December 24 | Daily Devotion | Manifesting the Glory of God | Zac Poonen

Summary

This video explores the transformative power of the New Covenant through Jesus Christ, contrasting it with the Old Covenant. It emphasizes that grace and truth, introduced through Christ, offer freedom from hypocrisy and sin, empowering believers to live authentically and victoriously. Unlike the Old Covenant, which could only highlight humanity's inability to fully obey God's law, the New Covenant provides believers with the Holy Spirit to overcome sin and experience true sonship with God. The message stresses the importance of grace, not just as forgiveness, but as a transformative force in the life of a believer.

Takeaways

• 😀 The New Covenant is not about showcasing human righteousness but manifesting God's glory through believers.
• 😀 Jesus embodies grace and truth, a revolutionary shift from the law of the Old Covenant that could not offer true freedom.
• 😀 Grace in the New Covenant goes beyond favor; it empowers believers to live free from sin and hypocrisy, which was impossible under the Old Covenant.
• 😀 Truth in the New Covenant means living a life of reality, free from inner sin and hypocrisy, unlike the outward observance of the law in the Old Covenant.
• 😀 The Tenth Commandment, 'Thou shalt not covet,' was impossible to keep under the Old Covenant, but through the Holy Spirit, believers can overcome sin in the New Covenant.
• 😀 Romans 7 shows how the law condemns but does not transform, while Romans 8 explains how the Holy Spirit enables believers to fulfill the law through grace.
• 😀 Ephesians 2:8-10 emphasizes that salvation is by grace through faith, and the purpose of grace is to empower believers to live the life of Christ and do good works.
• 😀 Under grace, sin no longer has mastery over believers, a stark contrast to being under the law, where sin holds power over one’s life.
• 😀 Many Christians, despite being saved from sin's penalty, still live a life of defeat, akin to wandering in the wilderness, because they do not fully understand the New Covenant.
• 😀 The New Covenant allows believers to call God 'Father,' a relational shift that was impossible under the Old Covenant, where God's people were servants and not sons.

Q & A

What is the main difference between the Old and New Covenants according to the script?

The main difference is that the Old Covenant is based on the law, which could not transform the heart or free people from sin. In contrast, the New Covenant, brought through Jesus Christ, offers grace and truth, enabling believers to overcome sin and live authentically through the power of the Holy Spirit.

How does the concept of Grace differ in the Old and New Covenants?

In the Old Covenant, 'grace' is often translated as 'favor,' which does not imply the transformative power seen in the New Covenant. In the New Covenant, 'grace' refers to the unearned, divine empowerment given by God to believers, enabling them to overcome sin and live in righteousness.

Why is the concept of 'truth' important in the New Covenant?

In the New Covenant, 'truth' refers to living a life of reality—free from hypocrisy and sin. Unlike the Old Covenant, where individuals could outwardly obey the law but still struggle with inner sin, the New Covenant provides the Holy Spirit to help believers live with integrity and authenticity.

What does the scripture mean when it says that 'sin shall not have dominion over you'?

It means that under the New Covenant, believers are no longer enslaved to sin. By walking in grace, empowered by the Holy Spirit, they can overcome sin's control over their lives. This is contrasted with the Old Covenant, where sin had mastery over individuals due to their inability to fully obey the law.

What is the significance of the Tenth Commandment in relation to the Old Covenant?

The Tenth Commandment, which prohibits coveting, reveals the inability of people to fully obey the law. Paul highlights that while he could keep most of the commandments, the desire to covet exposed the inward sin that could not be overcome under the Old Covenant. This points to the need for grace and transformation, which the New Covenant offers.

How does the New Covenant address the issue of hypocrisy?

The New Covenant addresses hypocrisy by offering believers the indwelling Holy Spirit, who empowers them to live with inner integrity and authenticity. Unlike the Old Covenant, where people could outwardly follow the law while inwardly struggling with sin, the New Covenant allows for genuine transformation from the inside out.

What does the term 'sons of God' mean in the New Covenant?

In the New Covenant, 'sons of God' refers to believers who, through the Holy Spirit, are adopted into God's family. They are no longer seen as mere servants under the law but as children who can call God 'Father.' This marks a relational transformation from the Old Covenant, where God was primarily viewed as a master.

How does the Holy Spirit enable believers to fulfill the law?

The Holy Spirit empowers believers to fulfill the law by enabling them to live according to God's will, not through their own strength but by the divine power that resides within them. Under the Old Covenant, people could not fulfill the law fully, but under the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit gives them the ability to live righteously.

What is the significance of Jesus referring to His disciples as 'brothers' after His resurrection?

Jesus calling His disciples 'brothers' after His resurrection signifies the shift from a master-servant relationship to a familial, child-of-God relationship. This marks the full realization of the New Covenant, where believers can now be considered children of God with the right to call Him 'Father.'

Why is the concept of 'servants' and 'sons' important in understanding the Old and New Covenants?

In the Old Covenant, people related to God as servants, with a focus on obedience to the law. In the New Covenant, believers are elevated to the status of sons, which signifies a deeper, relational connection with God through the Holy Spirit. This transition highlights the transformational nature of the New Covenant, where believers are empowered to live out God's will as His children, not merely as obedient subjects.