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INTRODUCTION On Boxing Day Dec 26 2004, a massive undersea earthquake occurred with its epicentre off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. The resultant series of massive tsunami waves hit the shorelines of several countries. Some 228,000 people were killed in 14 countries. The force of the wave tested the construction strength of every impacted building. Those that were well built survived while those who were shoddily built were swept away. Have you ever considered whether what you are building in your life will last? After all, we invest so much time and effort into our studies, our work, our family, our relationships. Will it last? Will it be worthwhile? Will what we have been doing in our lives have significance in our lifetime and beyond? The Bible likens our lives to a spiritual building, a place where God dwells. How do we know if the we are building our lives in a way that will last for eternity? In a way that will have significance for eternity? In 1 Pet 2:4-8, Apostle Peter lifts the eyes of the recipients to understand the greater purposes for which God builds them together into His spiritual house, the Church. From this passage we will discover 3 keys on how we may build our lives for eternity. We examine the first key in Part 1 and the remaining in Part 2. BUILT AROUND CHRIST THE CORNERSTONE (v6-8) This is a quote from Isa 28:16. A prophecy made about 700 years ago before the birth of Jesus about what the Messiah will become to God's people. Christ the Chosen and precious Cornerstone (v6a) For in Scripture it says: "I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone…" Now what is a cornerstone? Today, the foundations are built quite differently from Bible times. Today, a cornerstone is a ceremonial or symbolic stone marking the establishment of a building. But in the Bible times, it has a much more significant role. Eph 2:20-21 tells us that the church is "…20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. " In those days, a building is usually built by starting with a chief cornerstone. The purpose of this cornerstone is to provide alignment for the whole building. It must be precisely laid, as it locates the whole building. It must be precisely shaped because the angles of the building are usually taken off it. It also has to be strong, because it forms part of the foundation of the building. God is building His Church and He has specially chosen Jesus as the main cornerstone. Every person has to make a decision in relation to this cornerstone. There are only two possible choices. Trusting upon the cornerstone (v6b-7a) "…the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame. Now to you who believe, this stone is precious." In Bible times, whenever a builder seeks to build a building, he will carefully inspect the various cut rocks at his disposal. When he finds one that he thinks is appropriate to the task, he then places his trust upon the integrity of that piece of rock. In fact, the builder would often engrave his mark on that stone to indicate his confidence in that cornerstone. From that cornerstone, the builder will begin to measure off the whole building. When the appropriate cornerstone is chosen, the building will be well built. And the builder will not be shamed by his choice. In the same way, every person has a choice to make in relation to Jesus the Cornerstone. If we choose to accept Him as the cornerstone, if we choose to place our trust upon Him, then the Bible says we will never be put to shame. The critical truth is this: we must build our lives around the cornerstone. It is pointless to have a cornerstone and ignore it. Imagine a building’s cornerstone has been laid, then the foreman comes and tries to build the rest of the building without the cornerstone. The building will not be properly located or aligned. Jesus the cornerstone is already laid. Every aspect of our lives should be built around this Cornerstone. In the same way, Jesus the cornerstone is already laid. Every aspect of our lives should be built around this Cornerstone. In effect the house of our lives should be build, with Jesus as the cornerstone of our lives! Every decision we make should have Christ at the very centre. We take our alignment from Christ. How do we do that? The 2 keys are: our relationship with Jesus and obeying His Word. Every significant decision we make; our choice of career, marriage partner, our studies, our finances, parenting, lifestyle choices, where we live, our dreams, etc. Are we aligning with the principles revealed in Gods Word? Are we going to God, asking for His guidance? Or are we simply making our choices, and then asking for God's blessings? How certain are we that we have truly built our lives around Jesus Christ as our cornerstone? An indicator of where we have placed our trust is revealed by our fears. Our fears are often revealed when we are in great danger of losing something truly important to us. Perhaps your education or your health. Your spouse, your family, your good reputation, your ministry, your friendship, your possessions or sense of control in your life? When faced with such a situation, will we still trust in Christ? Truly trusting God means trusting Him with the outcomes in any situation. Truly trusting God means trusting Him with the outcomes in any situation. All too often we find it easy to trust someone when we can clearly see an outcome that we agree with. But will we trust God even for an outcome that we may not want? Psa 112:6-8 (NIV)6 Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. 7 He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes. Some years ago, a young lady in our church lost both her parents suddenly in a car accident. It was devastating for her. Yet through her grief she did not blame God nor lose her trust in God. It blessed my heart to see her faith remain solid through the tragedy. So how are we building our lives today? Are we building around Christ as our Cornerstone? Are we making decisions in life that helps draw us into a greater intimacy with Christ and into alignment with His purposes? Or are they taking us further away from Christ? The question is how much will we build off this cornerstone? V7a helps us to understand that the more we value Christ, the more we will rely on Him and build our lives around Him. The church must also be built around Jesus the cornerstone. The church must also be built around Jesus the cornerstone. That is why a key core value of Hope Church is "Christ-centered". We believe Christ must be central to who we are and what we do. We are passionate about our relationship with Christ and submit to His Lordship. That is also why in Hope Church we honour God's Word greatly. God's Word contain the blueprint for His Church and we will do all we can to build it according to God's principles. That is why one of our core values is "Bible-based". We are a Bible-believing, Bible-based and Bible-teaching church. We emphasize expository preaching and sound practical teaching from the Bible. This is a particular uniqueness and strength of our Hope churches. Our dream should be to build a glorious Church that the Bible speaks about. That our churches will be full of quality people that know God, walk with God and fulfils the purposes of God. A church that will impact lives, impact our community, our city and beyond. It will come to pass if we continue to put Christ as the cornerstone of our lives and of our church! Rejecting the stumbling block (v7b-8) "But to those who believe, The stones the builders rejected has become the capstone,” and, “A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." A builder must make choices about each rock. Will he choose to use it as the chief cornerstone? In this passage is highlighted the unusual qualities of this cornerstone. For men shall stand or fall according to their choices in relation to this cornerstone. The analogy is intended to emphasize the importance of the right choice in relation to Christ. Those who choose wisely, will be receive rewards both here on this earth and in the age to come. Those who reject Christ, will suffer the consequences. Rom 2:8 (NIV) But for those who are self–seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. Christ is not only the cornerstone, but also the capstone, the crowning glory and authority. For the very stone they reject, Psa 118:22 as quoted in v7, reveals it has now become the capstone, the pinnacle stone, the final top stone. Christ is not only the cornerstone, but also the capstone, the crowning glory and authority. He will sit in authority and glory over the Church and all of creation! It is important to note the key quality required to build upon the cornerstone. Faith to believe in Christ. For those who do not believe, they reject the cornerstone. Why do some reject the cornerstone? One of the reasons is because the message is too radical, too confronting. That is why v8 says that it "causes men to stumble". Some people look at the Gospel and see it as a stumbling block. Because they are not comfortable with the truth. It is inconvenient to them. The truth is inconvenient because it reveals the true condition of their hearts. Because it would mean a change in their priorities and lifestyle. It is far too inconvenient, uncomfortable. Convenient Christianity is a compromised Christianity. How many Christians pay lip service to Christ the Cornerstone but align their lives according to convenience rather than the Cornerstone? That is why I am uneasy with too much comfort, too much convenience. It often leads to compromise. Convenient Christianity is a compromised Christianity. How many Christians pay lip service to Christ the Cornerstone but align their lives according to convenience rather than the Cornerstone? The Bible warns us in 2 Tim 4:3-4 (NIV) 3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. CONCLUSION Let us choose today to align ourselves with Christ and His Word. Let’s build our lives and our churches upon Christ the Cornerstone. That is when we build for eternity. Copyright©️2022 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

INTRODUCTION In this 3-part article series on Living On The Borderline we are addressing the dangers of living with both feet in the Kingdom of God and this world. We may think we are smart to straddle both kingdoms. But in reality, we are setting ourselves up for a major fall. Part 1 addresses our choices over God’s choices. Part 2 tackles complacency. Part 3 examines the dangers of compromise by looking at the life of Balaam through the lens of Joshua 13:22 (NIV84) In addition to those slain in battle, the Israelites had put to the sword Balaam son of Beor, who practiced divination. Balaam son of Beor was a prophet but not a godly one. Balaam definitely heard from God, but he misused it for money. In his greed, he would sell his services for money. He prostituted his gift. So when Balak the King of Moab and the Midianite elders wanted to curse the Israelites, they sent for him and promised him much money (Num 22). But no matter how much Balaam wanted to, God would not permit him to curse the Israelites. Let’s consider the various ways Balaam compromised God's gift and its consequences. COMMERCIALISING GOD'S GIFT God gives us supernatural gifts to bless His Church. Not to commercialise it for personal gain. God gives us supernatural gifts to bless His Church. Not to commercialise it for personal gain. Ministers should not become millionaires through using the spiritual gifts God has given them. If they were already millionaires, it is another matter. Or if they made some smart investments, etc. But it should not be through commercialising their spiritual gifts! Don't misuse the gifts God has given to us! I am not saying that God’s servants cannot receive any compensation from their ministry. 1 Cor 9:9-11 (NIV) 9For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. 