Expert: Phillip Senn - 1/16/2005

Question
I actually have a couple of questions. First, are we supposed to live by the new covenant and not the old, or are we supposed to live by them both? Now, I believe that we are to live by the new covenant, which we keep just by loving Him. Is this correct? And I also believe that since we have the new covenant, then we dont have to keep the old covenant. Is this also correct? Now when I say that this is what I believe, I do believe this , but I also realize I may be wrong. I also have tattoos and I want to get more (all relating to christianity). Is this breaking either of the covenants?  

Answer
Question 1. The Scripture says this of the New Covenant in Hebrews 13:20-21, "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

We are indeed under a new and living covenant. This covenant is described in a previous chapter (Hebrews 9:1-14) This new covenant speaks of Him purging, by His own blood, our consciouses "from dead works, to serve a living God."

That would bring me to your 2nd question. Why, if we have been purged from dead works which we were doing prior to becoming one of God's children, would we want to again become entangled with them. We should, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world." We should so live our lives that the Lord is glorified in our lives. Our testimony of Christ, and our testimony of His love for us, should be evidenced in what people see about us that makes us one of His peculiar people. If we look like the world, it is much easier for the world to see us as just another member of the world's system.

We should seek to honor him, not with tatoos, but with the Love of God that is shed abroad in our hearts. That love should constrain us to honor Him, not only with our lips as men pleasers, but should also be lived out in our lives in a way that He is glorified and honored. What we listen to, how we dress, what we say, how we conduct ourselves in conversation and lifestyle reflect upon our Lord Jesus. He is worthy to be honored in ALL things. Our love should be towards Him in such a way that we no longer seek to do what WE want to do, but what He would want us to do.

I hope this has answered your questions. Please rate the answers at allexperts.com as it will let me know how I am doing, and also show me areas in whiuch I may need improvement.

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn