THE NEW AND LIVING WAY

Summary Scripture;

Hebrews 10:19-20

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

This new and living way has been taught in the Body of Christ, yet many do not truly understand what it means. We understand that we were once separated from God because of sin. We used our bodies (the flesh) to commit sin. Therefore, the flesh of Jesus brought about a new and living way in that we do not have to be separated from God because of sins in the flesh. This does not mean that we are to continue to sin in the flesh and use the blood of Jesus as a covering that appeases God, for God forbids sin in the flesh.

Romans 6:1-3

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

This lesson is an attempt to begin your training in studying the Word of God. It will also address methodology in your delivery of the message. We will start with our summary scripture as stated above (Hebs 10:19,20) and from there I will show you how to pivot to the next scripture and to the next. With each connecting scripture we will extract the pertinent information that allows you to validate or confirm the point at hand. The key here is to learn how to connect the scriptures in such a way that provides a path for the listeners or readers to follow. Let’s begin.

Hebrews 10:19-20

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

“By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.” The writer here is comparing the sacrifices found in the Mosaic Law with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Most theologians who teach this scripture, explain that once Jesus died on the cross, this death was the payment of the penalty for the sins of the world. Thus, the death of Christ provided forgiveness of sins for us. This is true, but we must go deeper.

Therefore, we will proceed to our next scripture that promises to shed more light on this subject. Let us not forget that our goal here, is to explain the new and living way which points to the salvation provided by Jesus Christ. But in doing so, you must learn to take bits and pieces of the base scripture and prove them before you can really formulate a comprehensive exposition. You must first decide what it is you want to prove or what direction you want the study to take. In this case, we want to discuss the fact that Jesus is the ‘New’ and ‘Living’ way to God; in contrast to the Law. Therefore, we are going to start with the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

Romans 5:10

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

This verse tells us that once Jesus died on the cross the whole world was reconciled to God. However, some suggest that Jesus only died for those who are born-again. We need to determine whether that is true or false.

The following scripture proves that Jesus died for everyone.

1 John 2:2

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

This scripture is very clear and specific. Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, not just for those who are now born-again. Though He died for the sins of the world, the whole world is and will not be saved. If you go back to your previous scripture you can expound on this fact.

Romans 5:10

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Please note; “We were reconciled.” In some cases, the word “reconciled” is used to convey that one is put in right standing, or saved, or made acceptable unto God. However, in this passage, Paul is contrasting it to salvation; in that he states, “We were reconciled by his death, but saved by his life. Therefore, here, the word reconciled, is used to mean given access to God. This means that the entire world could now approach God for salvation. Before Jesus came, only the nation of Israel had any access to the Father. Even so, they could only do so through the offerings and sacrifices of bulls, rams and goats, and even then, only the High Priest could enter beyond the veil, accessing the presence of God .

Now we will focus on the latter part of the verse; “we shall be saved by his life.” This also confirms that Paul is not using the word reconciliation in this passage to mean salvation, but as stated earlier, to be given access. To be saved by his life, brings the resurrection into sharp focus. Unlike the bulls and goats who remained dead, Jesus was brought to life again.

Acts 13:32,33

32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

The word begotten here means to be brought into existence by or as if by a parent.

Many in the Body of Christ may never have considered that the resurrection of Jesus Christ also provided him with a born-again experience. The scripture above confirms this. “This day” referred to the day of His resurrection. Not was He only risen from the dead, but He was raised up again (a second time) and this time brought into existence by His Father, God. This experience was necessary if He was to be preeminent in all things regarding the Church. In other words, everything we experienced, He had to experience.

Romans 8:11

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

The word quicken means to bring or make alive. Jesus was brought alive by the Spirit and so were we.

Romans 5:11

And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Here, Paul notes that we have received the atonement. Of course, he is speaking of those who are born-again. Though Jesus died for the whole world, the whole world has not received the atonement. How do we know that the whole world hasn’t received the atonement? For it is not uncommon to hear the doctrine, “we are all God’s children”, (making reference to the whole world).

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The scripture says that if we believe we will not perish. That is the criteria for salvation; belief or faith. If one does not believe that Jesus is the propitiation for their them, then they shall surely die in their sins. Propitiation means to appease a deity, incurring divine favor or avoiding divine retribution (Strong’s Concordance). Jesus is the only way that God is appeased. Therefore, though the atonement is for everyone, everyone will not take advantage of it. Some will choose not to believe while others will allow their faith to embrace the plan of God. But what does belief really mean?

Romans 10:10

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

It is important that we identify what God calls belief. Many believe it is sufficient to give verbal or mental assent to the existence of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is not so. Belief or faith should take us all the way to receiving. The moment one believes on Jesus and receives His Spirit, they are saved. Believing unto righteousness is the requirement for salvation.

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Listen to what mankind’s faith is:

1. I believe that there is a God.

2. I believe that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

This is what one must believe and seek Him diligently. Now you need to answer the following question. What is the evidence or reward for truly seeking the Lord?

Romans 12:3

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

The reward is the receipt of the measure of faith. The measure of faith is Jesus Christ and His Spirit. If one brings his faith to God, he will give him the measure of the Spirit which is the life of Jesus Christ. Now we can rest in His faith (His life). So, the manifestation or evidence that I have diligently sought after God is the receipt of the Spirit of God. This is believing all the way to righteousness, believing all the way to receiving Christ. This is encouraging and reassuring because it means that we can simply rest in Jesus’ faith. This takes the stress out of believing God.