The modern church often claims we don't need to keep the law because we're under the New Covenant, yet we still cling to self-effort, trying to earn righteousness through our actions, like honoring the Sabbath or tithing out of obligation.
In our personal lives, we often ask, "What must I do to receive God's blessings?" We create our own commandments—attending church, fasting, praying, and reading the Bible—believing that these actions will earn us favor. However, true blessing comes not from our efforts but from faith in what Jesus has already accomplished. The Jewish people tried to live perfectly under the law, but Jesus came and leveled the playing field. Now, anyone who puts their faith in Christ is equally qualified to receive the fullness of God's blessing, regardless of their past efforts.
For thousands of years, the Jewish people lived under the law, a culture and environment that shaped their entire way of life. God's desire was always for a people who could rule and reign as a kingdom, but this couldn't be accomplished under the law. Jesus came to fulfill God's true purpose, making us a kingdom of priests and a special treasure.
The truth is, God is love, we were born slaves to sin, everyone will be judged, and we cannot save ourselves. We need a Savior, and Jesus is that Savior. Only those who believe in Christ have their judgment removed because He took it all upon Himself. If we reject Him, choosing instead to rely on our own efforts, we remain under God's judgment.
Righteousness in God's sight is achieved only by faith, not by behavior. It's not about Jesus plus our efforts equaling blessing; it's just Jesus. The moment we start relying on our actions to earn God's favor, we've fallen from grace. The covenant God made with Abraham and his Seed, Jesus Christ, is unchangeable and cannot be annulled by any law or human agreement.
When we are baptized into Christ, we become one with Him. In the Kingdom of God, there is no distinction based on race, gender, or social status. We are all one in Christ. If Christ doesn't see us based on our fleshly identities, why should we? We should love one another as Christ loves us, seeing each other through the spirit rather than the flesh. In Christ, there is true equality—whether free or slave, we are all one in Him.
