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The only distinction between Old and New Testament
believers is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which began after
the resurrection of Jesus. When our Savior walked on the earth, He
set the agenda for the Kingdom of God at the outset of His ministry
but the people longed for a return to the way it was under Israel's
first three kings. Jesus wasn't militant and fixated on taking
political control; instead, He was meek and steadfast in faith.
The people wanted to restore the Kingdom of Israel but that simply
wasn't part of Jesus' program. He expanded on the sixth and seventh
commandments and said that there was more to them than just murder
and adultery. Jesus also spoke about divorce and addressed the
rampant corruption that existed in Israel with people using an oath
to wiggle themselves out of obligations. He specified how we ought
to conduct relationships when there is personal injury and the power
of unconditional love.
It is impossible to live the way Jesus mandated through sheer
willpower; the only way you can do so is in the power of the Holy
Spirit, and in doing so, you will become the person Jesus wants you
to be. |
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