3 Characteristics of the New Covenant

The following is an excerpt from my book Abiding in the Vine that shares three characteristics of the New Covenant in Christ.

What does it mean to be a New Testament Christian? Often times the term New Testament is used to describe a church that is patterned after the book of Acts or a Christian who believes in the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit for today. But did you know that the word testament simply means covenant? Therefore, a New Testament Christian is simply a believer who is walking in the reality of the New Covenant.

The Old Covenant was based on obedience to the Law while the New Covenant is based on the sacrifice of Jesus, His body broken and His blood poured out for us. Hebrews 8, quoting from Jeremiah 31, outlines the basic principles of the New Covenant:

Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the LORD. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. (Hebrews 8:8-13)

I see three main facets of the New Covenant from the above passage.

1.) Internal Transformation

Verse 10 says, “I will put my laws in their mind and write them on their hearts.” Under the Old Covenant you could obey the outward laws without being changed at the heart level. The Law does not have the power to change us; it only exposes the sin in our lives, leaving us condemned. Under the New Covenant we are transformed on the inside and truly desire to walk in the ways of God.

2.) Relationship with God

Consider verse 11: “For all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.” Under the Old Covenant only the priests and a select few others could approach God. Now, because of the blood of Jesus, all believers can enter into the presence of the living God and know Him personally. This is an amazing fact and we should not take it for granted.

3.) Total Forgiveness

Verse 12 says, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” In the Old Covenant there had to be continual sacrifices for sin. But Jesus died once for all to wipe away every sin, and the moment we place our faith in Him, we are totally forgiven. This is the power of the New Covenant, and it is all because of the finished work of Jesus on the cross.

I want to walk as a true New Testament Christian; that is, someone who is changed on the inside and truly desires to obey God, someone who knows God personally and has intimacy with Him, and someone who walks in the amazing liberty of total forgiveness. Let’s believe that Jesus has paid the full price and live as New Testament Christians.

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Abiding in the Vine is a collection of 40 devotional writings that are meant to feed your spirit and draw you closer to God. Rich with the Word of God and insights into the Spirit-filled life, each reflection will bring understanding and encouragement, as well as challenge you to go deeper in your walk with Christ.