The New Covenant Experience: A Spiritual Sacrifice

by Dionne Sabbay Thompson August 8th, 2008

"But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification" (Romans 4:24,25).

Galatians 4 has examined the two covenants, one of faith the other of carnality, proving that a NEW COVENANT EXPERIENCE is not dispensational; it's based on conditions of the heart. Galatians 4:21 - 31, illustrates that because of disobedience without Christ’s righteousness, there will be no deliverance for the seed of bondage.

Within Genesis 15:6 we can identify God's promise to Abraham and his seed, thus our belief in Christ is counted for righteousness. Without complication, our disbelief in God's promises relate to our burdens and works of flesh. Abraham was brought back into a New Covenant Experience, as evidenced by Genesis 17. Abraham's name was changed, through righteousness, as he became a father of many nations.

Abraham believing Sarah, thus disbelieving the Word of God, lost his New Covenant Experience, resulting in an Old Covenant Experience. Genesis 17:17, Abraham and Sarah's solution to their problem was not acceptable to God. God will do things his Way, ONLY. God, communicated to Abraham, as he communicates with many of us today. God will have nothing to do with an Old Covenant Experience. The Lord ignores the Old Covenant and pleads for us to function in a New Covenant Experience, acting righteously by Faith. Our righteousness is as filthy as rags (Isaiah 64:6). It is only through our faith that we can PLEASE GOD (Hebrews 11:6). God promised Abraham and Sarah a son, Isaac, establishing a covenant with them.

The Word was spoken and fulfilled with the birth of Isaac a child, as a result of Abraham's heart condition, not a dispensation. Genesis 18:13-14, asks "is anything hard for the Lord...". We as believers, doubting a New Covenant Experience; will fail if we do not believe that God can accomplish things in our lives. By studying the WORD and believing, we can learn that NOTHING is too difficult for the LORD. Genesis 21 exhibits the child of Promise being Born, Isaac. Thus, we must stand on God's promises as did Abraham, embracing a New Covenant Experience.

Abraham and Sarah's faith weakening illustrated the need to be brought back, manifesting God's promises in the WORD, RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH. Genesis 22, illustrates that Abraham was truly an example of a man, Righteous by faith, following the directives of God. This test of faith emerged because Abraham doubted the ways of God. This test, found in Genesis 22 was necessary to bring Abraham back to his New Covenant Experience. The first test involved the production of a son in their old age. The Power of God's Word was received and a child was produced. The second test involved Abraham's directive to "cut off" the birth-line, a test of his righteousness. This test came upon Abraham because of his failing faith from the very beginning. Such a test was presented to him, as the heavenly beings watched, saddened by his lack of dependence on God; a lack of trust.

Abraham was brought back by the WORD, strengthening his faith through God's test of cutting off his spiritual birth-line. A man of faith, knowing that God had blessed him with Isaac, knew also that his only son could be raised up from the dead. Consequently, Abraham's faith grew, believing in the Lord, entrusting that if he sacrificed his only son; God would bring Isaac back from the dead.

We too spiritually, can be brought back from the dead after losing our New Covenant Experience. Genesis 22:18 illustrates that the seed which Abraham was promised brought us to CHRIST. Galatians 3:8 examines the ongoing subject of RIGHTEOUSNESS by Faith. The birth of Isaac led us to the bloodline of Christ. The LORD had to wait for Abraham to reach the point of FAITH after which, Isaac was born. Genesis 22:18 and Galatians 3:9 illustrate that we become children of the promise through the seed of CHRIST. The Word and Christ's gift of righteousness is available for us today, allowing us to learn from the mistakes of Abraham.

Abraham saw God by faith when he saw what He could provide only through FAITH. John 8:39 illustrates the DIVINE character of Christ. All Ten Commandments must be KEPT within this NEW COVENANT EXPERIENCE, as God's HOLY finger written laws exemplify His unchanging Character (Exodus 31:18):

"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 12:17).

If we are not children of Christ then we are children of Satan, there is no middle ground (Matthew 13:38, 1 John 3:8-9). Laodicean conditions are not acceptable in the sight of God (Revelation 3:14, 15). John 8:54-56 exemplifies that Abraham saw Christ by faith when he was told to offer up his only son, Isaac, leading into the completion of our redemption plan. Abraham was shown God's plan and purpose in offering his only son Isaac, manifesting RIGHTEOUSNESS by Faith. Similarly, spiritually, we will be tested through various sacrifices in our own lives. However, we can be faithful, rejoicing that Christ was born, lived righteously without spot or blemish, fulfilling it all at the cross; providing us a gift of Righteousness (John 19:30, Ephesians 2:8-10, Philippians 3:9-11):

We must trust God and Believe, receiving His promises through COMPLETE FAITH.