97\00:12:21.40 "'I will put my law in their minds, 00:12:21.44\00:12:23.17 "and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, 00:12:23.20\00:12:26.71 "'and they shall be my people.... 00:12:26.74\00:12:29.04 "'I will forgive their iniquity, 00:12:29.08\00:12:31.11 and their sin I will remember no more.'" 00:12:31.15\00:12:35.18 That same law that was engraved upon the tables of stone 00:12:35.22\00:12:39.19 is written by the Holy Spirit upon the tables of the heart. 00:12:39.22\00:12:43.16 Instead of going about to establish our own righteousness, 00:12:43.19\00:12:46.63 we accept the righteousness of Christ. 00:12:46.66\00:12:49.03 His blood atones for our sins. 00:12:49.06\00:12:52.23 And His obedience is accepted for us. 00:12:52.27\00:12:56.07 Then, through the grace of God, we live in obedience 00:12:56.10\00:12:59.87 to the law of God written upon our hearts. 00:12:59.91\00:13:03.01 When the Spirit of God is at work in your life, 00:13:03.04\00:13:05.88 you walk as Jesus walked. 00:13:05.91\00:13:08.28 You can see how absolutely transformative this is. 00:13:08.32\00:13:12.25 The covenants made by God 00:13:12.29\00:13:13.46 were arrangements by which sinful human beings 00:13:13.49\00:13:16.09 might be brought back into harmony with God. 00:13:16.12\00:13:18.83 The new covenant could be called "the renewed covenant." 00:13:18.86\00:13:22.33 God announced it when Judah was to be taken 00:13:22.36\00:13:24.60 into Babylonian captivity. 00:13:24.63\00:13:26.33 When all hope seemed lost, the Sovereign of the universe 00:13:26.37\00:13:29.67 assured His people He not only still cared for them, 00:13:29.70\00:13:33.58 but that, in spite of their failing, 00:13:33.61\00:13:35.81 He still had eternal plans for them. 00:13:35.84\00:13:38.71 The new covenant is expressed in the New Testament 00:13:39.71\00:13:42.82 in both Hebrews 8 and Hebrews 10, 00:13:42.85\00:13:45.59 where the covenant promise made in Jeremiah 31 is repeated. 00:13:45.62\00:13:50.13 The old and new covenants 00:13:50.16\00:13:51.93 are not radically different covenants. 00:13:51.96\00:13:54.73 And this can be a revelation for people schooled to believe 00:13:54.73\00:13:56.87 that God dealt or related to or even saved people differently 00:13:56.90\00:14:01.00 under the two covenants. 00:14:01.04\00:14:02.77 He didn't, and He doesn't. 00:14:02.80\00:14:05.21 Under the old covenant, God pledged to be God 00:14:05.24\00:14:08.14 while the people pledged to be His children 00:14:08.18\00:14:10.25 and live in obedience. 00:14:10.28\00:14:11.98 In this new covenant, the same is true: 00:14:12.01\00:14:15.65 God is God, we are His people, 00:14:15.68\00:14:18.22 and we purpose to obey Him and keep His commandments 00:14:18.25\00:14:21.89 as an expression of love and loyalty. 00:14:21.92\00:14:25.53 So what was different between one covenant and the other? 00:14:25.56\00:14:28.76 While the old covenant was ratified-- 00:14:28.80\00:14:30.30 that means went into effect, 00:14:30.33\00:14:31.53 based on the offering of animal sacrifices-- 00:14:31.57\00:14:34.54 the new covenant was ratified when Jesus died on the cross. 00:14:34.57\00:14:38.27 And whereas the old covenant was mediated by earthly priests 00:14:38.31\00:14:42.98 "who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things," 00:14:43.01\00:14:47.18 the new covenant has "a great High Priest who has passed 00:14:47.22\00:14:51.42 through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God." 00:14:51.45\00:14:55.19 In both covenants there was to be a relationship 00:14:55.22\00:14:58.33 between God and His people. 