The New Covenant in Blood (Part 1)

( A re-post of this teaching concept of the New Covenant)

The concept of the Blood Covenant is one in which the two parties agree unto the death to share ALL things and bear ALL things in common, to not withhold anything from the other. We have entered into one of the most sacred of all covenants when we ask Jesus to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We accept His life- blood payment for our sins and in turn exchange our old life and self-will. This covenant is what would be considered a new type of blood covenant with Jesus. [Why is it called new? The New Testament uses two different Greek words for "new": Neos means new in contrast to old. Kainos means "new" in the sense of "unique". Hebrews 12:24, which identifies Jesus Christ as the mediator of the new covenant, is the only scripture where neos is used in reference to the new covenant. Every other passage uses kainos. So the "new covenant" is unique.] *

1 Corinthians 11:25 says: In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” Although the establishment of the covenant by Christ is called the New Covenant, this concept was the same one established by faith, in which Abraham offered up his only son Issac (over 20 years old), upon Mt. Moriah. We have always wondered why Abraham would so freely and quickly agree to do such a thing, because he understood the blood covenant that he had entered into with Yahweh God. Under such a covenant, both parties had full rights to everything the other owned. In Hebrew, covenant means- cut-where-blood-flows. Abraham paid for his blood requirement with circumcision.

Because Abraham did not withhold his only son (Gen 22:2, 12, 16), then God did not withhold his only son, Jesus. There is an ancient principle at work here that requires us to reciprocate(do in kind) everything that Christ requires of us in this life. If we think we can come to Jesus and live our own life, we are in violation of the blood covenant with God Almighty.

This is why there must be a dying to self every day in order to fulfill this covenant. What we say when we do this is, "Lord, I give all I have to you as you give (and already have given) all you have to me." Whatever God has called you to do then you must say,” Yes Lord, here I am, I will do as you say."
Let us always be mindful of the warning of taking the body and blood lightly or without care. Let us consider the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:27-30: "Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸ But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. ²⁹ For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. ³⁰ for this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep." This does not mean we become fearful and condemning of ourselves for our sin nature or frantic soul searching to find a sin to have forgiven before we partake of the sacrament, it means let us know of our assurance in Him and let us be sure we have become a part of Him spiritually before we try to partake of His symbolic precious sacrificial offering for us to Yahweh God. To do so is an egregious affront to the very Spirit of God. Simply put, know that you were pulled from a certain spiritual death by a loving sacrifice from a loving Savior, and that you not only know it and accept it, but you have purposed to live in accordance with the requirements of the covenant, with all you have to give.

In Jeremiah 31:31-34, we find the promise of the New Covenant, although the very beginning of the covenant was established through the faith of Abraham.(continued tomorrow)

* bracketed text taken from: http://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/what-is-the-new-covenant-god-offers-to-man.html