By the same token, the grace given to the worshiper under the Law of Moses does not approach the grace given to the believer under the new covenant. A certain amount of Divine favor was shown to Noah; more to Abraham; even more to Moses and the children of Israel. God's Presence went with Israel to a greater extent than was true of previous patriarchs and prophets.

But the grace given under the new covenant surpasses that of previous covenants to the same extent that the demands on the human personality under the new covenant surpass those of previous covenants. We have the blood atonement, the body and blood of Christ by which we live, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the born-again experience, access to the Holy of Holies in Heaven, and the teachings of Christ and His Apostles. Ultimately we will have the fullness of the Father and the Son dwelling in us through the fullness of the Holy Spirit—all in a body filled with the Spirit of Life from God.

But the goal of all covenants has remained exactly the same. The previous covenants were the necessary preliminaries of the new covenant. The new covenant is the highest of all covenants. There never shall be a greater because the new covenant includes total transformation of our personality; complete, untroubled rest in the Father through the Son; eternal fruitfulness; and authority and power over all the works of God's hands. The coming down from Heaven of the holy city, the Bride of the Lamb, is the manifestation of the full development of the new covenant.

We have discussed the first two aspects of the Divine fiat—image and union.

The third aspect is fruitfulness. Paul said we are dead to Moses and married to Jesus Christ that we might bear fruit. The fruit we bear results from the interaction of Christ and His Bride and consists of people in the image of Christ.

As we continually are brought down to the death of the cross, the resurrection Life of Jesus raises us up. Each time this takes place we are changed into His image. Not only are we changed, those whom we influence are affected.

Paul said his numerous trials brought him down to the death of Christ, but the death working in him brought life to others.

For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. (II Corinthians 4:11,12—NIV)

God wants fruit wherever He plants Christ. That fruit is Christ, His Character, His Nature, His moral behavior, His love of righteousness and holiness, His stern obedience to the Father. This is what God desires in people.

When we abide in Christ we bear fruit. When we do not abide in Christ we do not bear fruit and finally will be cut out of the Vine, that is, out of Christ.

God is strict in this regard and will not change. God is very loving toward all of His creatures, but He is determined that the image of His beloved Son shall increase.

To be continued.