00:14:58.36\00:14:59.93 And whereas the old covenant was made with the nation of Israel, 00:14:59.96\00:15:03.16 the new covenant was made with God's people everywhere. 00:15:03.20\00:15:08.20 Is it true that the old covenant is the Old Testament, 00:15:09.54\00:15:11.97 while the new covenant is the New Testament? 00:15:12.01\00:15:15.31 No, the old covenant is a covenant. 00:15:15.34\00:15:19.05 The Old Testament is a collection of 39 books. 00:15:19.08\00:15:22.08 It's not the old covenant. 00:15:22.12\00:15:24.22 In the same way, the new covenant 00:15:24.25\00:15:25.62 is not the New Testament. 00:15:25.65\00:15:27.89 Keep in mind that the first time you read about the new covenant, 00:15:27.92\00:15:30.69 you do so in the Old Testament book of Jeremiah. 00:15:30.73\00:15:35.43 Go back further and you'll see the new covenant experience 00:15:35.46\00:15:38.13 described in Deuteronomy, chapter 30. 00:15:38.17\00:15:41.80 The new covenant is actually very old. 00:15:41.84\00:15:47.08 Now, this might surprise you. 00:15:47.11\00:15:48.94 A person living today can live under the old covenant. 00:15:48.98\00:15:54.68 You could be living under the old covenant. 00:15:54.72\00:15:57.89 We'll find out how we can avoid doing that 00:15:57.92\00:15:59.72 and live under the new covenant in just a moment. 00:15:59.75\00:16:03.26 ¤[upbeat music swells and ends]¤¤ 00:16:03.29\00:16:09.26 >>John: Thank you for remembering that It Is Written 00:16:12.50\00:16:14.54 exists because of the kindness of people just like you. 00:16:14.57\00:16:18.34 To support this international life-changing ministry, 00:16:18.37\00:16:20.88 please call us now at 800-253-3000. 00:16:20.91\00:16:25.28 You can send your tax-deductible gift 00:16:25.31\00:16:26.95 to the address on your screen, 00:16:26.98\00:16:28.42 or you can visit us online at itiswritten.com. 00:16:28.45\00:16:32.49 Thank you for your prayers and your financial support. 00:16:32.52\00:16:34.69 Our number again is 800-253-3000, 00:16:34.72\00:16:38.43 or you can visit us online at itiswritten.com. 00:16:38.46\00:16:42.10 >>John: It's so important that if you don't do it, 00:16:43.13\00:16:46.23 there's no way you'll have eternal life. 00:16:46.27\00:16:49.37 It's something that confronts everyone frequently, 00:16:49.40\00:16:52.37 and without it, life simply wouldn't run well. 00:16:52.41\00:16:56.44 So how do you practice forgiveness, 00:16:56.48\00:16:58.71 even when you're wronged, mistreated, and hurt? 00:16:58.75\00:17:02.15 Don't miss "Forgiveness: Preparation for Eternity" 00:17:02.18\00:17:05.99 and discover that the forgiveness God grants you, 00:17:06.02\00:17:09.19 you can extend to others. 00:17:09.22\00:17:11.56 Hear inspiring stories of forgiveness 00:17:11.59\00:17:14.30 and understand how you can forgive 00:17:14.36\00:17:16.23 under the most challenging circumstances. 00:17:16.26\00:17:19.33 How do you forgive a spouse? 00:17:19.37\00:17:20.97 A former spouse? 00:17:21.00\00:17:22.24 Or something that happened years ago 00:17:22.27\00:17:24.14 that you've never been able to forget? 00:17:24.17\00:17:26.74 What about forgiving yourself, 00:17:26.78\00:17:28.81 and how can you be sure to experience God's forgiveness, 00:17:28.84\00:17:32.25 even when you're convinced you've gone too far? 00:17:32.28\00:17:35.55 "Forgiveness: Preparation for Eternity," 00:17:35.58\00:17:38.52 brought to you by It Is Written TV. 00:17:38.55\00:17:41.56 >>John Bradshaw: What about the idea that the old covenant 00:17:44.06\00:17:45.73 is based on God's law, 00:17:45.76\00:17:47.40 while the new covenant is founded upon grace? 