Conclusion of A Prophecy Fulfilled

Finally Jehovah promised:  "I shall forgive their error, and their sin I shall remember no more." (Jeremiah 31:34b)   The  Law of Moses included hundreds of written regulations that Israelites were called on to obey.  (Deuteronomy 28:1, 2, 15) All who broke  the Law offered sacrifices to cover their sins.  (Leviticus 4:1-7; 16:1-31)  Many Jews came to believe that they could become righteous through their own works according to Law.  Christians, though, realize that they can never earn righteousness  by their own works. They cannot avoid sinning.  (Romans 5:12) Under the new covenant, a righteous standing before God is possible only on the basis of Jesus' sacrifice. However, such standing is a gift, an undeserved kindness from God. (Romans 3:20, 23, 24) Jehovah still demands obedience of his servants. Paul says that those in the new covenant are "under the law toward Christ." -1 Corinthians 9:21.

Hence, for Christians too there is a sacrifice for sin, but one of far more value than the sacrifices under the Law covenant. Paul wrote: "Every priest [under the Law covenant] takes his station from day to day to render public service and to offer the same sacrifices often, as these are at no time able to take sins away completely.  But [Jesus] offered one sacrifice for sins perpetually and sat down at the right hand of God." (Hebrews 10,11, 12)  Since Christians in the new covenant exercise faith in Jesus' sacrifice, Jehovah declares them righteous. Jehovah declares them righteous without sin, and thus in a position to be anointed as his spiritual  sons.  (Romans 5:1; 8:33, 34; Hebrews 10:14-18) When they do sin because of human imperfection, they can beg Jehovah's forgiveness, and on the basis of Jesus' sacrifice, Jehovah forgives them.  (1 John 2:1, 2) However, if they choose a course of deliberate sin, they lose their righteous standing and the privilege of being participants in the new covenant. -Hebrews 2:2, 3; 6:4-8; 10:26-31. 

Next time: The Old Covenant and the New

From the Watchtower magazine, 1998