11If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? There is a legitimate right to support for the ministry. And I believe we should take good care of God's servants and bless them. But there is a big difference between support, blessing and making them very rich! I like Rick Warren's approach. When his books became best sellers and sold millions, he made millions of dollars. What did he do then? He gave back to his church all 20 plus years of salary that he was paid! Don't misuse God's gifts. For it is to misuse God's grace! If we do not honour God properly with the gifts He has given us, we will face God's discipline one day. Gal 6:7 (NIV84) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Those who made millions by commercialising their spiritual gifts, they will receive little rewards in heaven because they have gained all their rewards on earth already! I loved what my first senior pastor, Ps. Richard Holland did after he retired. He travelled to smaller churches to minister and bless them. He was not seeking to be blessed, nor self-gain. But just to be a blessing to God’s people. You may not be a prophet or even a minister. But as long as you are a child of God, He has given you special gifts. Are you using them in a way that honours God? CORRUPTING GOD'S GIFT Joshua 13:22 (NIV84) In addition to those slain in battle, the Israelites had put to the sword Balaam son of Beor, who practiced divination. Balaam went beyond commercialising his spiritual gift. He corrupted it by enticing others into sinful practices and even ended up dabbling in the occult. Balaam advised King Balak to have their Midianite women seduce the Israelite men and lead them to idolatry. In Num 25 is recorded their success in causing Israelite men to sin with those women. Consequently, God judged them with a plague. God’s disgust at his actions are given in Rev 2:14 (NIV84) Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Here was a prophet who heard from God, yet also was greedy and unrighteous, who also practiced divination and sorcery. He corrupted the gift of God! How could he be a prophet? Maybe he was a prophet who compromised his allegiance to God and later dabbled in demonic sources as well. Perhaps in his greed, he wanted to have more power and influence which he would not get from what God had gifted him in alone. I have seen similar things happen to some Christians gifted by God who somehow went for other spirits as well. 1 Tim 4:1 (NIV84) The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Do such people retain God's supernatural gift to them? Some believe that in Rom 11:29 (NIV84) for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. In other words, even when these ones go off the track, their gifts still remain. I am less certain. But certainly, God's gift does not appear to immediate disappear when they go off track. God is long suffering. However, in the end God judged Balaam and he was killed for his terrible sins, as recorded in Num 31:8. Those operating supernatural gifts do not always mean they are in right standing with God! What lessons can we learn from this? Those operating supernatural gifts do not always mean they are in right standing with God! We need to discern the fruits of their lives! So don't just follow everything they say or do. The Word is the standard! Just because we are operating in supernatural gifts does not in itself mean we are fine with God! Even if most of your gifts are not supernatural, consider whether you may be corrupting your gifts through worldly perspectives and values. Consequently, you may be using these gifts in the wrong way, in an unrighteous manner. Don’t live on the borderline! Let us decide today to use our spiritual gifts in a God-honouring fashion. And keep our hearts right before God! HOW TO AVOID COMPROMISE 1. Understand God’s Word Ignorance is the Devil’s best tool to get us into compromise. You don’t know what your spiritual compromise is unless you know the standard in God’s Word. Ignorance is the Devil’s best tool to get us into compromise. Ignorance is simply an inexcusable excuse. If a traffic police pulls you up for breaking a road rule, you cannot claim ignorance. 2. Renew your mind and heart continually Unless we develop convictions that align with God’s Word, we will not be able to overcome the cut and thrust of this fallen world. Besides knowing God’s principles, we have to let God’s Word renew our minds and hearts (Rom 12:2). Unless we develop convictions that align with God’s Word, we will not be able to overcome the cut and thrust of this fallen world. For more insights, view or read my leadership podcast on Building Deeper Convictions. 3. Be in godly company Godly, mature Christ-followers are able to better discern between godly and worldly pursuits which we may be less aware of. They can alert us if we start to wander down the wrong path. Godly, mature Christ-followers are able to better discern between godly and worldly pursuits which we may be less aware of. They can alert us if we start to wander down the wrong path. Our willingness to be accountable to these friends will be a strong safeguard for our choices. Further, when we amongst them, their faith, values, convictions and spiritual experiences can impact us significantly (Psa 1:1). I had benefited greatly having lived in amongst households with godly housemates who inspired my spiritual growth. Interacting with other godly leaders have also inspired my vision and spiritual leadership. 4. Rely upon God’s grace Avoiding compromise is so challenging it needs us to rely upon God’s grace each day. Avoiding compromise is so challenging it needs us to rely upon God’s grace each day. We are unable to do it by our own strength alone. We need to come to God each day asking for His strength and guidance. 5. Acknowledgment and repentance If we did compromise, it is crucial to realise it and name it specifically. We have to identify the compromise, the sin and the situation leading to the sin. By doing so, we begin to understand why we compromised. Then we should repent before God. Not only to be sorry about it but to serious resolve not to fall into that compromise again. 6. Set boundaries Very few of us can face continual temptation and pressure to compromise without falling in some way. To reduce such situations, we must develop appropriate boundaries to keep us further away from compromising situations. Just as all recovering alcoholics with Alcoholics Anonymous must determine to keep away from all alcohol. We must recognise that we have certain weaknesses that too frail otherwise. CONCLUSION The prophet Balaam compromised his prophetic gift and turned from God. It led to God’s judgment. Compromise is a persistent danger we all face. Pride, self-centredness, ignorance or even neglect can lead us down this path of compromise. Hence, we need to be determined not to compromise. Not our spiritual gifts, not our decisions, not our lives! Copyright©️2022 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

INTRODUCTION In this series Living on the Borderline based on Joshua 13:8-33, we address the tricky issue of trying to live in both worlds. The Kingdom of God and this world. So many choose to live right at the border in hope of tasting the best of both worlds. Little do they realise that in fact, they will lose out on both. In Part 1, we examined the dangers of Choosing What Seems Good yet misses God. In Part 2 we address the problem of complacency. Now God had clearly instructed the Israelites that they were to totally drive out the inhabitants of the land. Num 33:55 (NIV84) But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live. But they did not! They were too complacent! What is complacency? It is a self-satisfaction, usually in an unreflective way and without being aware of possible dangers. What can we learn about the danger of living with complacency? FORMS OF COMPLACENCY We notice in Josh13:13a (NIV84) "But the Israelites did not drive out the people of Geshur and Maacah…". There was a complacency to fully follow through with God’s instructions, to fully drive out the inhabitants of the land. Complacency can take many forms. It can be complacency with the things of God, His Word, His purposes. An attitude that says, can't be bothered about my wrong attitudes or sins. It will be right, mate! The Scriptures show that God will judge complacency. Zeph 1:12-13 (NIV84) 12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, ‘The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.’ 13 Their wealth will be plundered, their houses demolished. They will build houses but not live in them; they will plant vineyards but not drink the wine. It can be complacency with our family life. “My wife and children should be OK”. We can take things for granted. Being a very busy person who travels a lot, it is easy to just close my eyes and ignore my family's needs. But I must not be complacent. I have to do my part to nurture my children in God's way as they grow up! Please don't neglect our families despite the busyness of life! It can be complacency for our finances too! “I have an OK income. I should be right!” Don't be complacent. Think about your future and your family too! So I place my trust in God to help me financially as I make plans to invest in savings for the sake of the family as the Scriptures teach. It can be complacency in our work! “As long as I put in the hours!” Can I suggest that there should be an intention to improve and develop in our skills and knowledge at work. Similarly in ministry, we should seek to improve! Both aspects can complement the other. When I was a research scientist in CSIRO, I continued to learn more and hone my leadership, project management and interpersonal skills in a secular setting of a large organisation that also worked with industry. I intentionally learnt more about human resource management, occupational health and safety and so forth. Because I could see that the potential value of such knowledge in the church setting as well. I was not complacent. RESULTS OF COMPLACENCY As a result of the complacency of the half tribe of Manasseh, Reuben and Gad, the people of Geshur and Maacah (v13b) "… continue to live among the Israelites to this day." What happened when the Israelites complacently allowed the people of Geshur and Maacah to remain? The Maacah people later rose up to oppose the Israelites in the time of David, by joining the Ammonites. 2 Sam 10:6 (NIV84) When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench in David’s nostrils, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth Rehob and Zobah, as well as the king of Maacah with a thousand men. Complacency invites corruption and deterioration. When I was complacent with my garden, the weeds eventually took over! Complacency invites corruption and deterioration. When I was complacent with my garden, the weeds eventually took over! When we are complacent, things that should not begin to take root and grow and get out of control! In can be in our hearts with wrong or sinful attitudes. It can be in our family when our children go the wrong way. Or financially when we discover resources became depleted due to our lack of proper financial management. Or when we discover our work or ministry is no longer fruitful. The cost of complacency is always pain later on! Relax now, and much regret later! The cost of complacency is always pain later on! It allows us to slip to the border easily. Don't live on the borderline! It is better to be alert and effective now. It costs a little more pain more, but we reap the rewards later! Relax now, and much regret later! Pain now, much gain later! THE INVISIBILITY OF COMPLACENCY Complacency can be easily hidden behind other strengths and accomplishments of a person. The challenge of complacency is that it is not often obvious. For the complacent person is not necessarily the same as a lazy person. Complacency can be easily hidden behind other strengths and accomplishments of a person. Consider that rich man who had a tremendous sense of self-achievement and self-satisfaction because of his good fortune. Jesus taught in Luke 12:16–21 (NIV84) 16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ However, he was complacent about the most important thing - his relationship with God. While we can accomplish to all kinds of things, we should ask ourselves where we are in relation to God. For success in life can fill our senses and attention and cause us to ignore the need to relate with God. One reason people fall into the trap of complacency is because they fail to have a balanced priority in their life. They tend to become over-focussed on a few areas and neglect important areas in their life, particularly the spiritual area. The wealthy man could have thought to himself that now he had enough for a comfortable life, he could focus more on spiritual matters. But he did never did. Hence, we often think that things are OK when in reality they are not. But because we fail to realise that, we end up doing nothing and not addressing the issue. Consequently, we eventually suffer loss. Often the issues appear insignificant at first, just like the little foxes in Song 2:15. Yet these foxes destroy the vine. Scriptures also warn us that the Devil is like a prowling lion waiting to devour people (1 Pet 5:8). When we are complacent, we are not alert and easily fall victim to the Devil's schemes. HOW TO AVOID COMPLACENCY Following are some key steps we can take: 1. We should determine to be alert and have self-control. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV84) Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. For the Enemy will find it much harder to devour us when we are alert to His schemes. To be alert, we need to be spiritually sensitive to God. We need to be conscious of things which may not be right before God and how it could affect us in due time. 2. We should be willing to listen to others when they point out some areas of concern in our lives. Small areas of problem can grow to be big problems, just like yeast that very soon spreads through the whole (Matt 16:6). That is why we need to be accountable in our lives. This allows others to point out to us potential problem areas in our lives (Pro 9:9). 3. We should learn lessons from others who may have made mistakes in the area of complacency so that we can hopefully avoid the same mistakes. How do we discover that? By relating to wiser, more experienced people. By having mentors. By reading widely in relevant areas, particularly about potential pitfalls. CONCLUSION Complacency can be deceptive because it is not always obvious. It is often hidden behind our areas of strength and accomplishments. We may be deceived to think that because of the myriad of things we are working on, surely we are not complacent. Yet when there is imbalance in our lives, it is easy to neglect key areas, to be complacent about it. The result is always greater pain later on when the area of complacency develops into a significant problem. This is particularly important in spiritual areas and our relationship with God. Copyright©️2022 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

