Are You Still Living Under the Old Covenant? - Josue Ibarra - Charis Daily - Season 17 Ep. 20

Summary

Josue Ibarra argues that Christians live under the New Covenant established through Jesus, which he describes as superior to the Old Covenant. Its foundation is not a person’s ability to earn righteousness by keeping the law, but faith in Jesus and reliance on God’s grace.

Main ideas

• The New Covenant offers “better promises.” Citing Hebrews 8:6, Ibarra says Jesus is the mediator of a better covenant. He emphasizes that this does not mean God changed; rather, the covenant and people’s relationship to God changed through Jesus.
• The law’s purpose was to reveal the need for a Savior. Ibarra says the law was not evil: it served as a guide that showed people their shortcomings and inability to make themselves righteous. He compares it to an earlier, less effective means of travel—useful in its time, but surpassed by a better way.
• God’s presence now dwells in believers. Ibarra contrasts the Old Testament ark of the covenant, which represented God’s presence, with the New Covenant teaching that the Holy Spirit lives in believers. He recalls being deeply moved by the story of Uzzah, who died after touching the ark, and says this made him especially grateful for Jesus’ sacrifice and the mercy of the New Covenant.
• Righteousness comes through faith, not self-effort. Under the Old Covenant, Ibarra says, people sought to meet the law’s requirements themselves. Under the New Covenant, Jesus has paid the price, and people are made right with God through faith in Him.
• Grace addresses failure without excusing it. Ibarra recounts a time when he made mistakes at work and felt ashamed. A colleague reminded him to consider how God sees him. He says people should repent and change direction, but not live in guilt and condemnation; they can rely on God’s grace while repairing their relationships and learning from their actions.
• The law is written inwardly, and spiritual fruit grows from a changed life. Ibarra contrasts law written on stone with God’s work within believers. He uses two tree images: outward religious behavior without spiritual life is like decorating a dead tree, while a healthy fruit tree produces fruit naturally when it is cared for. In his view, believers grow by living in relationship with God and renewing their minds, rather than merely trying to appear righteous.
• Believers act from acceptance, not to earn it. Ibarra contrasts working to please God with working because one is already loved and accepted by God. He says grace motivates actions that go beyond simply avoiding wrongdoing—for example, not only refraining from stealing but also becoming generous, or not merely avoiding lies but speaking truth boldly.
• Faith is the central response. Ibarra stresses that background, personality, race, intelligence, and past mistakes do not determine a person’s standing with God; faith in Jesus does. He encourages those seeking reconciliation with God to begin by trusting what Jesus has done, rather than starting with a checklist of behaviors they must change.

Testimony and ministry messages

• Ibarra shares a written testimony from Maria of Green Bay, Wisconsin. She said that after hearing Andrew Wommack teach about healing, she prayed healing Scriptures over two injured birds, and both later recovered and flew away.
• Ibarra thanks the ministry’s partners for helping spread its teachings and says the testimony illustrates people gaining confidence to pray and minister. He encourages Maria to use that confidence to pray for people as well.
• He also promotes the free booklet Grace: The Power of the Gospel, which he presents as a resource for understanding the New Covenant.

Speakers and sources featured

• Josue Ibarra — host and main speaker (the subtitles render his name as “Joshua Barra”).
• Maria, from Green Bay, Wisconsin — source of the written testimony about praying for two birds.
• Andrew Wommack — referenced as the teacher whose broadcast informed Maria and as the author associated with the promoted booklet.
• Wendell Paar — referenced as the instructor whose Old Testament lecture prompted Ibarra’s reflection.
• Biblical sources cited: Hebrews 8:6; 2 Samuel 6:6–7; 1 Chronicles 15:2, 13; 1 Corinthians 3:16 and 6:19; Colossians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 3:7, 9; and Galatians 5:1. Ibarra also refers to Peter and to the account of Jesus’ baptism.