Old vs New covenant

There are significant differences between the old and new covenant. Nevertheless, the old covenant was crucial to the birth of the new covenant. Without the laws in the old covenant man will not know what is sinful in the sight of God (Romans 3:20).

No law means lawlessness which the pagan nations indulged in and they were driven out of the promised land for a nation(Israel) with the law. And when the Israelites became lawless, they too were driven into exile as stated in the covenant (Deuteronomy 29).

One thing that is common between the old and the new covenant is OBEDIENCE. The expectation of obedience from believers still remains the same. The new covenant didn’t throw the laws away. Jesus said He didn’t come to abolish the Laws but to fulfil them (Matthew 5:17). The laws are holy but given to unholy people in the old covenant, not to make them righteous but to make them aware of the need for a SAVIOR.

Now, in the new covenant man is able to fulfil the righteous requirement of the law (Romans 8:4) which is LOVE through Jesus Christ.

“…Therefore Love is the fulfilment of the law” (Romans 13:10)

The old covenant

The old covenant was made to the people of Israel. It was part of the fulfilment of God’s promise to Abraham for his faithfulness (Genesis 15:18). The goal of the old covenant was to preserve the Israelites in the promised land. God chose them to have wisdom and understanding different from other nations who worshipped other gods (Deut 4:6). The laws were given to the Israelites as a guide to live holy (Lev 11:45, 20:26).

The diagram below shows the illustration of the world in the old covenant.

The new covenant

The old covenant was a prerequisite to the new covenant. It was impossible to introduce the new covenant during the time of Moses without introducing the laws first. Because the law was a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ(Galatians 3:24).

The introduction of the new covenant ushered in the kingdom of God on earth and since the day of John the Baptist it has been advancing (Matthew 11:12). One of the key significant differences of new from the old covenant is the new birth that gives the saints complete freedom from sin. Now, the saints (all who receive salvation through the gospel of Christ) are no longer under the laws but above them.

The diagram below shows the illustration of the world in the new covenant.