***The new covenant I am referring to is the convenant that was put in place upon the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. ****
And you have completly missed the lesson that Christ gave to the rich young ruler.
1. He wanted to do something to EARN eternal life.
2. Christ said obey the law.
3. the man said he had. ( we know that is impossible).
4. Christ said sell all he had and follow HIM.
5. the rich man refused.
Lesson: Salvation is a free gift from God. It cannot be earned. This is why Christ told him to earn it he must do the IMPOSSIBLE.
Oh, but you don't believe that, do you.
Go ahead, run over to James.
See my reply to Bremenboy on this subject here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1710069/posts?page=4#4
I believe what the Word of God says, and that means all of it. I can't earn salvation, neither can anyone else. All I have to do is accept the free gift that God has offered, and accept it on His terms. How is that earning something?
Thank you for being the first person I have seen to interpret this passage correctly.