Do you have a New Covenant paradigm or and Old Covenant paradigm? How to recognize which

Let me make this clear. If you are a Gentile believer, then the only possible covenant for you to be under is the New Covenant. Yet, this blog has been devoted to recognizing and correcting error in the doctrine of the evangelical church. Let me broaden that to the church in general. While I am writing with the evangelical Christian in mind, what I write is true about the entire Christian Church. Let's revisit this premise one more time to be sure there is clarity. There is a big discrepancy between the doctrine of the church fathers and the doctrine of the first century apostolic writers who wrote the New Testament. The first century apostolic writers wrote that the word of God was the gospel, and that scripture had a solely redemptive purpose. How can I make that assertion you ask? That is easy, Jesus stated it in John 5:39-40 and again in Luke 24:27; 43-45.

However, if you listen to most Sunday morning sermons across the world, you will find that you are taught that the entire scripture is the word of God, and that the focal purpose of scripture is to modify behavior and lifestyle. Most treat salvation as a one time experience from hearing the gospel message, and then go on to teach an Old Covenant approach to the Law. I have many times referred to this as "Nike Slogan" Christians whose motto is "just do it!"

So what is a New Covenant paradigm anyway? That is simple. It is a paradigm that puts Jesus Christ and redemption at the forefront of everything. That is, every sermon, every song, every prayer, every praise and all worship. It is a paradigm that acknowledges and understand the pre-eminence of Romans 5:1. It is a paradigm that realizes that peace with God is the most important driving force in the transformation process. It is a paradigm that encourages rest in the finished work of the cross and total efficacy of the blood of Jesus in reconciliation.

The New Covenant paradigm acknowledges that God emptied his divinity to become humanity like us, and then forsook all ego in the humiliating death of the cross. It is the forsaking of the ego, with faith in the eternal that made all the difference in the world and is the reason that all of our devotion, worship, love should be focused on Jesus Christ and Him alone.

And still, every Sunday, the Old Covenant paradigm drones on and on in sermon upon sermon that seldom acknowledges the supremacy of Christ. The Old Covenant paradigm, ignores in practice, the Christ centered focus that heals the wounded soul. And the accuser of the brethren is given voice to tear down and discourage rather than build up and encourage.

As we have shown in other posts, what Paul meant when he authored "faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God" he meant very specifically that faith cometh from hearing the gospel. It is the gospel that encourages, and the seasoned saint needs to hear it often to be encouraged, and to overcome the works of the devil. The New Covenant paradigm will always uplift, and it will always center on the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth the Savior of the world!