2nd Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
This passage of scripture teaches us that all scripture was written under the direct inspiration and supervision of God, and because of this, both the old and new testaments are necessary for us to have a well-rounded view of the plan of salvation, and the prerequisites for accessing all of the promises of God. There is a current view adopted by many in Christendom today, that the old testament was for the Hebrews primarily, and has no relevance or application to us today. On the other hand, some Christians view the new testament as being written for the benefit of the Christian church and as they erroneously believe, is all-sufficient in informing and instructing us in the way that we should go.
But nothing can be further from the truth, for those who separate the old and new testaments from being a complete whole, can never come to a balanced understanding of who God is, neither will they fully understand or appreciate The Christ of the new testament. The reason for this is because the same loving Jesus of the new testament, is the same God of the old, and therefore when we adopt the one-sided view of only studying the new testament, we will almost certainly harbor an imperfect and unbalanced view of Christ's character, restricting Him in our minds to being a God of love alone, instead of a God of mercy and of judgment.
The result of this one-sided view has led many to presumption, in that millions now hold the erroneous concept that Jesus is too loving to execute the judgments written, and as a direct result, a "New Jesus" has emerged, who allows His followers to do as they please while He stands idly by with an attitude of total submission to the human agent, and at the same time guaranteeing eternal salvation to us on our own terms. Let's read:
2nd Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
The Bible is very clear about the historical dealings of Christ in the old testament experiences of prophets and people alike, and therefore the information and instructions given in the two dispensations are essential for a correct view of our Lord and savior. In writing about this very issue, the apostle Paul reminds us that it was Christ in the old testament, who administered both both mercy and judgments in the wilderness experiences of the Hebrews, and Jesus Himself also reiterates the same point in many of His conversations with the Jews, who were hard pressed to believe in His preexistence. Let's read:
1st Corinthians 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
John 8:54 Jesus answered" ...... 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
Isaiah 63:9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. 10 But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
The same Jesus, who for many centuries has stretched out His hands in loving entreaty, always pleading with sinners to turn and repent whilst probation lingers, is the very same Jesus who will soon change His priestly robes in exchange for garments of warfare, to execute the judgments written in His word, upon those who persist in clinging to sin. When this occurs, those who have clung to the view that the old testament is not applicable to Christians today, will have a very rude awakening, to find out too late, that Christ is loving and kind, but is also just, and will by no means spare the guilty. This sacred truth has been written in the Bible in several places, and is now scheduled to come to pass in the very near future. Let's read:
Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Let us be sure to study and accept the entire Bible as it is given to us, for the old testament looks forward to Christ, whereas the new testament looks both backward and forward, to Calvary, and to His second coming respectively, so that anyone searching for a balanced understanding of The God whom we serve, can have that privilege through a careful study of the entire canon of scripture. "Good night" and God bless!