For many believers, opening the Bible feels like stepping into a spiritual minefield. You read about God’s unconditional love in the New Testament, but then you flip to the Old Testament and find complex dietary restrictions, animal sacrifices, and severe judgments. This “covenant confusion” is the primary reason many people stop reading their Bibles altogether.
To read the Word effectively, you must understand that while all of the Bible is for you, not all of it is written to you as a New Covenant believer. Here is how to navigate the Old Testament without losing your revelation of Grace.
1. Use the “Cross Filter”
The most important rule for biblical interpretation is that Jesus is the center of the story. Every Law, every sacrifice, and every prophecy in the Old Testament was a “shadow” pointing toward the “substance,” which is Christ.
- Shadow vs. Substance: When you read about the Tabernacle or the Sabbath, ask yourself: “How did Jesus fulfill this?”
- The Goal of the Law: The Law was a “tutor” meant to lead us to Christ. Once you have arrived at Christ, you no longer need to live under the jurisdiction of the tutor.
- Finished Work: If the Old Testament Law demands a payment or a ritual that Jesus already provided on the Cross, you are no longer legally obligated to perform it.
2. Distinguish Between the Covenants
The Bible is divided into two major agreements: the Old Covenant (Law) and the New Covenant (Grace). Mixing them is the fastest way to get confused.
- The Old Covenant: A conditional agreement based on man’s performance. “If you obey, I will bless; if you disobey, I will curse.”
- The New Covenant: An unconditional agreement based on Jesus’ performance. “Because He obeyed, you are blessed.”
- The Transition Point: The New Covenant did not begin at the birth of Jesus, but at His death. This means that even in the Gospels, Jesus was often speaking to people still under the Law to show them their need for a Savior.
3. Identify the Three Types of Law
Not all Old Testament Laws were created for the same purpose. Understanding these categories helps you see what has been “passed away” and what reveals God’s eternal nature.
| Law Category | Purpose | Status for the Believer |
| Ceremonial | Sacrifices, feasts, and rituals. | Fulfilled: Jesus is our final sacrifice and our eternal rest. |
| Civil | Rules for the ancient nation of Israel. | Expired: We are part of a spiritual Kingdom, not a political one. |
| Moral | The Ten Commandments; reflecting God’s character. | Internalized: Written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit. |
4. Read the Old Testament for “Types and Shadows”
Instead of reading the Old Testament as a list of rules to follow, read it as a treasure map. The stories of Joseph, David, and Moses are “types” of Christ.
- The Passover Lamb: When you read Exodus, you don’t look for a lamb to kill; you see Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
- The Bronze Serpent: You don’t look for a pole to look at; you see Jesus being lifted up so that whoever believes in Him will have life.
- The Priesthood: You don’t need a human priest to go between you and God; you recognize Jesus as your High Priest who has opened the way.
5. Let the New Testament Interpret the Old
If you are ever confused by a passage in the Old Testament, look for how the New Testament explains it. The New is in the Old contained; the Old is in the New explained.
- Hebrews is Key: The Book of Hebrews is essentially a manual on how to read the Old Testament through the lens of the New Covenant.
- Romans and Galatians: These books explain exactly why we are no longer under the “letter” of the Law but under the “spirit” of Grace.
Conclusion
Reading the Bible without confusion requires you to keep your “Grace glasses” on at all times. The Old Testament is a beautiful record of God’s faithfulness and a prophetic look at the coming King. It is not a heavy burden of rules designed to weigh you down, but a testimony of the One who came to set you free. When you see Jesus on every page, the confusion disappears and the Word comes alive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does “fulfilled” mean the Law is gone?
Jesus said He did not come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it. Think of it like a mortgage: once you pay the final installment, the contract is “fulfilled.” It isn’t destroyed, but it no longer has any legal claim over you because the debt is settled.
Should I still read the Old Testament?
Yes! It is full of wisdom, encouragement, and revelations of God’s character. However, you read it for revelation, not for regulation.
What about the Ten Commandments?
The Ten Commandments are holy and good, but they cannot give you life. Under the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit in you, which naturally exceeds the requirements of the Ten Commandments without the pressure of the Law.
Why did God give the Law if He knew we couldn’t keep it?
The Law was given to “stop every mouth” and make the whole world guilty before God. Its purpose was to show us that we could never be good enough on our own, forcing us to look to a Savior.
This article is part of a series answering difficult questions about grace and the New Covenant.