If Hebrews isn’t one of your favourite books of the Bible, then you might be missing a key aspect of grace. The same goes for Romans and Galatians. These three books are fundamental to grasping the essence of the New Covenant.
Hebrews was originally written for Jewish believers who had a tendency of trying to blend Old Testament performance-based laws with the freedom in Christ the New Covenant offers. Sad to say, the vast majority of Christians today fall into the same trap. They might profess that they’re living under New Covenant grace, but in reality, they’re mixing in Old Testament legalism. The truth is, these two covenants cannot be mixed. The Old Testament is awesome in so many ways and points us to Jesus, but it was incomplete.
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
Hebrews 8:6–7
There is a huge difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, yet the average Christian fails to understand the difference and misses out on living in the victory and freedom that Jesus purchased for us. The old system of animal sacrifice was only a temporary, imperfect way to deal with sin. Out of love, God the Father sent His only Son, Jesus, into the world and established a new covenant that would resolve the problem of sin once and for all.
The first chapter of Hebrews opens with a powerful declaration. It establishes not only the deity of Jesus but also His superiority over any other way that God ever spoke to people:
Hebrews 1:1–2
Understanding Jesus’ deity is absolutely critical to salvation and faith, and it underscores the power of the New Covenant. Jesus came as God in the flesh and sacrificed Himself once and for all. And His payment for the sins of all humanity is totally and completely sufficient (Heb. 9–10). No more yearly reminders of sin; Jesus paid it all. Man, that’s awesome!
I hope you are beginning to get a better grasp of God’s grace. I’m talking about the profound, life-changing grace that empowers you to experience freedom and God’s presence now. Maybe you’re reading this and feeling stuck in your walk with the Lord. You’ve accepted Christ and you know you’re saved, but victory in your daily life seems out of reach. If you think that joy, prosperity and peace are things reserved for heaven, let me challenge you with Galatians 1:4:
Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
Matthew 9:17
Hebrews 8:6–7
I spend a lot of time reading the Old Testament, and I’m not suggesting we get rid it. But I’m living under the New Covenant, and I am not under the curse and the punishment of the Old Testament Law.
There is a huge difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, yet the average Christian fails to understand the difference and misses out on living in the victory and freedom that Jesus purchased for us. The old system of animal sacrifice was only a temporary, imperfect way to deal with sin. Out of love, God the Father sent His only Son, Jesus, into the world and established a new covenant that would resolve the problem of sin once and for all.
THE DEITY OF JESUS
Another major point that’s emphasised in Hebrews is the deity of Jesus. To me, the real dividing line between a cult and true Christianity hinges on the deity of Jesus. Jesus isn’t just a good teacher or a prophet; He is God incarnate (1 Tim. 3:16). He is the exact representation of God’s glory (Heb. 1:3).
This isn’t theological debate—it’s a foundational truth that separates true Christianity from every other belief system. Cults like Jehovah’s Witnesses acknowledge Jesus as a great man, but they deny His deity. Others like Mormonism have created a completely unbiblical definition of God that nullifies any profession they make about Jesus being God. But Scripture is clear: Jesus is God.
The first chapter of Hebrews opens with a powerful declaration. It establishes not only the deity of Jesus but also His superiority over any other way that God ever spoke to people:
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.
Hebrews 1:1–2
What an awesome statement! You know, in Luke 2:11 when the angels declared that Jesus was “Christ the Lord,” it wasn’t just a title; it was a proclamation of His deity. Yet in His human form, Jesus grew in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:52), experiencing life like us but without sin. His earthly body concealed His divine glory, but it was revealed momentarily on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1–6).
Understanding Jesus’ deity is absolutely critical to salvation and faith, and it underscores the power of the New Covenant. Jesus came as God in the flesh and sacrificed Himself once and for all. And His payment for the sins of all humanity is totally and completely sufficient (Heb. 9–10). No more yearly reminders of sin; Jesus paid it all. Man, that’s awesome!
I hope you are beginning to get a better grasp of God’s grace. I’m talking about the profound, life-changing grace that empowers you to experience freedom and God’s presence now. Maybe you’re reading this and feeling stuck in your walk with the Lord. You’ve accepted Christ and you know you’re saved, but victory in your daily life seems out of reach. If you think that joy, prosperity and peace are things reserved for heaven, let me challenge you with Galatians 1:4:
Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.
The point I’m making is that Jesus came to deliver us from this present evil world—right here, right now. Consider how He taught us to pray in Matthew 6:10: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” That’s not just a future hope; it’s a present reality! Healing, prosperity, joy, peace—they’re all part of the package Jesus secured for us. Yet too many Christians struggle to grasp this because they’re mixing Old Covenant Law with New Covenant grace. And that’s like trying to put new wine into old wineskins, just as Jesus warned:
Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
Matthew 9:17
This is talking about how you can’t mix the Old Covenant with the New Covenant. Trying to relate to God based on the Old Covenant just won’t work. You’re either justified by grace without works or by works without grace. It’s one or the other, not a hybrid version.
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Romans 11:6
We love you,
Andrew & Jamie.
If you wrestle with doubts or feel trapped in a cycle of religious performance, I want you to know the God who loves you and offers you freedom and victory today, not just in eternity. I encourage you to get my full teaching Hebrews: Living in the New Covenant Reality. I believe it will transform your understanding of what Jesus has accomplished for you. We’re offering the hardcover book £22. This teaching is also available in CD, DVD, or USB format.
To order, visit awme.net/covenant, or call our UK Helpline at +44(0)1922 473300.
We love you,
Andrew & Jamie.
Hebrews: Living in the New Covenant Reality
In this verse-by-verse study of the book of Hebrews, you’ll learn how to embrace the finished work of Jesus and experience God's best for your life.
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