Saturday June 30, 2012

Can you briefly explain the narrative of salvation in the bible from Genesis to Revelation?

 

Read Genesis 17:1-10; Romans 4:16; Galatians 3:6-8; Colossians 2:11.

 

As we read the New Testament and think the history from the Old Testament it becomes exceedingly clear that there is only one narrative that runs through both testaments.  It’s exactly what we saw with the new and the old covenants earlier this week.

 

As we think about this continuity in the covenants it’s made even clearer by the references to the Old Covenant. The promise of justification that we have received is the very same promise received by Abraham in Genesis 12. Abraham believed and it was credited to him as righteousness. We believe in Jesus and have His righteousness credited to us. There is no new novelty here. Abraham longed to see the day of Jesus and is our spiritual father. We are in his lineage.

 

Even more so, we are children of Abraham (Galatians 3:6-9). This would be a nonsensical and utterly ridiculous statement if there were no continuity in the covenants. Apart from the covenant promise to Abraham, we really have nothing in common. There is no link between us and Abraham except that God has fulfilled the covenant He made with Abraham through Christ and for us. We are Abraham’s children because the New Covenant fulfils the Old.

 

Colossians 2:11 paints even a fuller picture. The sign of the covenant in the Old Testament was circumcision. Everyone (male) who entered the covenant was given this sign. You could not be a covenant member without being circumcised (Genesis 17:1-10). Interestingly, Abraham was called into a covenant with God and his children entered the covenant as well by being circumcised. The nation of Israel had not yet been created and Abraham’s children were not born into any nation under God’s love and grace! Abraham was as individual as you and I. The children were circumcised because children of believers come under the covenant stipulations and grace of the Lord.

 

In Colossians, God uses Old Covenant language to convey New Covenant truths. By believing in Christ and by trusting in His work at Calvary what was promised to Abraham and what was symbolised in circumcision has been fulfilled in us. The full circumcision (which represented a rolling away of sin) has been completed for us by the Holy Spirit. What circumcision was in the Old Covenant, Baptism is in the New Covenant (Read Colossians 2:1-15 in context).

 

When we begin to see the Bible as one continual salvation narrative, a meta-narrative, a depth and richness opens up that previously remained hidden. Individualism disappears. Self centeredness pales into insignificance. The sovereignty of God in bringing us salvation through thousands of years of preparation illuminates and perpetuates the glory and majesty of our God.

 

Prayer:

¥ Tomorrow you will gather with your brothers and sisters in your church and with believers all around the world. Tomorrow is Sonday - the day we dedicate to the Son to sing His glory, to laud His praises and to be transformed by His presence. Spend time praying that you and your brothers and sisters will be ready to meet with the living God.

¥ Pray that God would be pleased to be among us tomorrow and that all that happens and all that is said is glorifying to Him. Pray that we would see God do great and miraculous things in us, among us and through us.

¥ Pray that our singing, our praying and our giving would reflect the generosity we have received from God.

¥ Pray that love would rule among us and that the world would see us as Jesus’ disciples as we love each other.