Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? (Hebrews 7:11 ESV)
There are two states for every human being: Under the Law, and Under Grace. Those who are under the law are given a law by God in order that they may live righteous lives. This is a covenant of works. Human nature being what it is, no one ever has kept the law perfectly, and so those who are under the law have no means by which they can save themselves. Those under grace, on the other hand, are covered by the atoning sacrifice by Christ on their behalf. The sin they accumulated under the law has been paid for, and now they are free to have an intimate relationship with God who, under the law, was their enemy, but now under grace is their adopted Father.
The question for you today is, which are you? Are you trying desperately to fulfill the law of God, to live a good life? I assure you, that is a fruitless endeavor. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 6:23). Instead, repent of your sin, turn away from it, and put your full trust in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. By so doing you will become a son or daughter of God — not that you are already, but He will adopt you into the body of Christ, that by His grace you may be saved, through the faith that He gives you as a gift Ephesians 2:8-9). Sinner, do not try to accomplish the fulfillment of the law, but instead put your faith in Christ alone, for He came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it for us (Matthew 5:17).
The covenant of works is a covenant no human being on earth can obey. The covenant of grace is a better covenant, already fulfilled by the Son of God, who died on our behalf so that through Him, we may have eternal life as adopted sons and daughters of God.
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