This statement suggests that God’s character actually changed once Christ came offering grace through His blood. But Hebrews 13:8 states that Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” God’s character has not changed and neither has His offer of mercy to those who obey Him. Even under the Law, at the giving of the ten commandments God offered mercy to those who kept His commandments (Exodus 20:5-6). How was Abraham saved? According to Romans 4, he was saved by grace. How was David saved? According to Romans 4, though under the Law he was saved by grace. Of course, the grace that God offered in Old Testament times was dependent upon the offering of Christ even as His offer of grace in the New Testament. In Romans 11:22, after Paul cited the example of God cutting off Israel because of their disobedience, he said, “Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God…” Both the goodness of God in the Old Testament times as well as the severity of God in the Old Testament times, needs to be considered in New Testament times.
Further, Hebrews 2:1-3 as well as Hebrews 10:26-31 and Hebrews 12:25-29, all tell us that the greater privileges and greater salvation of the New Testament, means that we also have a greater responsibility to righteousness and obedience. The principle is, if they did not escape who had God’s word given through angels and Moses, we certainly will not escape who have the Word given through the Son of God.
Possibly related:
- Do not talk to me about “commandments” and “law.” We are no longer under law, but under grace (Romans 6:14), and therefore we now have freedom in Christ (Galatians 5:1).
- I can’t believe God is as picky as you make Him out to be. If we love Him and are sincere it doesn’t matter if we do everything exactly the way the Bible says.
- You speak of having to obey God on the basis of “commands, examples, and necessary inferences.” Where did you come up with that idea?