00:17:47.46\00:17:50.20 The Bible tells us that both Noah and Moses found grace 00:17:50.23\00:17:53.37 in the sight of God way back then. 00:17:53.40\00:17:55.84 The truth is every person who has ever been saved 00:17:55.87\00:17:59.54 has been saved by grace through faith-- 00:17:59.57\00:18:03.04 today, through faith in the Messiah who has come; 00:18:03.08\00:18:05.88 back then, through faith in the Messiah who was to come. 00:18:05.91\00:18:09.42 It is true that God's people were under a solemn obligation 00:18:09.45\00:18:12.12 to observe the Ten Commandments under the old covenant. 00:18:12.15\00:18:15.32 While in the new covenant, God says, 00:18:15.36\00:18:17.86 "I will put my laws in their mind 00:18:17.89\00:18:20.90 and write them on their hearts." 00:18:20.93\00:18:23.00 God still wants His people to live lives of obedience. 00:18:23.03\00:18:27.70 Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." 00:18:27.74\00:18:32.44 God's saved people in earth's final days are "those who keep 00:18:32.47\00:18:36.78 the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." 00:18:36.81\00:18:40.85 But that does not mean God's people are saved 00:18:40.88\00:18:42.75 by keeping God's law. 00:18:42.78\00:18:44.25 The Bible remains clear that all are saved 00:18:44.29\00:18:46.76 by grace through faith. 00:18:46.79\00:18:50.23 The laws of types and shadows were made obsolete 00:18:50.26\00:18:54.10 when Jesus died on the cross, and "the veil of the temple 00:18:54.10\00:18:57.53 was torn in two from top to bottom." 00:18:57.57\00:19:00.64 That meant no more animal sacrifices, no more feast days, 00:19:00.67\00:19:05.04 no more earthly sanctuary. 00:19:05.07\00:19:07.78 However, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," 00:19:07.81\00:19:11.85 "thou shalt not kill," 00:19:11.88\00:19:13.45 "thou shalt not commit adultery," and so on 00:19:13.48\00:19:16.58 were still very much in force. 00:19:16.62\00:19:19.29 When Paul stated that the commandments of God 00:19:19.32\00:19:21.26 are "holy and just and good" in Romans, chapter 7, 00:19:21.29\00:19:25.33 he said that he was referring to the law that said, 00:19:25.36\00:19:27.86 "Thou shalt not covet"-- the Ten Commandments. 00:19:27.86\00:19:30.77 When Paul wrote that we are justified by faith 00:19:30.80\00:19:33.37 and not the law, he asked the question, 00:19:33.40\00:19:36.27 "Do we then make void the law [of God] through faith?" 00:19:36.30\00:19:38.97 He answered by saying, 00:19:39.01\00:19:40.48 "God forbid:... we establish the law." 00:19:40.51\00:19:44.48 We're not saved by obedience, but under the new covenant, 00:19:44.51\00:19:49.18 saved people obey God because they love God. 00:19:49.22\00:19:55.39 There can be confusion because some people will put 00:19:55.42\00:19:57.43 the ceremonial laws together with the Ten Commandments 00:19:57.46\00:20:00.26 so that when the Bible speaks about 00:20:00.30\00:20:01.56 nailing the law to the cross, for example, 00:20:01.60\00:20:04.17 someone thinks that Paul is referring 00:20:04.20\00:20:05.53 to the Ten Commandments. 00:20:05.57\00:20:07.14 But the distinction between the two systems is broad, 00:20:07.17\00:20:09.97 and it's clear. 00:20:10.01\00:20:11.87 The system containing symbols pointing to Jesus 00:20:11.91\00:20:15.11 was to be observed until the death of Jesus on the cross. 00:20:15.14\00:20:19.35 Jesus nailed this law to the cross. 00:20:19.38\00:20:22.35 But the Ten Commandments are never to pass away. 00:20:22.38\00:20:26.65 Jesus Himself said, 00:20:26.69\00:20:28.29 "Do not think that I came to destroy the law.... 00:20:28.32\00:20:31.13 "Till heaven and earth pass away, 00:20:31.16\00:20:33.40 "one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law 00:20:33.43\00:20:38.40 till all is fulfilled." 00:20:38.43\00:20:40.64 It cannot be true that the old covenant was wrath 00:20:40.67\00:20:43.37 while the new covenant is love. 00:20:43.41\00:20:45.34 Both covenants speak of the wrath of God, 00:20:45.37\00:20:47.68 and both speak of the love of God. 00:20:47.71\00:20:50.71 Attempts to create a dichotomy between the God of one covenant 00:20:50.75\00:20:53.78 and the God of another are unnecessary and unfortunate. 00:20:53.82\00:20:58.69 The covenants made by God with His people 00:20:58.72\00:21:01.06 demonstrate His absolute commitment to saving anyone 00:21:01.09\00:21:04.96 who comes to Him in faith. 00:21:04.99\00:21:06.86 No matter how unfaithful the people were, 00:21:06.90\00:21:08.56 God still proclaimed His willingness to be 00:21:08.60\00:21:11.47 in a covenant relationship with all who would repent, obey, 00:21:11.50\00:21:15.40 and claim His promises. 00:21:15.44\00:21:17.77 As Paul wrote to Titus, 00:21:17.81\00:21:19.04 "The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all." 00:21:19.07\00:21:25.15 In the new covenant, God says He "will put my law 00:21:25.18\00:21:28.82 in their minds, and write it on their hearts." 00:21:28.85\00:21:32.42 God expressed the same thing through the prophet Ezekiel 00:21:32.45\00:21:35.06 when He said, "A new heart also will I give you, 00:21:35.09\00:21:38.26 "and a new spirit will I put within you: 00:21:38.29\00:21:41.03 "and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, 00:21:41.06\00:21:44.97 "and I will give you an heart of flesh. 00:21:45.00\00:21:47.80 "And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk 00:21:47.84\00:21:50.34 in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." 00:21:50.37\00:21:55.34 That's the new covenant experience, 00:21:55.38\00:21:57.75 the experience that will carry you through the troubled waters 00:21:57.78\00:22:00.75 of earth's last days--or the troubled waters of life today. 00:22:00.78\00:22:05.22 People are worried today, 00:22:05.25\00:22:06.22 worried about, about global warming, 00:22:06.25\00:22:08.22 about global pandemics. 00:22:08.26\00:22:10.23 They're concerned about the economy 00:22:10.26\00:22:11.63 and rising prices and crime. 00:22:11.66\00:22:13.80 They're concerned for the future of their children. 00:22:13.83\00:22:17.13 What you want to do is lean completely upon God, 00:22:17.17\00:22:20.87 the God who said He will save you. 00:22:20.90\00:22:23.97 Even when humanity wandered away from God, 00:22:24.01\00:22:26.64 He pursued our original grandparents 00:22:26.68\00:22:29.81 and brought the gift of salvation. 00:22:29.84\00:22:33.48 Today, God offers you that same gift, and you receive it, 00:22:33.52\00:22:39.25 not because you deserve it or promise to do God's will, 00:22:39.29\00:22:43.86 but because you surrender to Jesus 00:22:43.89\00:22:46.59 and allow Him to work in your life. 00:22:46.63\00:22:49.03 Your life will be better with Jesus in it than out of it. 00:22:49.06\00:22:54.27 The new covenant is an invitation to enter 00:22:54.30\00:22:56.67 into a full surrender to Jesus. 00:22:56.71\00:22:59.57 A lack of surrender is the old covenant experience. 