The Old and New Testaments represent two theological 'covenants'; i.e. conditional promises made by God to humanity.
1. The Covenant of Works
Based on 'obedience' to divine law, it was introduced in Eden ... And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:16-17)
It was re-introduced at Sinai as the Mosaic Law ... Have no other gods before Me, make no graven image, don't take God's name in vain, remember the sabbath, honor your parents, do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not covet. (Exodus 20:3-17)
In God’s eyes, it takes only one act of disobedience to break 'covenant' with Him ... Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. (James 2:10)
God so loved the world, that a new covenant was brought to bear ... The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)
The Son of God did not discard the first covenant. He instead satisfied its demands ... Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17)
Trusting Jesus as Lord allows grace to flow from God's throne ... Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:23-24)
God's presence has moved from an 'old covenant' temple to a 'new covenant' sanctuary ... the believer's heart. Our relationship with Him is no longer 'external', but 'internal'.
Spurgeon - Whether I am up or down, the Lord Jesus is the same. Whether I sing or sigh, the promise is true and the Promiser is faithful. Whether I stand on the summit or am hidden in the vale the New Covenant stands fast and everlasting love abides.
If you are not a Christian, you're still under Old Covenant law and will be judged accordingly.
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