As God’s chosen people, the Nation of Israel has an amazing heritage through their relationship with God. He has richly blessed, justly chastened and lovingly preserved the Jews.
- Deuteronomy 7:6 “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.
- Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
- Proverbs 3:11-12 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; 12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
In the Old Testament, Jews in right relationship with God were His sons, saints and slaves.
- Isaiah 63:16 Doubtless You are our Father, Though Abraham was ignorant of us, And Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O Lord, are our Father; Our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name.
- There are references to God as Father in the Old Testament; however, God was viewed as the Father of the Nation of Israel. The idea of an intimate, personal and loving Father-son type relationship was not prevalent before the time of Christ.
- Psalm 34:9 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.
- Old Testament Jews who sincerely repented of their sins were ceremonial cleansed by sacrificing animals. Before the once and for all final and perfect payment for sin by the death of Jesus on a Roman cross, additional sin required an additional sacrifice – ceremonial cleansing was not the same as a permanent right standing with God.
- Psalm 34:22 The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.
- Redemption during the time before Jesus was only possible by keeping the law of God. Truly faithful and obedient Jews demonstrated their reverence for God by living as bondservants to His commandments.
But when Jesus came, everything changed. Having a proper relationship with God transitioned from conformity with commandments to reliance on relationship. God’s law was fulfilled by God’s grace.
- Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
- Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
After Jesus’ death, animal sacrifices became useless.
- John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
- The only way for Jews or Gentiles (anyone who is not a Jew) to have a right relationship with God is through Jesus Christ.
- Ephesians 2:18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
- ‘both’ refers to Jews and Gentiles.
God has promised and delivered a better covenant.
- Jeremiah 31:33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
- Hebrews 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.
Now our faith in our Savior, not our works, makes us right with God. We long to glorify our Lord and obey His law out of love, not obligation.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
- Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.
Through Jesus, all followers of Christ (both Jews and Gentiles) enjoy permanent and perfected relationships with God as sons, saints and slaves.
- Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
- Followers of Christ frequently and fervently call out to their loving Father in reverence and reliance. This is a close personal relationship.
- Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
- Followers of Christ are made forever righteous before God through the shed blood of Jesus (See 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Hebrews 10:14). Jesus shed His blood to cover all our sins; past, present and future.
- Romans 6:22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.
- Followers of Christ are freed from bondage to sin and self so they can faithfully and humbly serve and glorify God. Jesus died and rose from the grave so that we can have eternal life in Heaven with God.
Prayer
Father, thank You Lord for making me Your son, saint and slave. You have given me a personal, positional and purposeful relationship with You. I pray that you will use Your Word and Your Holy Spirit to reveal this blessing to all Your faithful followers and to draw unbelievers to You for salvation in Jesus Christ. I praise You and love You. I pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
