When looking at the promises mentioned in Scripture, questions can certainly arise when considering the Old Testament and the New Testament.
In the Old Testament, the Jewish nation was God’s great testimony to law. In the New Testament, the Church is His witness for grace. The law prepared the way for grace, and grace enables us to fulfill the righteousness of the law (Romans 8:1-5).
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Today we do not have the same covenant relationship to God that Israel has, but we are still responsible to obey His moral law and use His gifts wisely. Since all Scripture was given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16), then all Scripture is profitable for God’s people to use in developing godly lives. Jesus said that we should live by every Word that God has given us (Matthew 4:4), and that includes the Old Testament.
We can certainly claim the promises (in principle) made to Israel, such as obedience always produces good fruit while disobedience always produces discipline. Both the Old Testament Jew and the New Testament Christian were instructed to live differently than those around them. In Leviticus 18:1-4, the Lord told Moses to pass on a message to the children of Israel: “According to the doings of the land of Egypt…you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan…you shall not do; nor shall you walk in their ordinances. You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am the Lord your God.” And in Ephesians 4:17, Paul instructed the Church in Ephesus not to walk “as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind” (KJV).
The official Jewish confession of faith—“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)—is still the first great commandment (Matthew 22:34-40). One of the marks of maturity is the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. Likewise, mature believers can exercise discernment.
We apply the principles of Old Testament promises to our lives. The Lord reminded His people that it was He who had redeemed them from Egyptian bondage: "For I am the Lord who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:45).
Therefore, they belonged to Him and were obligated to obey His will. Similarly, Christ has redeemed us, not that we might be free to please ourselves but that we might be free to serve Him, which is the greatest freedom of all.
- “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
- “Now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life” (Romans 6:22).
—2 Timothy 3:16
God has the answers to the questions you—and your loved ones—are asking. In Ten Questions Christians Are Asking, Dr. Jeremiah reveals each biblical answer with clarity and assurance.