INTRODUCTION Have you ever tried to have the best of both worlds only to discover that you lost both? Sometimes as Christians we want the heavenly and the worldly at the same time. Sometimes as Christians we want the heavenly and the worldly at the same time. We want to be in the Kingdom of God yet be so close to the border to the Kingdom of the world. Because we still want to taste the worldly allure. We want to live in the thin border between both worlds. Living on the borderline is a rather dangerous spot to be. Because we can easily tip over to the wrong side. Further, it can end up being a rather uncomfortable place to be. Ever tried to sit on a thin wooden fence? In this series of 3 articles, I will share on 3 key areas that we can live in the grey, on the border. Areas that we need to watch our hearts and be alert about. In this series, we will examine the story of Joshua 13:8-33. CHOOSING GOOD BUT NOT GOD When we look at the story of how the Israelites divided up the Promised Land, we can see some of these attitudes. God had promised the Israelites land basically on the western side of the Jordan River. Yet we find in Joshua 13:8 (NIV84) The other half of Manasseh, the Reubenites and the Gadites had received the inheritance that Moses had given them east of the Jordan, as he, the servant of the Lord, had assigned it to them. The Reubenites and Gadites had seen that the land was suitable for their livestock and requested Moses to let them have it. Num 32:1, 4-5 (NIV84) 1The Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were suitable for livestock… 4the land the LORD subdued before the people of Israel—are suitable for livestock, and your servants have livestock. 5If we have found favor in your eyes,” they said, “let this land be given to your servants as our possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan.” Notice the last sentence where they pleaded with Moses. Basically, they did not want to enter into the Promised Land which was on the western side. Instead, they wanted the eastern side of the Jordan River. In the end Moses gave in to their requests. Sometimes, the "good" can be the enemy of the "best". Sometimes what we define as good is actually "second best". Or worse, it conflicts with God's choice! On the surface it might seem like a reasonable choice and request. Yet what may seem good is not always so. Sometimes, the "good" can be the enemy of the "best". Sometimes what we define as good is actually "second best". Or worse, it conflicts with God's choice! Was the choice of these 2.5 tribes good? When we examine their motivations for the decision, it begins to look very similar to Lot's choice (Gen 13:10-13). Let me point out the characteristics of their choices. SENSE-DRIVEN RATHER THAN SPIRITUALLY-DISCERNED. In Num 32:1, they "saw that the lands…were suitable for livestock". Similarly, in Gen 13:10, "Lot looked up and saw…" Lot feasted his eyes on the well-watered plains of Jordan. And he thought to himself. “This is it! It looks beautiful! Everything that I need for my flocks! It feels right, it must be right!” And so he made his choice. Similarly, the 2.5 tribes made their decision. Hollywood keeps telling us, “If it feels right, it must be right! Don’t think, let your heart guide you!” How many of us do exactly just that? We let our hearts guide us! But at the expense of our heads! If we were only deciding which flavour of ice-cream – that would be fine! But too often major decisions of our life are driven by our hearts. It is absolutely unbiblical to let significant decisions be driven by our hearts. The Scriptures never teaches us to make decisions that way. Prov 19:2 (NIV84) "It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way." The wise will stop and analyse the situation and its consequences, before deciding. I am not saying we ignore our heart. It has a place, but a secondary role. The wisest will think things through and more. They will seek God. Prov 3:6 (NIV84) "in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Lot failed in his choice because he was driven by his senses. The 2.5 tribes made the same mistake. On the other hand, Abraham was blessed because his choices were spiritually discerning. He sought not earthly attractions but heavenly promises. In Gen 13:15-16, it showed Abraham’s focus was on the promise of God. The writer of Hebrews explained Abraham’s perspective. Heb 11:10 (NIV84) "For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." When we make spiritually discerning choices, it lifts us to a higher level. We can begin to live for a higher purpose. When we make spiritually discerning choices, it lifts us to a higher level. We can begin to live for a higher purpose. Instead of living for the moment, we begin to live for the eternal. I know Ps Mark Edwards who leads CityHope Church, a significant church in Ipswich, a town adjacent to Brisbane on the west. His father was Sir Llewellyn Edwards (deceased), a famous and influential Queenslander. Sir Llew was once Deputy Premier of Queensland, Chancellor of the University of Queensland and was director on many public listed companies. Mark was a successful lawyer and could have followed his father’s footsteps or worked in their large family business RT Edwards. Instead, he gave it all up and chose God's business. Because he saw its greater value. Will you be guided by your good senses or God-sense? Will you be guided by your feelings or spiritual discernment? Is there more excitement in your senses than in the Spirit? SELF-CENTRED RATHER THAN GOD-CENTRED. In Num 32:4-5 the concern was for their livestock. Their greater concern was to feed their own flocks than to take the Promised Land. It was more self-centred than God-centred. They sacrificed God's allocation for their own choice! Similarly, when Lot made his choice, he did not put in any consideration for his uncle Abraham. Out of respect for his uncle, he could have given the better option to his uncle. Instead, he chose it all for himself. Lot was greedy. Grabbed what he wanted first. The irony is he thought he got the best. But in the end he got nothing, and even worse, lost almost everything in the process. It iswhen we trust God enough to make Him central in our decisions, that we can be in the centre of His will. It is then that we are at the centre of His blessings. On the other hand, Abraham was so generous in his graciousness. He did not get excited about the lovely plains but trusted God. His attitude was, “Whatever Lot chooses, I will trust God for the His best.” It was only after God revealed His choice of land, that Abraham made his choice. For Abraham was more concerned about choices that pleased God. It iswhen we trust God enough to make Him central in our decisions, that we can be in the centre of His will. It is then that we are at the centre of His blessings. What are some characteristics of self-centred choices? Haste more than prayer. There are much more "I" concerns than "God" concerns. "I" tend to benefit quite a bit more than "God's Kingdom". Not saying that we will never benefit, we could. But not significantly, at least not obviously to ourselves. How do we know that the decision of the 2.5 tribes was not so good? These tribes were the first to be conquered and carried off into exile because of their unfaithfulness, as recorded in 1 Chr 5:25-26 (NIV84)25But they were unfaithful to the God of their fathers and prostituted themselves to the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them. 26So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria (that is, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria), who took the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh into exile... They were in the wrong place that exposed them to greater influences of idolatry. You may ask, then why did Moses or God allow them to occupy those land? Because they wanted it so bad! When Israel wanted their own king so bad - God finally let them have their own king but warned them of the dangers. At times, God allows it because He knows they will force their own way anyway. Better that He at least set some parameters rather than them rebelliously making their own, even worst choices. Sometimes God allows us to get what we want, not because it is best for us. But because we throw a tantrum about it! So He lets us get it in order that we may learn our lesson. CONCLUSION Are we choosing what we view as good? Above God? In our haste we may fail to discern what God’s preference is. In our self-centredness we may run towards what seems good and ignore what is of God, which may not look as good initially. Let’s determine to look to God like Abraham did and trust Him for the best. Let’s live squarely in God’s will. Don't live on the borderline! Copyright©️2022 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

What pressures are assailing you? Has wear and tear due to trials been causing distinct emotional fatigue and cracks? Difficulties due to your finances, marital issues, kids, covid19, ministry dead ends, etc...? We must learn to walk crack-free by applying our authority in the new man in Christ. Maybe you have been wondering, ‘How can this be happening to me?’ Why me? More sleep, exercise, right diet do profit. However, things maybe outside our immediate control. We must understand God allows pressure tests. They bring us to a higher place. Importantly, we must learn to walk crack-free by applying our authority in the new man in Christ. A crack-free life is a witness for Christ. We take note that the disciples were astonished by Jesus’ witness. He was undaunted by storm-pressures in Mark chapter 4. In 2 Kings chapters 6 & 7 we read about Israel under siege. A severe famine resulted. The situation became so dire some people even resorted to cannibalism to survive. But Elisha saw possibility despite pressure. No cracks appeared due to any fatigue unlike others. Importantly, what pressures appear to be wearing you down now? God’s divine blueprint for advancing crack-free God was testing his king and cracks were appearing everywhere. What’s the lesson? The king saw the dire situation, watching helplessly as women ate each other’s sons! He hid his sack cloth under his robe. He didn’t cry out to God publicly. He wasn’t sincere. He bottled things up. He blamed Elisha the prophet for everything and wanted to kill him. He became full of evil suspicions and mistrust. He felt abandoned by God and became fatalistic. The king said in 2 Kings, chapter 6, verse 33, “The disaster is from the Lord, why wait for the Lord any longer.” This says a lot about his heart. Cracks appeared. Extreme pressures revealed his extreme self-reliance. He was blind to the fact he needed God more than ever. The purpose of the test was God-reliance to showcase God’s glory. Practically, how can we apply God’s divine blueprint to pass our pressure test? 1. Stop feeding our emotional dump master. Break the downward spiral by finding hope in God afresh. No matter how you feel, he’s on your side! We need to air out ‘garbage feelings’ wisely. This is so we don’t lose all our friends or overwhelm our spouse! Talk to God sincerely about what is going on to find grace. Seek him about what he wants us to learn. Break the downward spiral by finding hope in God afresh. No matter how you feel, he’s on your side! 2. Careful not to blame shift. No matter how hard, and despite others being at fault, don’t blame shift! What is our contribution? By blaming others, we negate our own repentance. If we turn to God, his superior peace can arrest the storm. We are tested like the disciples of Jesus. The disciples blamed Jesus as their boat began to sink, saying “Don’t you care?” He said, “You calm the storm!” 3. God never sees a dead end, only a highway leading forward. The kingdom of God is not limited. “Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.” One meaning of shalom or peace is wholeness. God’s healing and divine order helps us go from the cracks to crack free. I have seen people delivered from extreme panic attacks and mental torment. They took practical steps forward as they warred according to the prophetic words on their life. (See 1 Timothy chapter 1 verse 18). When they minister in God’s presence today, freedom and deliverance break out powerfully! We can learn from Elisha who releases the superior authority from heaven. Pressures? Press into God’s secret counsel The word of the Lord came to Elisha, “By this time tomorrow, the famine will lift.” Wow, no more famine, the economy can get better by the morning. Elisha tapped into kingdom authority. The faithless king’s hand would “see it but not partake in it.”Elisha’s prophecy was bang on. What was his secret? Elisha knew God’s heart is not for our defeat and devastation. He sought God and knew the father’s secret counsel. He prophesied it and the famine lifted! Similarly, Jesus knew the father’s will to ‘cross over the lake.’ He was authorised to trump the storm with heaven’s peace. A legion of demons was no match. What is your special assignment today? “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter. The glory of kings is to search it out.” Where does God want you, what is his assignment? The secret things of the kingdom of God belong to his children. Every child loves playing hide and seek! As we declare God’s words of the kingdom his peace will carry us forward. And it opens the door to God’s unexpected intervention. Interestingly, in this story in 2 Kings chapter 7, the lepers arise as a game-changer. They realised that if they stayed where they are they would die. They took a risk and went to enemy camp. Pressures give way to prospects The lepers discovered God had won the battle for them all. This is a type of the new covenant. God has already won our battle too. We too must learn to take back what the enemy has taken. The lepers gathered the plunder and determined to spread the good news of God’s victory! Align to the great commission (Matthew Chapter 28) to share the gospel of the kingdom to have authority. And as we ‘wait’ on God we will receive fresh power for our assignment. Doors will open up despite Covid hindrances or anything else. And be blessed. Where has the pressure test has revealed the deepest cracks in your life? That is where in the new man we are going to minister the greatest victories in other’s lives to calm their storm. (First published by Mark Rusic in Christian Today Australia) Copyright©️2021 by Mark Rusic. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

