Question: Mr. Albrecht,
I noticed that you made a statement that was not accurate. You stated that the old covenant was impossible for the people to keep. If you look at what God said to do to keep that covenant you see that he asked nothing that was beyond them to be able to do. It was their attitude about the covenant that was the problem. They were always viewing it as a burden, grumbling, etc. about it. They could not bear it because they refused to, not because it was not possible to.
Keep up the good work. Thank you for CWR.
Paul
Answer: Dear Paul,
Thanks for your note, and your comment about CWR.
The understanding you have that led you to say that our statement was not accurate may be a matter of semantics. You are correct in saying that the people of Israel grumbled, viewed the law as a burden, etc. However, the New Testament makes it clear (Galatians, Romans, Colossians, Hebrews, etc.) that we are all sinners – that no one has ever been able to keep the law of God perfectly – with the exception of God himself, who came to us as the God-man in the person of Jesus.
God did not give the law with the idea that humans would ever keep it perfectly. The law was given to lead us to Christ, and the plan that the Lamb of God would come and perfectly fulfill all of the law’s demands, and die for our sins, and by that means make the way of salvation open to us all – that plan was "from the foundation of the world".
Hope this helps, Paul – thanks for listening – we appreciate the chance to serve you!
In Christ,
Greg Albrecht