Conditionality

In the Old Covenant we often see terms such as “If…then”. They go like this, “If you will do this, this and this, then I (God) will do this, this and this.”. Deut 28:1-2 is an example. “…If you shall hearken diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, to observe and do all his commandments…the Lord your God will set you on high…”.

The condition comes first, then the blessing. The blessings were conditional. The problem was that man did not meet the conditions. This is the very reason for the New Covenant, as Jeremiah said, “I will make a new covenant, not like the old, because they did not continue in my ways.” (Jer 31:31…). Replacing this with a New Covenant which also has conditions would be a waste of time.

It would also nullify the blood of Christ. His is not the blood of bulls and goats. His is not the priesthood of Levi. It is not possible for a covenant made in the blood of Jesus to be conditional or in any way thwarted or nullified. In men’s eyes we might find this hard to see. But from the perspective of God it is sure.

Paul shows the distinction between the Old and New Covenants in Gal 3:12, “And the law is not of faith: but the man that does them shall live in them.”. This means that the man who wishes for the blessings of the law must fulfil the whole law, without failing any single one of the conditions. Paul notes the conditionality of the law in contrast to New Covenant faith.

For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who does not continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them. (Gal 3:10).

Anyone who attempts to fulfil conditions must fulfil them all without fail. Thus is it is not possible to be justified by conditionality. “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God it is evident, For the just shall live by faith.” (Gal 3:11).

Paul showed that the Old Covenant was conditional, while the New Covenant is of promise. In referring to the nature of the Old Covenant, Paul quoted Leviticus 18:5: “You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgements: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the Lord.”. This means that to receive life by meeting conditions, we must meet them all without failing one of them.