00:22:59.61\00:23:03.95 Under the new covenant, God offers a new experience, 00:23:03.98\00:23:07.82 and you can have that. 00:23:07.85\00:23:09.55 Through faith in Jesus you can have the assurance 00:23:09.58\00:23:11.89 that your sins are forgiven. 00:23:11.92\00:23:13.89 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us 00:23:13.92\00:23:18.26 our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 00:23:18.29\00:23:22.66 Through faith in Jesus you can experience transformation. 00:23:22.70\00:23:28.64 "Be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and...put on 00:23:28.67\00:23:32.44 "the new man which was created according to God, 00:23:32.47\00:23:35.38 in true righteousness and holiness." 00:23:35.41\00:23:38.15 Paul said that in Ephesians, chapter 4. 00:23:38.18\00:23:40.55 "For this is the covenant that I will make 00:23:40.58\00:23:42.45 "with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: 00:23:42.48\00:23:45.72 "I will put my laws in their mind and write them 00:23:45.75\00:23:48.42 "on their hearts; and I will be their God, 00:23:48.46\00:23:51.63 and they shall be my people." 00:23:51.66\00:23:53.13 That's Hebrews, chapter 8 in verse 10. 00:23:53.16\00:23:55.90 Do you want that today? 00:23:56.90\00:23:59.00 God offers you the new covenant experience, 00:23:59.03\00:24:01.90 where He dwells in you and you walk in newness of life. 00:24:01.94\00:24:07.31 This is what so many people are missing, 00:24:07.34\00:24:09.48 even people in the church. 00:24:09.51\00:24:12.31 Are you willing to take God at His word today 00:24:12.35\00:24:14.92 and take the best of what He has to offer you? 00:24:14.95\00:24:17.65 You don't have to stay stuck in sin. 00:24:17.69\00:24:21.06 You don't have to stay far from God. 00:24:21.09\00:24:23.76 You don't have to feel condemned. 00:24:23.79\00:24:26.09 You've experienced the impossibility 00:24:26.13\00:24:28.23 of keeping promises to God, 00:24:28.26\00:24:30.23 knowing what you should do but can't do. 00:24:30.27\00:24:33.60 Don't be making promises to God. 00:24:33.64\00:24:35.64 The new covenant is based on God's promises to you. 00:24:35.67\00:24:39.74 He pledges to live His life in you. 00:24:39.77\00:24:43.31 Experience God's new covenant 00:24:43.35\00:24:46.41 and look forward to a new heaven and a new earth. 00:24:46.45\00:24:50.99 >>male announcer: When Adam and Eve sinned, 00:24:51.95\00:24:53.56 a way was established for them to return to the heart of God 00:24:53.59\00:24:56.66 and to occupy the position they had lost 00:24:56.69\00:24:59.03 by their fall from grace. 00:24:59.06\00:25:00.90 God established what the Bible calls 00:25:00.93\00:25:02.66 "the everlasting covenant." 00:25:02.70\00:25:05.03 But what does this mean to Christians today? 00:25:05.07\00:25:07.47 What's the difference between the old covenant 00:25:07.50\00:25:09.50 and the new one? And how can you be sure 00:25:09.54\00:25:11.67 you're living under the right one? 00:25:11.71\00:25:13.68 Don't miss "Living Under the New Covenant," 00:25:13.71\00:25:16.18 a look into God's plan to restore sinners 00:25:16.21\00:25:18.91 and a journey in the love and mercy of heaven. 00:25:18.95\00:25:21.75 Get your free copy of "Living Under the New Covenant" 00:25:21.78\00:25:24.49 right now. 00:25:24.52\00:25:25.62 Call 800-253-3000. 00:25:25.65\00:25:28.46 That's 800-253-3000. 00:25:28.49\00:25:31.46 Or text "freelive" to 71392. 00:25:31.49\00:25:35.10 Text "freelive" to 71392. 