Covenants of Promise by Pastor Scott
Covenants of Promise – established in grace & entered into by faith
The Covenants & Promises of God found in Scripture are amazing! There are seven or eight major covenants that most studies emphasize, but I believe there are many more to discover if we had a desire to seek and study the theme of covenant more fully. A covenant requires at least two parties and in some cases involves a third party to serve as mediator. Some Biblical covenants are unconditional and based wholly on the grace of God, while other covenants are conditional and require obedience on the “lesser” party, but even conditional covenants from God are woven with wonders of grace, initiated by the “greater” party – GOD.
The covenants of God are initiated by God; they reveal God’s character to us and the conditions are for our good!
In Galatians 3:15, Paul gets us thinking about the covenants of God by using the example of human covenants:
“Brothers & sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Even with a human covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified or duly established. The promises were made to Abraham and to his seed. It does not say, “and to seeds,” referring to many, but referring to one, “and to your offspring” (seed), who is Christ. What I mean is: the law, which came 430 years later, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring/seed should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by a mediator. A mediator implies more than one, but God is one. Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Absolutely not! If a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” Galatians 3:15-22
Covenantal questions of reflection on our relationships with one another and with God:
*What personal covenants (business, marriage, family, etc.) have you entered into with another person?
*Have you and the other party been completely faithful to fulfill the covenant conditions and promises?
*Have you ever tried to establish a covenant with a superior, “higher party” or God?
“God, if you will do _______, then I will do _______.” How has that worked out for you?
*Have you ever said, “Yes” or “I do” or “I will” to any of the covenant promises that God has made to you?
God always keeps His promises, never breaks His covenants and He fulfills His covenant promises in Jesus Christ:
“For all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him, our “Amen” is spoken to the glory of God.” 2 Cor. 1:20
In Jesus Christ we have “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” 1 Peter 1:4
We have been adopted into such a blessed family, with a rich and glorious inheritance in Christ Jesus:
And if you are Christ’s (belonging), then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”Gal. 3:29
Oh the matchless grace of God,
Pastor Scott
