The New Covenant, established through Jesus Christ, represents a shift from ritualistic observances to a focus on inner faith and a personal relationship with God. While the New Covenant moves away from external adherence to rituals (Lev 23, Col 2:16–17, Rom 14:5–6, Gal 5:1), it still calls for spiritual discipline. This discipline is not about earning God’s favour but about nurturing one’s faith and aligning one’s life with God’s will.
In the Synoptic Gospels (Matt 9:14–17, Mark 2:18–22, and Luke 5:33–39), people asked Jesus why His disciples do not fast like the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees. Jesus’ response provides profound insight into the nature of His ministry and the newness of His teaching. He first suggests that the disciples will indeed fast when the appropriate time comes: “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast” (Matt 9:15). This indicates that their practices would adapt according to the seasons of their spiritual journey. Jesus then uses the metaphors of new cloth and new wine to suggest that the New Covenant involves a change of existing religious practices. This transformation is characterised by inner renewal and a personal relationship with God, rather than rigid adherence to traditional rituals.
Jesus made it clear that He had not come to abolish the law but to fulfil it, providing the means to live out its true intent. This fulfilment means understanding the spirit of the law rather than just the letter (Matt 5:17–20).
The New Covenant emphasises worshipping God with a sincere heart and genuine faith. Jesus says in John 4:23–24, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
True worship, therefore, is not about performing specific rituals or adhering to particular religious customs, but about engaging with God honestly and spiritually. The New Covenant encourages believers to cultivate a personal and genuine relationship with God. This relationship is based on faith, love, and obedience rather than merely following a set of external rules. Jesus criticised the Pharisees for their focus on outward appearances and neglect of inner righteousness (Matthew 23:25–28). He called for a change of the heart, which leads to true obedience and godly living.
Prayer remains a vital spiritual discipline within the New Covenant. Jesus often withdrew to pray, showing the importance of regular communication with God (Luke 5:16). Maintaining a regular time of prayer is essential for personal spiritual growth, mental health, communal unity, and overall resilience in faith. It ensures that believers remain connected to God, rooted in His word, and guided by His Spirit.
Regular prayer cultivates spiritual discipline. Jesus set an example of consistency in prayer (Luke 5:16), helping believers grow in faith and develop a closer relationship with God. Prayer aligns one’s will with God’s will and seeks His guidance (Matt 6:9–13). The Bible encourages continual prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 urges believers to “pray without ceasing,” emphasising the importance of an ongoing dialogue with God. Figures like Daniel (Daniel 6:10) and David (Psalm 55:17) exemplify a disciplined prayer life, praying multiple times a day.
Prayer can bring peace and reduce anxiety, contributing to overall emotional well-being. Phil 4:6-7 instructs believers to present their requests to God in prayer, which brings peace that surpasses understanding. If we pray as often as we worry, our worries will dissipate quickly.
Prayer, as encouraged in James 1:5, helps believers seek God’s wisdom and guidance in life decisions, receiving generously from Him to align their choices with His purposes, while also providing strength to resist temptation, as taught by Jesus in Matthew 26:41, enabling believers to face spiritual battles and maintain a steadfast faith.
The New Covenant, through Jesus Christ, emphasises a shift from ritualistic observances to inner faith and authentic worship. This does not lead to indiscipline or frivolousness but calls for a more genuine, heartfelt relationship with God, grounded in spiritual discipline and ethical living. Regular prayer remains a cornerstone of this disciplined life, fostering personal growth, community unity, and resilience in faith. By understanding and living out the true intent of the law, as fulfilled in Christ, believers can cultivate a vibrant and sincere faith that honours God in spirit and truth.
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk