(This message series is inspired and excerpted from Heaven is Now by Andrew Farley)
“Heaven’s new covenant is authentic Christianity. It’s a perfect expression of the goodness of the Lord, and it’s no counterfeit. The results of God’s new way are unmistakable. It inspires us to act from a heavenly, heartfelt motive rather than from an earthly guilt or sense of obligation.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Mat. 6:33)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8 ESV)
A shift in focus brings this new motivation. In being forgiven completely, we need not focus on our sins. In being accepted unconditionally by God’s grace, we need not focus on our performance. In becoming new creations, we need not get on the treadmill of pursuing religious righteousness. In being united with Christ, we need not be consumed with pleading and begging for more of his presence. No, it’s all been taken care of, and the results of this new covenant are dramatic. We are fixed firmly to heaven. And we can finally taste the goodness of the Lord!” (loc. 1975 of 2138)
[If someone asked you to explain the new covenant in your own words, what would you say it’s all about?]
Think about the last time you bought a car. Did you just grab the first red one you saw? If you’re like most people you put a great deal of research into the decision. “Maybe it’s just a human thing for many of us. We want to be absolutely certain that we got the very best deal we could find.
It’s the same when it comes to spiritual truth. It’s important for us to know that we have the best thing out there. But if we haven’t yet awakened to heaven’s new way of grace, it’s very difficult to pass off Christianity as the best thing going. [What are your thoughts about that last statement?]
We simply can’t taste the goodness of the Lord apart from the new covenant. Instead, we are left to wallow in our own feelings about God to determine if he is good and to what degree.
It’s the new covenant that defines the goodness of the Lord for us today. Through the new covenant, his goodness is defined in exact spiritual terms, not by soulish [human] emotions.” (loc. 1990 of 2138)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
[8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. [9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9 ESV)
(I thought we needed verse 8 again; for good measure.) Based on what you have learned from the whole of Scripture; will the God of peace still be with you if forget to “practice these things”?
First, our freedom from the law translates into a no-strings-attached, total acceptance that we are anchored to through Christ. This freedom for the law means that we need not walk on eggshells with the Lord. We can move forward confidently, knowing that we are loved with an unshakable, unbreakable love purchased through blood.
Second, we can taste the goodness of the Lord in the new covenant as heaven has bestowed on us a new identity, making us clean and close to God. We are heavenly at the core. Our righteousness is not some positional status God has given us while we actually remain dirty and distant. No, God has actually cleansed us and made us new. He has given us a place of honor in his family by exchanging our old spiritual DNA for a new self. We are now literally and actually partakers of his divine nature (2 Cor. 5:17; Col. 3:10; 2 Pet. 1:4).
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. [6] On account of these the wrath of God is coming. [7] In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. [8] But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. [9] Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices [10] and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. [11] Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
[12] Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, [13] bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. [14] And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. [15] And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. [16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. [17] And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:5-17 ESV)
Third, our new covenant forgiveness is an incredible demonstration of the Lord’s goodness to us. While the forgiveness of old involved animal sacrifices once a year, the new covenant forgiveness we now enjoy is very different. Jesus Christ is not up in heaven dying again and again, and therefore, we are not being forgiven progressively. Instead, the sin issue is now over. Christ is seated in heaven at God’s right hand, and his work is finished. This means we are completely forgiven and cleansed people, entirely reconciled to God.
Lastly, the new covenant announcement is that God has given his divine life. Life has been restored to the place formerly housing death. When our human spirit was exchanged, old for new, we filled with God’s Spirit and sealed by him until Christ’s return. His presence is in us for here and now, and his presence is for the eternity we already participate in.
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14 ESV)
Freedom, identity, forgiveness and life—these make up heaven’s new way. Each enables us to taste the goodness of the Lord in a special way. Each awakens our spiritual senses to a heaven that is now.” (loc. 2030 of 2138)
“How does heaven’s new way change the way you look at yourself? your sins? your relationship with God?” (loc. 2072 of 2138)
Heaven Speaks (What Jesus might say if he were sitting right here)
“I invite you to feast on the goodness of my new covenant. Through it, I have shown you a simple singular focus—me. I am your once for all sacrifice for sins. I am your freedom from the law. And I am your source for life. Taste and see that I am good, and enjoy my heavenly promises now and forevermore. I love you more than you can possibly imagine. – Jesus” (inspired by John 6:35, 56; Hebrews 7:27; 12:2; 1 Peter 3:18; Romans 6:7, 10, 14; 7:6; Colossians 3:4; Psalm 34:8; 2 Peter 1:4; Ephesians 3:19.) (loc. 2021 of 2138)
Awakening: (a sample closing prayer)
“My Jesus, you’ve changed how I look at myself, how I look at others, and how I see you. Thank you for forgiving me once for all. Thank you for freeing me from the impossible standard of the law. Thank you for giving me a brand new identity. But most of all, thank you for the gift of your life. You are so incredibly good to me, and I will love you all the days of my life.
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