00:25:35.13\00:25:38.37 You can write to the address on your screen 00:25:38.40\00:25:40.00 or visit iiwoffer.com. 00:25:40.04\00:25:43.30 Understand the covenants and experience the love of God. 00:25:43.34\00:25:46.64 "Living Under the New Covenant," 00:25:46.68\00:25:48.41 call 800-253-3000. 00:25:48.44\00:25:50.98 >>John Bradshaw: Let me pray with you now. 00:25:52.48\00:25:54.28 Our Father in heaven, when humanity had wandered 00:25:54.32\00:25:56.38 a long way off, and it sealed the death warrant 00:25:56.42\00:25:59.02 of Your Son Jesus, You came to this earth 00:25:59.05\00:26:01.96 and personally invited us into a covenant experience with You. 00:26:01.99\00:26:07.86 You did so in the Garden of Eden after the Fall. 00:26:07.86\00:26:10.67 And you renewed that with Noah and Abram, 00:26:10.70\00:26:12.83 and Abraham, and so on. 00:26:12.87\00:26:15.64 And we thank You today that the new covenant 00:26:15.67\00:26:17.51 is still in effect, that You offer us the gift of salvation 00:26:17.54\00:26:21.81 fully and free. 00:26:21.84\00:26:24.31 Please, Lord, go ahead and do what You've asked, 00:26:24.35\00:26:26.51 put Your laws in our minds, write them in our hearts, 00:26:26.55\00:26:31.22 but at the same time, we wish that You would be our God. 00:26:31.25\00:26:34.76 I wonder, friend, if you would say to Jesus, 00:26:34.79\00:26:36.56 "Yes, count me in; I want to be Your servant." 00:26:36.59\00:26:38.56 We bow before You and say we are weak and needy, 00:26:38.59\00:26:41.86 and we invite You to be our strength 00:26:41.90\00:26:44.00 and our wisdom and our hope. 00:26:44.03\00:26:46.17 We pray that the God of heaven will work in us 00:26:46.20\00:26:48.37 "both to will and to do for His good pleasure." 00:26:48.40\00:26:53.38 Lord, the covenants remind us that You want, 00:26:53.41\00:26:55.71 that You crave a close relationship with us. 00:26:55.74\00:26:59.58 And so we ask You to have that. 00:26:59.61\00:27:01.45 Take our mind; take our life; take our heart. 00:27:01.48\00:27:04.79 Friend, will you pray that prayer? 00:27:04.82\00:27:06.12 Lord Jesus, make my heart Yours; live Your life in me. 00:27:06.15\00:27:10.79 Would you pray that prayer? 00:27:10.83\00:27:11.76 That's, that's the new covenant experience. 00:27:11.79\00:27:14.40 Jesus, write Your law in my heart, put it in my mind, 00:27:14.46\00:27:18.13 and live Your life in me. 00:27:18.17\00:27:19.43 If that's your prayer, 00:27:19.47\00:27:20.47 you can be confident that you are a child of God 00:27:20.50\00:27:23.20 and that Jesus will never leave you or forsake you. 00:27:23.24\00:27:26.07 He will grow you from here to the kingdom. 00:27:26.11\00:27:27.51 Would you make a decision for Jesus now? 00:27:27.54\00:27:29.84 While we are praying, you can say yes 00:27:29.88\00:27:31.85 to the Christ of the cross in Calvary, 00:27:31.88\00:27:33.95 the Christ of the soon Second Coming. 00:27:33.98\00:27:37.32 Father, we thank You that You chose us. 00:27:37.35\00:27:40.82 We respond to You now, 00:27:40.86\00:27:42.16 and we pray in Jesus' name. 00:27:42.19\00:27:45.29 Amen. 00:27:45.33\00:27:46.80 Thank you so much for joining me. 00:27:46.83\00:27:48.10 I'm looking forward to seeing you again next time. 00:27:48.13\00:27:49.83 Until then, remember: 00:27:49.86\00:27:51.23 "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, 00:27:51.27\00:27:54.60 but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" 00:27:54.64\00:27:59.11 ¤[dramatic, triumphant theme music]¤ 00:27:59.14\00:28:03.14 ¤[music ends]¤¤ 00:28:25.97\00:28:28.97