Random- Learned At Church

The old covenant of the Old Testament was mostly found to be honored by a list of duties to be checked off with satisfaction.  A higher covenant could not be honored by Moses and the children of Israel, so the old covenant remained.

Hence, a new covenant presented a honest, new, and heightened measure of faith on the Lord Jesus Christ, and combined an effort to obey his commandments.  This combination, if faithfully endured, and sincerely approached authethically- cleanses each of us through the Lord Jesus Christ and blesses us with his highest goodness and mercy.

The parable and the pharisee and the tax collector highlights this description above by the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

“I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every man that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 18:10–14.)

In answer to this parable, Jesus highlights the humility of one- a sinner, and the other- a prideful, justified Pharisee, who mocked the mission and new covenant presented by Jesus.

This type of teaching is so powerful.  It is a thoughtful and inner learning model that causes difficult choices for some, but promised blessing for another.