Today’s Christians are more mosaic than Christos, often finding themselves trapped in an erroneous perception that they are merely an extension of ancient Judaism. This misunderstanding has led to a problematic approach where Christians selectively pick and choose Levitical laws to follow, despite the fact that such cherry-picking was strictly forbidden under the Mosaic law itself, as stated by James:
"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it" (James 2:10).
One of the fundamental issues plaguing Christianity today is the loss of the concept of covenants. Covenants serve as the governing principles of a relationship, defining its rules and obligations. However, many Christians fail to recognize that the rules governing their relationship with God are different from those that governed ancient Israel. This is clearly emphasized in the book of Hebrews, which discusses the superiority of the new covenant established through Jesus.
The author of Hebrews states that the new covenant is superior to the old one, rendering the latter obsolete:
"By calling this covenant 'new,' he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear" (Hebrews 8:13).
Jesus, as the mediator of the new covenant, holds a ministry that is superior to that of ancient Israel, as the new covenant is established on better promises:
"But in fact, the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises. For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another" (Hebrews 8:6-7).
These passages make it clear that the new covenant surpasses the old one in terms of its promises and the relationship it offers believers. As Christians, we should not settle for a lesser understanding or adherence to outdated practices. The new covenant in Christ invites us to a deeper and more profound relationship with God, one that is not bound by the limitations of the old covenant.
Therefore, it is crucial for Christians today to recognize their identity in Christ and embrace the fullness of the new covenant. Instead of selectively adhering to Old Testament laws, Christians should focus on the teachings and principles outlined in the New Testament, which reflect the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice and the grace bestowed upon believers.
By adopting a more Christ-centered approach, Christians can escape the mosaic mindset that restricts their understanding of the new covenant. This shift in perspective allows believers to embrace the freedom and fulfillment offered through a relationship with Christ, unburdened by legalistic obligations that have been surpassed by the superior promises of the new covenant.
Breaking every unified covenant Theology chain
In conclusion, it is evident that today’s Christians often fall into the trap of being more mosaic than Christos, mistakenly viewing themselves as an extension of ancient Judaism. By reclaiming the true essence of the new covenant and its superiority over the old, Christians can fully embrace the transformative power of Christ and experience the abundant life promised in the Gospel. It is time to shed the mosaic mindset and embrace the Christ-centered identity that defines true Christianity.
