Why do we act as if, God got “saved” in the New Testament? He says:
“For I am the Lord, I DO NOT change; that is why you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6 Amplified Bible Classic Edition
We need to see His “New Testament” Love at work in the Old Covenant; and His “Old Covenant” Justice carried out towards sin in the “New and Living Way”.
He is the same God in the Old Testament as the New. So much so, that when He talks about Jesus (His Son) in the book of Revelation; He calls Jesus: “The Lamb slain before the foundation of the world”.
To God the Father, it was already done (the giving of His one and only Son). It was settled in His mind/heart/spirit; before the fall of man had occurred. Before man was ever formed from the dust of the ground, God breathing Life into man; it was decided. God the Son, would give Himself for man.
While there was still as of yet, nothing.
God was the same.
While everything still is.
God is the same.
The day that is coming, when all is nothing.
God will be the same.
It is NOT God; who wants us to see Him differently in the Old and New Testaments. It IS our enemy; that wants to warp our view of God.
The people that have lived, in the time before redemption; were pointed to the ultimate arrival of the Redemptive Hope.
We, as the people who came after Jesus’ first appearing; should be able to look back and see that He is unchanging and resolute in His ways.
“Behold then the kindness and severity of God”.
We act as if that was written under the veil, or shadow of the Old Testament; taking place under the Old Covenant.
What if it was written there?
Does that make it okay to dismiss it?
Did God who DOES NOT CHANGE; change His mind?
(By the way it’s found in Romans 11:22)
Why do we think it’s okay to dismiss entire concepts, words, meanings, sections, chapters, books, and even Testaments, when it comes to God’s Word?
How messed up is it to: Live and cling, with everything within us, to the “promises of God”; all the while denying the instruction and correction needed to get there.
God’s Word is NOT a candy store of our choosing. Where we get to take, only the sweet treats we desire.
What about the needed medicine for our healing?
“But, that tastes bitter.”
So what?! If it is for our healing! Choose it!
What about the “rod of correction”? If we are headed down the wrong path, headed straight for destruction; don’t we want correction? Or do we only want a sweet bag of candy on our destructive path?
“For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes.”
Hebrews 12:6 AMPC
OUCH! that’s New Testament, people!
How sick; and just like our enemy to trick us into believing a lie. We shout the “promises” from the rooftops; but, we ourselves blot out the path to get there. We refuse to hear the path; and we cut anyone off who tries to speak it out.
Psalms 111:9 & 10 MEV says:
“He sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever; holy and fearful is His name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who live it have insight. His praise endures forever!”
We ALL want wisdom and insight; especially in the areas we are focused upon. How are we going to obtain wisdom and insight if we reject the concept; and the very words: “fear of the Lord”? His own name is “Holy and Fearful”. So is the Lord supposed to avoid those particular words and concepts that we are phobic about? Or is the desire and will of the Lord to destroy everything that stands in the way of Love?
Why do we limit our spiritual diet to only “positive” scriptures?
What?!! “Positive scriptures”?
If you “believe”, and you are a “believer”; they are ALL positive to you!
If you refuse to “believe”, and you are an “unbeliever”; then even the most “positive scriptures” will testify against you…
Until, you believe!
For the sake of the “Believers” let’s look at
2 Timothy 3:16 & 17…
“EVERY Scripture passage is inspired by God. ALL of them are useful for teaching, pointing out errors, correcting people, and training them for a life that has God’s approval. They equip God’s servants so that they are COMPLETELY PREPARED to do good things.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 God’s Word Translation
I Don’t see anything in there about “picking out a positive little goody bag of promises”. I see in this scripture a statement of how to obtain the promises of God. Taking EVERY scripture seriously so that we are completely prepared to do the good works of our Father.
Finally, to reiterate God has NEVER needed to be “saved”! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever! He has NOT changed His mind concerning us!
GOD HAS ALWAYS BEEN AND ALWAYS WILL BE:
GOD IS ❤️
His mind has ALWAYS been settled concerning man. We however; need CONSTANT renewing in ours…
“And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.”
Ephesians 4:23-24 Amplified Bible Classic Edition