INTRODUCTION Unlocking the connection between the Old Testament and New Testament connection can be likened to piecing a jigsaw puzzle together. In the previous article in this series “How The Old Connects With The New” we showed Jesus is the key to unlocking the connection between the Old and the New Testaments. The correct explanation must be consistent in its applicability throughout all of Scripture. In this article, we apply the Jesus-key to demonstrate its consistency. The critical matter to grasp is that it is all about the eternal principles. When Jesus functions as a filter, what eternal principle was upheld when Jesus fulfilled aspects of the Law? When Jesus functioned as a lens, what eternal principle is the focus behind specific requirements or practices? When Jesus functioned as an elevator, what is the more fundamental or higher eternal principle that is operative? With the above in mind, let us consider what changed between the Old and New. Here are some changes in key areas. Weekly Sabbath to Sabbath-rest in God The 4th commandment is stated in Exodus 20:8–10 (NIV84) 8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates..” The Hebrew word Sabbath means rest and it was intended to mean to rest in God. The Jews zealously followed the form to take the Saturday rest in every week as a rule. When Jesus came, Jesus filtered out the form of observing a day. Jesus served as the lens to refocus sabbath to its true intent. Mark 2:27–28 (NIV84) 27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” Sabbath was made for man, to find rest. In whom? In the Lord of the Sabbath. Hebrews 4:9-10 (NIV84) 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. How do we enter that rest? Hebrews 4:2-3 (NIV84) 2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest. Jesus served as a lens to refocus the weekly sabbath on its eternal principle: True Sabbath is resting by faith in Christ. Through believing in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are now saved by God’s grace alone and not through human effort. Jesus served as a lens to refocus the weekly sabbath on its eternal principle: True Sabbath is resting by faith in Christ. As Christians we are to continue in this Sabbath rest by living in continual trust in God’s provision. 24/7 and 365 days in the year. So we no longer need a weekly rest? The external form still useful guide. Having a day to rest from hard work and to spend about God’s business is always good for our body, soul and spirit. 10 Commandments: From Rules to Principles Many are confused about the 10 commandments. Some say, “Since the Mosaic Laws no longer apply, neither do the 10 commandments”. Others say, “Jesus has fulfilled the Mosaic Law but not the 10 commandments since it is moral laws”. Does that mean we have to obey the Sabbath day commandment? Others claim that Jesus affirmed 9 of the commandments and therefore should be retained. But did He really? And there are many other ideas. Principles contained within the Old Testament pass through Jesus as filter/lens/elevator into the New Testament. Consequently, the eternal principle is retained but the outer form can be changed. The key is to understand that principles contained within the Old Testament pass through Jesus as filter/lens/elevator into the New Testament. Consequently, the eternal principle is retained but the outer form can be changed. The 10 commandments in itself is a form of regulations. The form is often close to the principle, sometimes the same. Let’s now consider the first 5 commandments in the Table. The first 3 commandments are very close to the principle, as shown in the Table. With the 3rd commandment, Jesus expands upon it in Matthew 5:33–37 (NIV84) 33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ 34 But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. In effect Jesus was saying that if we were to swear an oath by something on earth, or heaven, it is still in effect swearing upon something which belongs to God rather than us. We are therefore misappropriating God’s name. We are using God’s integrity, God’s honour to buttress our own. Jesus here acted as the lens, re-focussing on God’s honour. Hence, we not to misuse God’s name by using it for our own purposes. In fact, we should have the integrity not to need to swear an oath upon anything. We cannot treat the 10 commandments as one complete set, to be moved in the same fashion across to the New Testament. Rather each should be processed uniquely through Jesus. The 4th commandment is treated differently from the first 3 commandments, as was explained in detail earlier. The most obvious reason is because the 4th commandment was given in a form of an external religious practice, rather than an eternal principle. Thus, we cannot treat the 10 commandments as one complete set, to be moved in the same fashion across to the New Testament. Rather each should be processed uniquely through Jesus. The 5th commandment is virtually the same principle. Jesus explicitly affirmed the 5th to 9th commandment in the narrative about the rich young ruler who wanted to gain eternal life. Matthew 19:17–19 (NIV84) 17 …If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’” So Jesus affirmed the commandments are important to obey. He sums up with “love the neighbour as yourself” which generally includes all the 5th to 10th commandments as these all relate to how we treat our neighbour. The 6th and 7th commandments, Jesus elevated it to a higher standard, as shown in the Table below. It is obvious that Jesus moved the focus from specific behaviours to the condition of the heart. The 8th and 9th commandment apostle Paul brought out the principle more clearly. Again, like Jesus, Apostle Paul refocussed them from specific behaviours to the condition of the heart. The 10th commandment Jesus brought a clearer focus on the principle behind it. It is fantastic if we can work from eternal principles to determine what is acceptable to God or not. Otherwise, we can fall back on the commandments itself. Because for the most part, the form is a good indicator of the principle. Except the 4th commandment on the sabbath day rest. Indeed, we find a similar approach amongst the New Testament writers. At times, the New Testament writers used the form and at other times revealing the eternal principles behind them. It appears to depend on the context. It is like driving on the road. For simplicity we could say, “Just follow the road rules.” Or for more advanced and safer driving we could teach the driver principles of safe driving and ask them to apply the most appropriate principles to safe driving. Circumcision of flesh to circumcision of heart Circumcision of the flesh is an outward form, given in the Abrahamic covenant where the male foreskin is cut off. But the eternal principle is circumcision of the heart. Romans 2:28-29 (NIV84) 28 A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God. Physical circumcision conveys the principle of removing the flesh of our hearts graphically and symbolically. Our fleshly self-reliance is to be removed so we are left totally relying upon God. Just as circumcision is physically done by someone else, the circumcision of the heart is done by someone else, the Holy Spirit. Different expression, same eternal principle. God did hint at this back in Leviticus 26:41–42 (NIV84) 41…then when their uncircumcised hearts are humbled and they pay for their sin, 42 I will remember my covenant with Jacob and my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham.... Levitical priesthood to believers’ priesthood In Old Testament times only the Levite tribe can be priests. When Jesus died on the cross, He changed the priesthood. Jesus became the High Priest in Heaven while all believers became priests unto God. 1 Peter 2:5 (NIV84) you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. The eternal principle: All God’s people are to serve His Kingdom and personally approach His throne as priests. In the Old Testament priesthood was limited to a minority but now it has been broadened to all. The eternal principle: All God’s people are to serve His Kingdom and personally approach His throne as priests. That is why we don’t call our pastors priests. That is why we encourage every believer to serve God, because it is our priestly duty. There is no special hierarchy of leaders who stands as intermediary to Christ. Ceremonial sacrifices to living sacrifices In the Old Testament, all manner of sacrifices were given to God, both animal and grain by the Levitical priests. In the New Testament we give spiritual sacrifices through living for God. Romans 12:1 (NIV84) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Animal sacrifices has been elevated to sacrifices of the heart in the New Testament. The eternal principle: God seeks sacrificial living that is holy and pleasing to God, a sacrifice from the heart. Animal sacrifices has been elevated to sacrifices of the heart in the New Testament. The eternal principle: God seeks sacrificial living that is holy and pleasing to God, a sacrifice from the heart. Central Pattana is by far the biggest and most sophisticated developer and operator of shopping centres in Thailand. They operate 45 premium shopping centres, hotels and office buildings. Kobchai Chirathivat ran and grew the family business for many years. He was President and CEO as well as Director. Despite being a very busy businessman, he served God with great passion and dedication. He and his wife started ACTS church in Bangkok, one of our HIM churches. It is a large church today with many business people. Even though he is now in his mid-60s he is still as passionate about building God’s church! That is living a sacrificial life! Conclusion God is the God of covenants. God is the author of both the Two Covenants: The Old and new Testaments. Within these Testaments are conveyed God’s heart and purposes. Although the way it is conveyed can seem quite different, yet they all contain the same eternal principles that we can live by, be inspired and find life. Through it all we discover that God is seeking our hearts to be in the right place before Him, far more than our outward behaviours. Copyright©️2022 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

INTRODUCTION The subject of covenant in the Bible is fascinating. It reveals so much about God’s approach to relationship with His people and about His purposes for His Church. Starting from the very beginning in the Garden of Eden and how God planned progressively to redeem man from his fallen state. We covered briefly these aspects in the first 4 parts of this 6-part series. In this article we begin to explore one of the most fascinating and controversial aspect of God’s covenants. How the Old Testament connects with the New Testament. Now the English word testament is derived from a Greek word meaning covenant. Hence the words testament is synonymous with covenant. But we should not confuse the Old Testament to mean the sum collection of all the covenants before Christ. For the Old Testament is more than that. Similarly, the New Testament is more than just the New Covenant. In this article, we will use the term Old Testament to mean all the biblical writings, which encompass all the covenants before Christ. Similarly, the New Testament in all its writings, which encapsulates the New Covenant. It will be obvious at various points in this article when we are zooming in to focus on the covenants specifically. When we look at both Testaments, they seem so different. God even seems different, especially in the way He dealt with the people. Most people have difficulties reconciling both Testaments. Some believe the New Testament is more important. Some believe the Old Testament is more important. Some try to integrate the Old with the New Testament in some scheme. Some choose which parts of the Old and New that they like. Most simply don’t know what to believe! Some just believe whatever their pastor believes! Some of you may think, “Does it matter what we understand of the Old and New Testament?” It doesn’t if you are not serious about following God. It does if you are serious! Here we will explore some of the key issues and its solution. