2 Corinthians 3:14

"But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away."

In a certain sense, you will never fully understand the New Testament unless you understand the Old Testament.  The Scriptures of the Old Testament find their fulfillment in the new.  Each and every text in the Old Testament is a theological statement about God, whether it be Father, Son, or Holy Spirit. However, you will also never fully understand the Old Testament without the New Testament.

Paul says in this verse that without Christ, there is a veil over the "old covenant", meaning the promises made to God's people Israel (and the entire world through them).  There is truth beyond the original truth and beyond the historical contexts.  Actually, it would be a mistake to read the Old Testament as simply an accounting of the history of the Jewish people.  The Jews did not so painstaking preserve the Scriptures over thousands of years just to have a record of their history.  Rather, what they recorded were God's self revelation through His interactions with his people.  Each and every text is a theological statement, not a historical synopsis.  And without the Spirit of Christ, no one will understand the greater overarching truth of God because Christ is the full revelation of an invisible Father.


So then, just as every text reveals something about Christ, Christ reveals everything about all texts.

Revelation 3:15-16

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

I have heard these words preached twice in my life.  The first time I was a teenager in Catholic Mass and the message went something like this, "God wants you to be so completely for Him or completely against Him.  Those who are lukewarm he will vomit out of his mouth (i.e. reject as something vile)."  I said to myself, "If God is this divisive, then I will be against him.  I do not know him well enough to be for him."

The second time I heard the message, I was a young man who had just received Christ in college and joined a new church.  It went like this, "God wants you to be useful.  Cold water is good for some things and hot water is good for others, but there really is no use for lukewarm water."  The message was healing.  It was gospel.  This is the difference in proper study of God's word.

So my friends, be careful of every single word you say.  Think theologically.  Think about what exactly it is you are saying about God lest you speak lies and slander His holy name by which you are saved.  You never know who might be listening lest you cause one of these little ones to stumble.