The Testament Is in Effect

The Testament Is in Effect

Christ established a testament, a will. He has now died, and this testament is in effect, because a testament only goes into effect after the death of the testator. It has no power while the one who created it is still living.

Tremendous wealth, treasures that are of immense, eternal value, is hidden in this testament.

We who are Gentiles according to the flesh have become children of Abraham. Rom. 2:28-29. As such, we are partakers of the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God and the promises. Rom. 9:4-5.

If “the body” could cast such a glorious shadow before death, how much more glorious is the substance in the body which cast the shadow? By the death of Christ, we are placed in the body that cast this blessed shadow. The testament grants us access to all the heavenly treasures which were revealed to Moses on the mountain so that he could make a pattern. We bear these glorious things in earthen vessels, so that the abundant power will be of God and not of us. Yet our hope is that by Christ’s resurrection we will also be raised with Him and receive a glorified body, the glory and power of which will correspond to the inner glory. Then the earthen vessel will pass away, and we will be at home with the Lord forever.

Because we have such an awesome goal, we are exhorted to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. For although your outward body can appear to be none the worse for a frivolous life, your spirit within suffers from it, your glory in eternity gets smaller and your soul may be damaged.

The glory of Christ’s testament is imparted by the Holy Spirit and is only revealed in the spirit, though it also gives the body the hope that it will be conformed to His glorious body. The testament requires faithfulness and self-control on the part of the recipients, so that they may receive the full content of the wealth of these glorious treasures.

Are you availing yourself of all that is in the testament? Do you love your soul enough to do that? He who entrusted the testament to us longs that we make full use of it.