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT So how are both these testaments related, connected? The New Testament is hidden in the Old Testament. Have you ever tried to seriously understand through parts of the Old Testament? It is almost like the Old Testament is playing a game of charade with us. It is like it is trying to communicate something more, something hidden through a thick veil. We get impressions, see shadows, glimpses of something far more. It is only because we have the New Testament that it occurs to us that there were actions, ideas, symbols and prophecies that seem to have connections to the New Testament. Much of the Old Testament were preparatory for the New Testament. It lays the foundations for the New Testament to be built upon. Much of the Old Testament were preparatory for the New Testament. It lays the foundations for the New Testament to be built upon. It provides a context for the main story of the New Testament to be played out. It is the prequel to the climatic story. It is the entrée before the main meal. The New Testament was already partially there in the Old Testament, just hidden in different ways. Without the Old Testament, the New Testament would have less impact! The Old Testament is unveiled in the New Testament. “The Old Testament is in the New revealed and the New is in the Old concealed” St. Augustine Through the New Testament, the Old Testament makes far more sense. It is like some cryptic codes have finally been unlocked. Like the thick veil has been pushed apart. Light is shining through a heavy fog. Some think, “Since we now have clear revelation in the New Testament, we no longer need the Old Testament.” “The New Covenant is far superior to the Old therefore the Old is now obsolete. Abolished by Jesus on the cross!” Yet that is very flawed thinking and a great misunderstanding of the relationship between the Old and New Testament. Jesus declared in Matthew 5:17–18 (NIV84) 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Jesus did not come to get rid of the Old Testament. He came to fulfil it! He reinforced it by declaring that not a single letter in God’s Law will disappear, until it is fully fulfilled. Jesus did not come to get rid of the Old Testament. He came to fulfil it! He reinforced it by declaring that not a single letter in God’s Law will disappear, until it is fully fulfilled. The Old Testament is so important that it will outlast our earth. God will make sure everything in it will be fulfilled. By the way, not everything prophesied in the Old Testament has been fulfilled yet. There are many other things hinted at in the Old Testament about the Kingdom of God which we don’t adequately understand about yet, let alone understand whether it has been accomplished. Apostle Paul reinforced the importance of every Scripture in both the Old and New. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NIV84) 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Every part of Scripture is important. The stories, narratives, historical portions are no less important than the epistles, the teaching portions. The Old Testament did not fail to be relevant, but the man failed to appreciate its relevance. The Old Testament is just as important as the New. The Old Testament did not fail to be relevant, but the man failed to appreciate its relevance. The Old Testament is just as important as the New. Because both are 2 parts of God’s Word. Jesus is the transforming connection between the Old and New Testaments The have been many attempts, many theories to understand the connection between the Old and New Testaments. I believe the most consistent understanding is this. God is consistent in His eternal principles though the manner of expression changed. The form must be distinguished from the content. The form is temporal while the content, the principle is eternal. In the Old Testament, much of the eternal truths and principles were clothed in certain forms of practices and ceremonies while in the New Testament the eternal principles are mostly unveiled. In the Old Testament, much of the eternal truths and principles were clothed in certain forms of practices and ceremonies while in the New Testament the eternal principles are mostly unveiled. This is not to say that all of the Old Testament is form. Principles were also at times clearly expressed. It is crucial to appreciate the relationship between form and principle. Because sometimes the form is very close to the principle. Traffic rules are a form to express some key principles. The main principle is basically drive safely by driving in an appropriate manner for the context. The rules constrain and guide us on what manner of driving is appropriate for any specific section of the road. Jesus is the key to unlock the connection from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Jesus is the key to unlock the connection from the Old Testament to the New Testament. In 3 key ways: Jesus as a filter. A filter allows certain things to pass through and no other. Jesus crucified meant that He fulfilled certain parts of the Law. All Old Testament animal sacrifices are no longer necessary because Jesus fulfilled it once and for all. Note that Jesus did not abolish them but fulfilled them. Jesus fulfilled the eternal principle of a holy sacrifice, the atonement, as a kinsman-redeemer. Jesus as a lens. A camera lens focusses on an object. Jesus brought certain aspects into a clearer focus. To bring a greater clarity of understanding of its purposes. For example, Jesus brought the 10 commandments into greater clarity when He pointed out the heart of the commandments as simply having an all-consuming love for God and a love for our neighbours equal to our self-love. Jesus refocussed on the eternal principles behind the commandments or rules. Jesus as an elevator. An elevator brings to a higher level. Jesus elevated our understanding to a higher level, setting a higher standard of righteousness. For example, in Matthew 5:28 (NIV84) But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. The epistles build upon these same approaches. By having a clear understanding of how this key is used, and why, will provide us the criteria to unlock further Old Testament practices and its connection to the New Testament The New interprets the Old Testament While the New Testament can better interpret the Old Testament, the Old can inform the New in many areas. The New Testament is intended to interpret the Old Testament, not the other way round. For the New is a clearer revelation of God’s on-going and progressive plan for mankind. While the New Testament can better interpret the Old Testament, the Old can inform the New in many areas. For the elaborate details of the ceremonies or the narratives can give deeper insight into God’s thinking and outworking compared to the New Testament which tends to focus more on the concepts. For example, Isa 7 prophesies of a virgin giving birth to the Messiah, Emmanuel. The Hebrew word could mean either virgin or young woman. Some scholars have hotly debated over this. But the New Testament is very clear that Mary had never lain with anyone before Jesus’ birth. So theologically when we use the New Testament to interpret the Old, we are very clear. If we do it the other way, it can lead to fanciful and wrong interpretations. CONCLUSIONS We showed that both the Testaments are essential together for a complete understanding of God’s purposes. We argued that the key to unlocking how the Old is brought across to the New is through Jesus, as the transforming connection. Jesus is the filter, lens and elevator connecting the Old to the New Testament. In the last article of this series, we will examine specific examples of how the Old practices were transformed into the New. Copyright©️2022 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

INTRODUCTION God has high ideals in His relationships, and this is evidenced by His covenants made with man. In part 3, we began unpacking 4 out of 8 of God’s covenants. Through the Adamic Covenant, God began His redemption purposes and continued building upon it with successive covenants. In Part 3, we concluded on the Abrahamic Covenant. God continues in his meta-narrative to unfold his redemption plan with the remaining covenants. The Book of Exodus opens with Abraham’s descendants, the 12 tribes of Israel were in Egypt. The Israelites were multiplying rapidly, which threatened the new Pharaoh’s ego. So he forced God’s people into slavery. Consequently, the people of Israel cried out to God. God heard them and raised up a deliverer, Moses to be His instrument to deliver them out of slavery in Egypt and to lead them towards the promised land. When they reached the foot of Mt Sinai, God shows up in a big way and entered into a covenant with the nation of Israel. 5. MOSAIC COVENANT The Mosaic Covenant is made specifically with Israel (the Jews). It contains the most number of words and instructions (Exodus 20-40 and Leviticus). Most scholars consider it to contain 3 groupings: The Moral Law – Ten Commandments were written on 2 tablets of stone. The Civil Law – which governs every area of life civically, socially, economically, personally and legally. The Ceremonial Law – which are detailed and explicit set of laws governing sacrifices, priesthood, and providing atonement for sins. Dietary and hygiene laws are generally considered to be part of this. WORDS PROMISES: Similar to Abrahamic Covenant TERMS: Obedience to the Law and all its commandments. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 (NLT) “Look, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! (27) You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today. (28) But you will be cursed if you reject the commands of the LORD your God and turn away from him and worship gods you have not known before. Love. Deuteronomy 6:5-6 (NIV) Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (6) These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Here, God reveals that He is more interested in loving obedience from our hearts. There is an invitation to an intimate relationship with Him, not just obeying the rules and regulations in the Law. BLOOD Elaborate system of continual animal sacrifices to atone for sin and purify from uncleanness, so that the people are acceptable to a righteous and holy God. SEAL Sabbath. Exodus 31:13 (ESV) ‘Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the LORD, sanctify you. What is the Sabbath? The Hebrew “shabbath” means to rest from labour/work. So sabbath means a day of rest which is to be on the 7th day, which is Saturday. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MOSAIC COVENANT God established laws for the people of Israel as a standard of righteousness. Revealing what it means to be “a holy nation, a people who are Set Apart to God”. Inadvertently, the Law also more comprehensively revealed man’s sin. It showed that no one can be justified by the Law and the Law cannot give life. Years ago, I (May) visited a Jewish Synagogue and the Rabbi explained that there are 613 Jewish commandments in the Law (mitzvot) they must fully obey. The Mosaic Covenant is a temporary covenant; intended to be a school master, pointing towards the need for a Messiah (a perfect Saviour). This Covenant finds its perfect fulfilment in Jesus Christ. He was the only Man who ever perfectly kept the law in all its requirements, and thus was considered sinless. Ceremonial Laws and system of animal sacrifices point to the coming Messiah, Christ Who is the perfect, sinless, one-for-all sacrifice that can purify and take away man’s sinfulness (Heb 9,10). Sabbath points to righteousness attained by resting, by trusting in the finished work of Christ. See also article “Sabbath and the Christian” for a fuller discussion. Further, only way we can truly love God with all of our hearts, soul, mind and strength is in Christ. Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NLT) And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. (27) And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. The only conclusion is that our Saviour has to be Jesus Christ! 6. PALESTINIAN COVENANT This covenant was made with the second generation of Israelites out of Egypt, right before Moses died and Israel entering the Promised Land (Deut 29, 30:1-10). This covenant has many similarities with the Mosaic Covenant with the addition of commandments relating to Israel’s possession of the land. Such as every 7th year is to be a year of rest for the land. Thus, it is also called the Land Covenant. In addition, we find Deuteronomy 30:6 (ESV) And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul… Once again, the emphasis on a love relationship with God! But better still, God again gives a glimpse of what is to come in the New Covenant. That it will be God, the Holy Spirit, who will circumcise/change our hearts to love Him. Will we allow the Holy Spirit to circumcise our hearts? To remove the sinful, fleshly, worldly parts, so that we can be awakened more and more to love God more and more? 7. DAVIDIC COVENANT Now we fast forward from Book of Joshua to Samuel. After Israel took possession of the Promised Land and 500 years of judges administering God’s law, God appointed a king after His own heart, named David. David loved the Lord with all of his heart. It is recorded in 2 Samuel 7:12-16 that God made a covenant with David. 