From the archives of Oral Roberts – One of two parts
Jesus cut a new covenant for you and me through the shedding of His blood on the Cross. In doing this, He gave us powerful covenant rights to meet our most basic needs:
The covenant right to perfect forgiveness: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34).” Our first basic need is for forgiveness ― forgiveness for our wrongs against God and others. There’s forgiveness through the covenant when we repent and receive the crucified Christ into our hearts.
The covenant right to eternal salvation: “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43).” There’s eternal salvation in the Cross and the promise of resurrection. Jesus’ words to the dying thief were a guarantee that when death closed his eyes, the gates of paradise would open to receive him into everlasting joy.
The covenant right to loving relationships with others: “Woman, behold thy son (John 19:26).” In the midst of His agony, Christ remembered His beloved mother. When you feel as if no one loves you, remember the covenant love at the Cross. There God proved His love for you.
The covenant right to purposeful living: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me (Matthew 27:46)?” God had to turn His back on Jesus because He became a sinner in our place. We know that evil men drove Him to the Cross, but in a greater sense, Christ came into the world to die; He knew that He had to die so that we might live. That was His mission―His destiny. In the new covenant we, too, have a destiny and purpose, which we fulfill as we daily walk with Christ.