Jesus Came To Fulfill The Law
Each year I try to read a different version of the Bible. Mainly to change it up a bit but also to get a different perspective of the writings. The doctrine is the same, but some Bibles are easier to read. Some versions let me see a passage clearer and chronological Bibles pulls it all together for more comprehension story. One-year Bibles test my ability to get it all done in a year, sometimes I can sometimes I can’t. I prefer to read the entire Bible each time. For me, there is no Old Testament v.s. New Testament there is only the Holy Bible where God reveals Himself entirely.
When reading the Old Testament, you learn a lot about the history and culture of the people. You learn about the people’s interaction with God and God’s interaction with them.
How he loved some and despised others, blessed some, and killed others. Where he provided for some and destroyed others. You will discover his promises and his curses. Through it all, you will find out about His everlastingly love, grace, mercy, and faithfulness. Yes, there was anger but there was so much love.
In the New Testament, you learn all about Jesus and why He had to come to earth to die for our sins. Jesus is God in the flesh teaching the way to heaven. He shares the good news of salvation for all.
“The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,” Exodus 34:6 ESV
Through it all, you learned about His everlasting love, grace, mercy, and faithfulness.
Need For A Messiah
In the New Testament, we learn about the need for a Messiah, His ultimate sacrifice for the atonement for sin, and the establishment of His kingdom. Why would I want to skip that? In the Old Testament God reveals the need for a new covenant because Man was unable to keep God’s commandments. The man broke the covenant. God had to provide another way to salvation – His son Jesus. This is truly God’s demonstration of love and faithfulness to us.
Recently a group leader suggested that we only needed to read the New Testament because we were no longer under the Old Covenant. I guess she wanted to encourage the women to read the Bible by making it easier by suggesting they read one-fourth of the Bible. I do not agree.
Every word in the Bible is God-breathed and is important in teaching, correcting, training us. Therefore, I will continue to read the Bible cover to cover. Jesus can be found in the Old Testament and the New Testament. He is revealed throughout the entire Bible along with the foretelling of his ultimate sacrifice.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
In God’s Views there is no Old Testament v.s. New Testament
God’s views and teachings from the Old Testament form The New Testament’s framework and complement it. The Old Testaments’ ideas and principles that are revealed in the New Testament cannot be overlooked. Jesus quotes and fulfills many prophecies of the Old Testament. He came to fulfill the law that we could not by becoming the ultimate sacrifice to atone for sins. There is no Old Testament v.s. New Testament if you truly want to understand God’s view.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17 ESV
Besides if you don’t read the Old Testament how will you understand why we need Jesus. Time and time again man turned from God. God sent his prophets to beg them to return. Just like today so many have walked away from God to do their own thing. I pray daily that they will find their way back to God. He is waiting and ready to take anyone and everyone back.
“if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV
God Revealed so there is No Old Testament v.s. New Testament
Not reading the Old Testament is like reading part two without reading part one. Yes, you can get by but why would you want to read an incomplete story. By just reading one-fourth of the truth, you are missing so much about the God that loves us so much. In the Old Testament God reveals so much of himself. His provision, his goodness, his miracles, his faithfulness, his grace and mercy, and his outpouring of love. To go deeper read my blog Christians and The Bible. You will realize that there is no Old Testament v.s. New Testament, just the Bible.
Peace and blessings,
Sabrina
So true! Thanks for the reminder! The last time I read the Bible God told me I choose you but you are stubborn and not following what I am telling you to do. You are also called to spread Gods word and wisdom!
You are very welcome! We all need reminders sometimes. I know I do too!
Thank you for providing clarity on the importance of feeding on the entire Word. The OT without the NT, or vice versa leaves too much to the imagination. However, most of life’s questions are answered when reading the information and instruction contained in both books. The Word tells us God provides everything we need for life and godliness. So accessing God’s entire Word, in belief and according to our faith, assures us of having access to everything we need to hear from God on matters of our lives.