2 Samuel 7:12-13 (ESV) …I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. (13) He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. WORDS: PROMISES of blessings: God promises David that He will raise up a Davidic descendant(s) who would: (1) build a House for God (Temple), (2) his Throne and (3) his Kingdom will last forever. This was not just naturally, but pointed ultimately to the everlasting House, Throne and Kingdom of Jesus Christ. This covenant reveals clearly that the Messiah who will come from David’s royal line, is not only a sacrificial lamb seen in the Mosaic Covenant, but He is THE King who rules forever! He will build His House i.e. the Church. And His Kingdom lasts forever! How wonderful it is to be under Jesus’ Kingship! As we submit to His authority, we are citizens of God’s Kingdom. We become people of authority under Christ and anointed to rule the earth. So now we have several clues about God’s Redemption plan for mankind: Adamic Covenant: God will bring forth a Saviour who will crush Satan’s head. Noahic Covenant: God will save and preserve. Abrahamic Covenant: God formed a chosen group of people Israel, through whom will be a blessing to the whole world. Mosaic & Palestinian Covenants: God showed what it means to live set apart for God. However, we cannot do it by our own works. We need a sinless Saviour/Messiah who can truly save us. Also, God desires a love relationship, not religion. Davidic Covenant: The Messiah will be a forever King of His Kingdom. This leads us to the final but best one yet… 8. NEW COVENANT The New Covenant is the culmination of God’s saving work in His people. Jeremiah prophesied about this New Covenant: Jeremiah 31:31-33 (ESV) “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, (32) not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. (33) For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts.” Hence, no longer is the Law and ways of God something we have to follow externally, but our hearts will be changed, or circumcised and there will be a genuine desire to love and follow God from our hearts! Jeremiah 31:33-34 (ESV) And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (34) And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” We shall be the people of God and all who follow God can know God personally. An intermediary is no longer required. The word “know” is a translation of the Hebrew word “yadah” which means an intimate relationship, not an intellectual one. God also declares that our sins and wickedness will be completely forgiven once and for all! That is a huge step because in the Old Testament every sin had to be atoned for, every time, through the burnt offerings. The New Testament declares that all of God’s new covenantal promises are realised in and through Jesus! Luke 22:19-20 (ESV) And He took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” (20) And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. That’s why the Old Testament is also called the Old Covenant; New Testament is also called the New Covenant. All the previous covenants from Adam to David, all the promises and more is fulfilled in the New Covenant. And it abolishes the temporal elements of the previous covenants. Thus some elements such as animal sacrifices are no longer needed, instead revealing their eternal elements. WORDS PROMISES OF BLESSING The promise of salvation includes all of the following: We receive forgiveness of sin We are justified (considered righteous before a holy and perfect God) We are a new creation, the old is gone. We have a new heart and a new spirit to love God and walk in His ways. We are adopted as sons and daughters of God. We have eternal life. We have a heavenly inheritance. We have victory over sin. We are anointed. We are blessed to be a blessing. We enter into a personal relationship with God. CURSES: Those who reject the gift of salvation are left in slavery to sin, will face spiritual death, eternal separation from God (i.e. Hell). TERMS: It requires repentance, faith in Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord, as well as to obey Him. What is repentance? It is turning away from our old ways, our sinful, self-focussed ways. What is Faith in Jesus Christ? It is trusting our whole life in Jesus Christ to save us, and to follow, obey and love Him whole-heartedly. BLOOD The once for all sacrifice of Jesus at the cross of Calvary. SEAL The indwelling Holy Spirit in every believer. Ephesians 1:13 (ESV) …when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, Unless the Holy Spirit indwells us, we cannot be saved. Because without the seal, the New Covenant cannot be operative. Rejoice that God lives in us! All the seals of the previous Old Covenants were objects, impersonal. But the seal of the New Covenant is God’s Spirit! SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NEW COVENANT When we repent and have faith in Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we enter into this New Covenant with God. This covenant is about a personal and eternal relationship with God. This invitation is for all! Doesn’t it blow your mind? That the awesome, holy and perfect God, would love us (though imperfect and weak humans) so much to desire to have a relationship with us for eternity. HOW ALL THE COVENANTS TIE TOGETHER The Edenic Covenant revealed God’s great purpose for mankind, His people. That is to bear God’s image (character), be fruitful, and rule the earth in a relationship with God. The Fall resulted in a broken covenantal relationship and sin enter the world. God put in place an incredible plan, spanning over 2000 years, to redeem man back to the original purpose. This involved 7 key covenantal steps. Climaxing in the New Covenant with Jesus Christ, who is the Bridge to restore man’s covenantal relationship back with God and His original purpose. In conclusion, the Covenants are the greatest manifestations of God’s love, grace and mercy to a fallen humankind. Copyright©️2022 by May Burrell & Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

INTRODUCTION We live in a world of diluted commitments. Yet we worship a God with high ideals of commitment. We live in a world of diluted commitments. Yet we worship a God with high ideals of commitment. Through God’s covenants we discover what is the ideal manner that God desires to relate with His people and us with Him. Also between us with one another in His Church. Further, understanding God’s Covenant is the key to understanding the entire meta-narrative of God’s purposes and ultimate will for His people. To help us on that journey, we will unpack some key aspects of 8 key covenants God made with man in the Bible. This 2-part article is parts 3 and 4 of a 6-part series of articles on Covenants In The Bible. Part 1 addresses Its Purposes while Part 2 examines Why God Covenants With Us. It is crucial for us to understand that God requires 3 elements/components for a covenant to be fully established: Words of the Covenant – These are promises of blessings and/or curses (what God does), and the terms of agreement (what man needs to do to remain in covenant) Blood/sacrifice of the Covenant – this rectifies the covenant as valid. It is like the payment we make to buy a house. The payment to make God’s covenant valid has to involve the shedding of blood, a sacrifice. This is because of the sacredness of the covenant vows. For example, Jesus had to sacrifice Himself to make the New Covenant valid. Seal of the Covenant – this is the ongoing tangible sign to the authenticity of the covenant. It serves as a constant reminder that the covenant is in operation. In modern day terms it is like the wedding ring that married couple’s wear. It is also described as the sign or token of the covenant. Without all the 3 requirements, a covenant is not seen to be established or maintained. This is particularly relevant in covenants where man had to fulfil God’s terms or had to have the sign of the covenant upon the person (such as circumcision as required by the Mosaic Covenant). These requirements are quite common even today. For example, if you were to sign up for a 24-month plan to a new smartphone and service, a contract is required (Words), payments including downpayment and on-going payments are required (Blood/Sacrifice) as your signature to the contract (Seal). 1. EDENIC COVENANT The first covenant God made with man is the Edenic Covenant. Genesis 1 and 2 not only record the creation of the heavens and earth but also some of the reasons why God made them. Genesis 1 described God, the wise master-builder, creating over 5 days the sky, sea, land; the sun, moon, stars; the vegetation and animals. On Day 6, God created man who is the focal point of His 6 days of creation. All of God’s purposes were to centre on him. God then initiated the first covenant with man in the Garden of Eden. This shows God’s desire and purpose for man to be in covenantal relationship with Himself. For there could be no relationship with God apart from covenant. Genesis 1:27-29 (ESV) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (28) And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (29) And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. WORD PROMISES OF BLESSINGS: God promised that man would have fruitfulness, authority over all living creatures and provision for food. TERMS: Obedience. God put 2 trees in the Garden of Eden. The “tree of life” and “tree of knowledge of good and evil” (Gen 2:9). God put one condition for man, to not eat from the “tree of knowledge of good and evil” (Gen 2:16-17). If he does, there will be the curse of death. From the very beginning God created man with free will, he has the choice to obey. BLOOD God cut open Adam’s side and took his rib (a part of his body) from which God built Adam’s bride, Eve (Gen 2:21-22). Thus, Eve was to be Adam’s co-worker, sharing in the covenant. SEAL The seal is the Tree of Life. So, when Adam and Eve broke the terms of the covenant, God’s judgment was to withhold this tree from man (Gen 3:22-24). The final witness to man’s full redemption and being restored back to full covenantal relationship was access back to the Tree of Life as revealed in the Book of Revelations (Rev 22:2)! SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EDENIC COVENANT God’s original plan and purpose for mankind was to bear God’s image, to be fruitful and multiply across the earth and to rule/govern the earth wisely on God’s behalf. It reveals God’s original plan and purpose for mankind was to bear God’s image, to be fruitful and multiply across the earth and to rule/govern the earth wisely on God’s behalf. Aren’t this essentially what God desires His Church to do today? To bear God’s image, to shine His glory, for the world to see God’s love, kindness, goodness etc character through us? To be fruitful and extend God’s good Kingdom across the world? To influence every sphere of society in God’s ways? This covenant is the only covenant made with man before the entrance of sin. It declared God’s purpose for man (i.e. us) which includes covenantal relationship, character, fruitfulness, dominion and eternal life upon continued obedience and faith. But man’s commitment to the terms of this covenant was tested. Satan tempted Adam and Eve to break the covenantal relationship. They ate from the “tree of knowledge of good and evil”, resulting in sin entering the world. Man’s character was corrupted, his dominion lost, and he and his offspring came under the dominion of sin and death. This sets the stage for the next covenant, the Adamic Covenant, where God came in grace to fallen man, seeking to restore him back to covenantal relationship. 2. ADAMIC COVENANT This Adamic covenant is the beginning of the covenants for the redemption of man. This Adamic covenant is the beginning of the covenants for the redemption of man. Genesis 3:15 (ESV) The LORD God said to the serpent, “… (15) I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” The woman’s offspring refers to Jesus. It means that Satan will inflict minor damage on Jesus, but Jesus will crush Satan’s head. WORD PROMISE OF VICTORY: God promised victory over Satan, symbolised by man’s offspring “crushing” (NIV) the serpent’s head (Gen 3:15). BLOOD After Adam & Eve fell from covenantal relationship, they used man-made fig-leaf coverings to cover their sin and shame (Gen 3:7). However, in Genesis 3:21 God then made garments from animal skin and clothed them. This would have necessitated killing/sacrificing an innocent animal to provide the skin garment. Can you see the parallel here of how God was intending to redeem mankind back to the covenantal relationship with Him? By covering (which symbolises righteousness) that was God-made rather than Man-made. The sacrifice involved an innocent for the guilty. This foreshadowed what Christ would later do. SEAL These were the garments of skin as Adam & Eve would have to accept and wear the clothing as an act of faith in God. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ADAMIC COVENANT The first promise in the redemption of man is that we will have ultimate victory over Satan, the enemy who seeks to break our covenantal relationship with God. Just as Jesus defeated Satan, we too have victory over Satan when we are in covenantal relationship with God. Satan may try to strike our heels, but remember, God will crush him under our feet! It states in Romans 16:20 (ESV) The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. So don’t be fearful. Have courage! Stand firm in Christ! God has given us the power to be victorious and to overcome. Unfortunately, even though God made such a wonderful promise, man did not walk in faith with God. In fact, Adam and his descendants continued walking in sin, further and further away from God, until Genesis 6:5 (ESV) The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. God was grieved by the extent of wickedness and sends a destroying flood upon the earth as judgment. But by the grace of God, God rescued a remnant. A righteous man Noah, his family and the animals and birds. For God told Noah to build an Ark of safety to preserve them. After the Flood, when Noah exited the Ark, God made a covenant with him, known as the Noahic Covenant. 