Christian teachers and preachers suggest that God has given grace as an alternative to godly behavior. Worse yet, they imply that this alternative is eternal. A thousand years from now, it is said, we still will be praising God for His "grace." This means, apparently, that we still shall be bound in sin and self-will but God will accept us anyway.

If this were the case it would represent a change in God Himself, in His moral Nature. It would be the most disastrous of all catastrophes that possibly could overtake the creation. In this case, the Holy City would be holy by imputation, meaning that it was filled with malice, violence, filthy moral behavior, and every other abomination that previously had brought the wrath of God upon mankind. There would be no hope for those who are looking for "new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."

Christian teaching often is incorrect in its presentation of Divine grace under the new covenant.

It is true that by our identification with Christ on the cross we are legally free from the Law of Moses. But we are not free to live as we please, we are free only to be married to Christ.

Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. (Romans 7:4)

Marriage to Christ brings a far stricter control over our moral behavior than ever could be true of the Law of Moses.

We have a multitude of spiritual "singles" today who are married neither to Moses nor to Christ. They are without law of any kind other than being a law to themselves. They shall be judged as evildoers. The Lord Jesus does not "know" them, or those who are teaching them that their immoral, lawless behavior is acceptable to God.

What is the new covenant? Precisely what is the new covenant, the new testament, the covenant that has superseded the Law of Moses?

Someone who knew only current Christian teaching would suppose the new covenant consisted of God's forgiveness of our sin so we can make our eternal home in Heaven. This model of redemption is incorrect in method and objective.

God's moral Nature is eternal. He never has changed and never shall change His desire for mankind. God desires that every person practice righteousness, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. This expression sums up the Law and the Prophets.

There was a problem with the worshipers under the Law of Moses. The problem was that many Israelites did not practice righteousness, love mercy, or walk humbly with God. In fact, the envy in the personalities of the Law-keeping leaders of Israel caused them to demand the murder of Jesus of Nazareth.

Not being satisfied with people under the old covenant, God has created a new covenant. According to today's preaching, the new covenant primarily is one of forgiveness. Because people are sinful, God has decided, on the basis of the suffering and shed blood of Jesus on the cross, to waive His requirement that people practice righteousness, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.

To be continued.