Richard Ritenbaugh reiterates that people are attracted to magic because they think it brings quick results, bringing them their fondest desires, erasing their fears and providing for their needs, altruistically cleaning up the annoyances of the culture and the people around them, and fashioning the world around them in their own image. However, ridding ourselves of sin and building character is not a matter of hocus pocus; it takes intense work. Like our Israelite forbears, we are dependent upon God for our escape from Egypt as slaves of sin. We are reconciled to God by Christ's death, but we are saved through His life-His active work as Mediator of the New Covenant and our High Priest, yielding to His leadership. We are obligated to follow Christ's lead, living a lifetime of good works, overcoming our nature and mortifying our flesh, becoming transformed into a new creation. The New Covenant is a contractual agreement, requiring Christ to work in us; we must fulfill our part of the contract, actively and vigorously mortify the flesh, walking in the spirit, depending upon Christ to fill in the deficits and gaps. God's grace makes us perpetual debtors, forcing us to put away the leavening of sin.

Carnality and spirituality Contractual agreement Covenant Egypt as a type of sin Fleeing from sin Flesh and the spirit From the foundation of the world God's work Grace Jesus Christ as High Priest Farmer metaphor Grace Jesus Christ as Mediator of the New Covenant Law of sin and death Law of his mind Lord Acton's Dictum Lying Magic Power Reconciliation Repentance Slavery to son Soldier metaphor Unleavened Bread Vessels of dishonor Vessels of honor Walking Wilderness wandering Workmanship, God's Works