3. NOAHIC COVENANT Genesis 9:8–17 (ESV) 8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9 “Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth. 11 I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13 I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.” WORDS PROMISES OF BLESSINGS: The promises of the Noahic covenant reiterated God’s purpose for mankind to be fruitful, multiply and rule over the earth as declared in the Edenic covenant. God also promised preservation, whereby the earth will never again be destroyed by Flood, not matter how wicked the human race becomes. God also promised preservation, whereby the earth will never again be destroyed by Flood, not matter how wicked the human race becomes. Though the Book of Revelations reveal there will be a judgement by Fire. BLOOD Burnt offerings were made by Noah (Gen 8:20-21). SEAL Rainbow as a sign forever (Gen 9:12-17). But it’s not much longer that man would soon turn back to sin. This downward spiral of rebellion peaked at the building of Tower of Babel to reach unto heaven. There humans tried to overthrow God’s authority and establish a new world order to exalt themselves above God. So God confused their languages and scattered them over the earth into various nations. We are left to wonder: how in the world will humanity be saved? Then, in a stunning act of grace, God chose one man, and called him and his descendants into a covenantal relationship, through whom to begin a new chosen nation for God. This man was Abraham. 4. ABRAHAMIC COVENANT Genesis 12:1-3 (ESV) Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. (2) And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. (3) I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonours you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” God’s covenant with Abraham was made over a period of time. It is further expanded upon and more details given in Genesis 15 and 17. WORDS PROMISES OF BLESSINGS: God promised 3 things: Firstly, possession of land (v1). Secondly, multitudes of descendants (v2). There will “as many as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore”. Thirdly, blessings to Abraham and to others through him (v2-3). And in it, the most significant promise is the Messianic Blessing that through Abraham, “all peoples on earth will be blessed”. TERMS: There are a number of terms involved. Firstly obedience, such as to leave his native country. Secondly, exercise of faith to trust God. Thirdly, circumcision of all males. Genesis 17:10 (ESV) This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. BLOOD There were 5 animal sacrificial offerings prepared by Abraham (Gen 15:9) as part of the process of enacting the covenant. Again, in Gen 22 when God instructed Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. By faith, Abraham obeyed, but God intervened by providing a ram as a substitute sacrifice (Gen 22). Does this remind you of Someone? SEAL Circumcision of all male. In other words, circumcision was both a covenantal term and sign. Genesis 17:11 (ESV) You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT The Abrahamic Covenant is an unconditional and everlasting covenant. The Abrahamic Covenant is an unconditional and everlasting covenant. It is the most comprehensive covenant in the sense that it includes within itself all the previous and subsequent covenants. Its ultimate fulfilment is in the New Covenant through Christ and His Church. Its ultimate fulfilment is in the New Covenant through Christ and His Church. It contains the joint blessing of the Messiah and being blessed to be a blessing. As Christ-followers, we are called children of Abraham by faith. Thus, in the same way, we are blessed to be a blessing to others, to our world. The rest of the covenants will be discussed in Part 4. Copyright©️2022 by May Burrell & Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

INTRODUCTION Why does God invest so much into making covenants with us? Why should we take the time to understand then? In Part 1, I mentioned that God chose to covenant with men to provide assurance, certainty and security in our relationship with Him. Particularly since God is superior in every way, it is incredible that He graciously chose to give us certainty by making such promises. There are also other major reasons why God made covenants with us. Reasons which make it crucial that we understand the purposes of His covenants. In the following are unpacked some of these. TO DEMONSTRATE GOD’S FAITHFULNESS AND TRUSTWORTHINESS. Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV84) Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. God always keep His part of the covenant. He keeps His promises to all the generations. God always keep His part of the covenant. He keeps His promises to all the generations. God is not capricious. God does not change the relationship according to His mood. God does not change the terms from one generation to another. Leviticus 26:45 (NIV84) But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. I am the Lord. Making and keeping covenants with His people proves to us that God is faithful and trustworthy. TO REVEAL GOD’S MIND AND PURPOSES TO MAN Every God-covenant encapsulates some powerful truths. It applies some crucial eternal principles. Every God-covenant encapsulates some powerful truths. It applies some crucial eternal principles. But its expression can change in different time periods. Like between the Old Testament and New Testament. For example, circumcision in Old Testament is removing the flesh from males. But in New Testament it is about the heart. Romans 2:28–29 (NIV84) 28 A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Physical circumcision conveys the principle of removing the flesh of our hearts graphically and symbolically. Our fleshly self-reliance is to be removed so we are left totally relying upon God. Just as circumcision of the flesh is physically done by someone else, the circumcision of the heart is done by someone else, the Holy Spirit. Different expression, same eternal principle. The failure to realise that God’s eternal principle remains unchanged leads to theological mistakes. The failure to realise that God’s eternal principle remains unchanged leads to theological mistakes. For some teach that dispensations, or administrations of God changed from the Old Testament to the New Testament as if they were unrelated. Without recognising the connection through principles. For example, some teach that God saves the Jews through one covenant and the church through another covenant. That the Jews are only saved through observing the Mosaic Laws and Gentiles are saved through Jesus Christ. The eternal principle is that all are saved through God’s grace But the eternal principle is that all are saved through God’s grace. God provided the means of salvation requiring our faith response, trusting only in God’s provision. Whether it be through observing the Mosaic Laws in Old Testament but now only through Jesus Christ. So the covenants are different but the eternal principle is the same. Let me throw a theological dynamite to the thinkers in our midst. Salvation through Jesus Christ is not the eternal principle. Salvation through Jesus Christ is the means. God could have chosen any means. Could be an angel, God the Father or even Holy Spirit. For the principle is always that salvation is by God’s grace for no person could ever earn salvation. But I do believe that Jesus is the ultimate means because it requires the ultimate sacrifice of God’s Son. If you carefully study each covenant, you will discover the eternal truths behind it. Because God also used it to reveal His thinking and His purposes. TO FULFIL GOD'S OVER-ARCHING PURPOSE FOR MAN God has an over-arching aim for man. To have a holy love relationship with man. God has an over-arching aim for man. To have a holy love relationship with man. Matthew 22:37–38 (NIV84) 37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. It is a two-way love relationship that God seeks. A relationship that climaxes with the marriage of Christ and the Church made holy. It is a two-way love relationship that God seeks. A relationship that climaxes with the marriage of Christ and the Church made holy. Ephesians 5:25–27 (NIV84) 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. Rev 21 reveals the Church, arriving as a Bride prepared for her husband, Christ. What a beautiful imagery! But to have such a wonderful loving relationship requires man to have the ability to choose to freely love. True love absolutely requires free will to make such choices. Love that is enforced, coerced, manipulated, programmed or ordained by God – is not true love. That is one of the reasons why I believe God gave men freewill. It also makes best sense of all the Scriptures. However, we all know that man fell in sin back in the Garden of Eden. Because the ability to freely choose can also mean making bad choices, sinful choices. Every one of us have experienced that. Hence, man’s relationship with God was broken by sin. Yet God is determined to restore that loving holy relationship and even bring to its ultimate level of heavenly marriage. Every covenant God has made is intended as another step to reach this fulfilment of a committed, holy loving relationship. Every covenant has key relational components. Firstly, faith, is about trusting God. Secondly, obedience. This is why every covenant has key relational components. Firstly, faith, is about trusting God. Secondly, obedience. These are foundational for us to walk with God. Such that we allow God to transform our hearts experientially from sinfulness into holy maturity. To be more Christ-like. That the Church may be prepared for its ultimate relationship of marriage. TO ENABLE MAN TO FULFIL HIS ROLE IN GOD'S PLANS God covenants with man to increase his faith, enlarge his vision and increase motivation to walk in God’s purposes. God wants to bring us along His great redemptive plan to reach His great ultimate purposes for us. God covenants with man to increase his faith, enlarge his vision and increase motivation to walk in God’s purposes. For example, God enlarged Abraham’s vision for his descendants and inspired his faith at the same time. Genesis 15:4–5 (NIV84) 4 Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” God challenged Abraham to leave his household and follow God’s leading. Genesis 12:1–3 (NIV84) 1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Today, God still wants to increase our faith, enlarge our vision and increase our motivation to walk in God’s purposes. This will happen when we seek to understand His covenant with us. We can understand God’s covenants and its implication for ourselves from God’s Word. Part of the New Covenant is the Great Commission. Go and make disciples of every nation of the world! God will fulfil it! We are to go! To win souls! To make disciples! To build churches, to plant churches in every nation! When I was a young Christian, I used to think that the Great Commission was only for the pastor, evangelist, apostle, and so forth. But eventually I realised that it is for every Christ-follower! Because it is part of the covenantal promise of God. CONCLUSIONS God is a covenant making God. Through God’s covenants, we experience His faithfulness and trustworthiness. It also provides us insights into God’s perspectives and purposes for His people. God’s covenants are a key instrument through which God will fulfil His purposes for man as well as enable His people to walk in it. For that reason, we must understand and value His covenants with us. Copyright©️2022 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

INTRODUCTION Why does the Bible talk about covenants so much? Why did it seem like such an important matter? To God and to the apostles? Should it be important to me today since most of it seems to be related to the Old Testament? Covenant is a critical concept in the Bible yet not many have understood nor appreciated its importance to God. Understanding God’s covenants helps us understand how God wants to relate with us and how we ought to relate with Him. It also helps us understand how we should relate with one another in the Church. God has special plans for His Church. But for that to come to pass, we need to relate with God and His people in God’s way. In this 6-part Covenant series we will seek to unfold key concepts about God’s covenant between Him and man. In this article we will examine its significance and briefly look at the different categories of covenants. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF GOD’S COVENANT What it means to covenant with God Covenant describes formal types of relationship. How various parties relate to one another. Covenant describes formal types of relationship. How various parties relate to one another. In the secular world, the term covenant is used to describe a legal agreement between parties. But what does it mean in the Bible? The New Testament Greek words used brings out some of the nuance. The Greek Suntithemi means to put together, to make arrangements. It refers to covenants between man, but never with God. While the Greek Diatheke is used for legal testaments, wills. It is a formal expression of one person's will. It does not refer to a negotiated agreement reached between 2 parties. Like a person’s last will and testament. You cannot change it. It is often applied to a contract made by a superior to another. Such as between God and men. A contract that cannot change. It is either accepted or rejected. Sometimes it is one party only as God obligates Himself, not requiring man's response. A Bible covenant refers to a relationship contract where God sets out the terms and conditions on how the relationship will function. God offers it to man. We either accept or reject it. Hence, a Bible covenant refers to a relationship contract where God sets out the terms and conditions on how the relationship will function. God offers it to man. We either accept or reject it. For example, if we want to become a citizen or permanent resident in Australia, we must agree to its laws, its terms. We cannot negotiate with the government the terms for us to become a citizen or permanent resident, saying “I like to negotiate a better tax rate. I like to negotiate better voting rights for myself. On condition you give me a seat in the senate.” It is non-negotiable. What it means to relate covenantally with God There can be no relationship with God outside of covenant. No covenant, no relationship. God’s covenant provides certainty, assurances and security in the relationship. It is crucial to understand this. There can be no relationship with God outside of covenant. No covenant, no relationship. God’s covenant provides certainty, assurances and security in the relationship. Consider this. Because God is the superior in every way, it would be easy for God to make the relationship advantageous to Him. He could change the terms of relationship in an ad hoc manner to suit His whims. In the 1980 Star Wars movie, The Empire Strikes Back, the evil and powerful Darth Vader forced a deal with Lando Calrissian to capture and use Han Solo and friends to get to Luke Skywalker. But Darth Vader kept changing the terms to his own advantage. After the second change, Lando was very upset: “You said they'd be left at the city under my supervision!” Darth Vader threatened: “I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further.” God does not do that to us, ever. A covenant is brought into effect once the terms, sacrifice and seal are in place. Every time God chooses to have a relationship with man, it is always within the context of a covenant. It started with Adam and Eve in Eden. And it continued through Noah, Abraham, Moses until us today. Every time, the terms of covenant is given by God and offered with a sacrificial act, usually the cost of a life. Man then has to accept and the covenant marked with a seal or a sign is given. A covenant is brought into effect once the terms, sacrifice and seal are in place. Those who are not offered God’s covenant, or reject His covenant are effectively not in formal relationship with God. That is why God commanded Abraham in Genesis 17:14 (NIV84) “Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.” Those who accept Christ as Saviour, effectively also accept God’s covenant. That is why those who accept Christ as Saviour, effectively also accept God’s covenant. This covenant requires us to put our trust in Christ to be our Saviour and Lord. To follow Him for the rest of our lives. Again, here we have the 3 elements. The terms of the covenant, the sacrifice which is Jesus crucified at the cross, and finally the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts. He is the seal. Once all 3 are in place, the covenant is operative. God’s covenantal promises and blessings is now applied to us. The amazing thing is this! God who is Almighty had no obligation to bind Himself to us. But He did with covenants! It is a demonstration of His faithfulness and love. What covenantal relationships mean within the church We are to covenant with God vertically and covenant with His Body horizontally. Just as God relates to us through the lenses of covenant, He expects us to relate to the rest of the Church, through covenant. In other words, we are to covenant with God vertically and covenant with His Body horizontally. Unfortunately, the Church has largely failed to understand God’s expectations of covenant. Consequently, failed to live in covenant relationship with one another and the local church. So when people have differences, conflicts or offense, they leave the church. Instead of responding covenantally. Instead of working through the issue because we are committed to each other. Our inadequate appreciation of covenant weakens the Church. Our inadequate appreciation of covenant weakens the Church. The bond, the connection of relationship that were meant to be unbreakable, breaks all too easily. The church is meant to be a family, special because of the covenantal bond. That is why we use the words brethren, or brothers and sisters. It is not some old tradition. It is meant to convey something special about our relationship with one another. Weaken the covenant and weaken the family. Many Christians treat the church more like a club than a family. Because they don’t understand covenant. They think that a club no longer meet their needs, so time to change club. A husband may express a decision to his wife. “Honey, the church is no longer doing the music we like, let’s change church.” “Honey, I was so offended by Johnny today at church. Let’s leave!” “Honey, I have changed my taste on the type of sermons I want to hear. I realise that the pastor doesn’t preach the way I prefer. Let’s leave!” But you don’t do that to family. If we are to build the Church God's way. We need to understand about covenant and live it out with God’s grace. If a church is to be biblical, it must teach about covenant and be committed to living it out. TYPES OF COVENANTS There are differences in the nature of God’s covenants. Conditional and unconditional covenants In real estate, there are conditional and unconditional contracts. When you buy a property, you could sign an unconditional contract which means you are buying no matter what happens. Conditional contract could have conditions such as success in getting a bank loan, the property passes professional house inspection, etc. God’s covenants may be categorised as conditional or unconditional depending on whether the fulfilment of the covenant require certain conditions. The New Covenant is conditional on man’s response. It requires man to repent, have faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and obey Him. Christ is Saviour to all who continue to obey Him Conditional covenants require man to fulfill certain conditions. Usually, faith and obedience in certain ways. These covenants can be broken by man’s disobedience. The Mosaic covenant is conditional. The New Covenant is conditional on man’s response. It requires man to repent, have faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and obey Him. Christ is Saviour to all who continue to obey Him, in Hebrews 5:9 (NIV84) once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. As Man can accept the New Covenant. Man can break the covenant. Just as it is possible for man to accept the New Covenant, it is possible for some to reject God, fall away from Him because they intentionally break the covenant terms. This is also known as apostasy. As Man can accept the New Covenant. Man can break the covenant. God is always consistent. If God gives man choice to accept the New Covenant, then God also allows man to break the terms of the covenant. For God will not force anyone to enter into the New Covenant with God. Neither will God force anyone to remain in the covenant with Him. Just like a marriage covenant. “Honey, I chose to marry you. Now I choose to unmarry you!” Unconditional covenants where God obligates Himself to fulfil regardless of man’s response. There are also unconditional covenants where God obligates Himself to fulfil regardless of man’s response. There is no “if”. Instead, there is “I will” without any conditions attached. The Abrahamic covenant and Davidic covenants are examples of these. Genesis 22:17–18 (NIV84) 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” 2 Samuel 7:12–16 (NIV84) 12 When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son… 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’ ” Of course, this is a Messianic promise. Temporal and everlasting covenants An everlasting covenant means it will apply for all time, forever. An everlasting covenant means it will apply for all time, forever. However, some elements within these covenants do not last forever because of their temporal nature. Whether it be in the promise, sacrifice or seal. For example, the Abrahamic covenant is spoken as an “everlasting covenant”. But the seal of physical circumcision was not the everlasting component. Only the internal and spiritual reality involving the circumcision of the heart remains forever. The temporal element was fulfilled and abolished at the cross. Temporal covenants are only meant to apply for a limited time. These are not permanent. For example, the Mosaic covenant. The writer of Hebrew contrasted the New Covenant with the Mosaic covenant in Hebrews 8:13 (NIV84) By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear. We will elaborate more on these in later articles in this series. CONCLUSIONS God relates through covenants with His people. By doing so, God gives us certainty about the nature and scope of the relationships. By understanding the principles in it gives us appreciation on how we should relate to God and also with one another in a more biblical fashion. Copyright©️2022 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

(Extract from chapter 7; Your Faith Determines Your Future: Lifting The Limits Off Your Life) Dr Brendan Kirby Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. —2 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV You can do great things. Your potential may be unrealized at the moment, but a latent seed can still grow and produce much fruit! Your potential may be unrealized at the moment, but a latent seed can still grow and produce much fruit! In August 1989 I started work as a Research Scientist for the CSIRO Division of Wool Technology in Geelong. After 12 months instead of making my position permanent (as previously promised two times by my boss) I was placed on extended probation in order to assess my work further. Being under probation was a great shock to my system - especially when I had been assured, I’d be made a permanent staff member. This was a very stressful time - and I worked as hard as I could to redeem myself in my superiors’ eyes - struggling to make a research discovery ASAP. One of the experimental scientists I was working with noted that my recent experimental results were of a good quality. I began to believe I could make it back. After another three months my superiors unofficially sacked me. (The official letter had not yet been signed off). It was a devastating blow. After ten years at university it was now all to no avail. I wondered if my life would ever recover. My reputation would be shattered. I had three months employment remaining – my research leader did not care if I came to work or stayed at home for that duration. After praying to God for my work that night with David Bernard who was the leader of the Bible study fellowship that I was attending, and with other church friends in Williamstown I received fresh courage. I arrived the next morning to work at 8am much to the chagrin of my boss, determined to overturn this decision. For the next three months I worked as if my life depended upon it – and I prayed like I had never prayed before, drawing upon all the trust and faith in God that I could. During this time the assistant chief of division invited me into his office and recommended that I resign because it would smooth things out – they would not have to sack me and I would not have that “blot” on my record – but I would have to admit that I could not cope with textile research. I felt like I was in the middle of the plot of a Hollywood drama – except my life really was at stake! I rejected the “kind” offer of the assistant chief and he reconciled himself with having at least tried to help me. I was even more determined to show that I could succeed in this work – not knowing what lay ahead. But I prayed and worked – knowing in my heart that somehow God would work things out. Towards the end of those three months my determination to “save my future” eventually paid off into my being given a three year research fellowship. This was one of the biggest miracles of my life. Subsequent to this God-given deliverance my three line managers still conspired against me by assigning public staff presentations to me they were confident I would do badly in. Those next three years were some of the most intense in my life! But I held on to the belief that God would give myself and Nick Sokolov (the eccentric but brilliant engineer from Footscray) excellent results in our worsted rectilinear combing research project (Dan. 2:21,22). After another two years or so we were actually leading the world in combing production rate research. This remarkable turnaround of events stunned our division, and our research presentations solicited huge interest. Some of the mathematics that was derived during this work was later published in one of the world’s leading textile research journals (J.T.I. 95 (2004) 261). This publication established the results on credible international grounds. God came through and changed my future because I chose to believe and fought for my job, my self-esteem and my faith. It was very difficult, it was extremely stressful, but with God all things were possible. No matter how defeated you may feel today, despite the rejection and negative words you may have experienced, you can still arise out of your ashes and achieve victory in your life with God’s help. You can still arise out of your ashes and achieve victory in your life with God’s help. Don’t give up. Fight for your future. Fight for your faith. Keep wrestling against your common enemies of fear, anxiety, confusion, doubt, unbelief, sin and self-centredness! Fight for your future. Fight for your faith. Keep wrestling against your common enemies of fear, anxiety, confusion, doubt, unbelief, sin and self-centredness! Copyright©️2021 by Brendan Kirby. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.