By definition, the word “covenant” means an agreement or promise, usually under seal between two or more parties, especially for the performance of some action. In times past, one could attend a marriage ceremony and hear how the couple had “covenanted” together. It refers to their coming together as husband and as wife, and being faithful to keep the promises made to each other as such. The concept of “covenant” is prevalent in the pages of Scripture as well. There are covenants where God is solely responsible for the conditions of the covenant, as in His covenant with Noah not to destroy the world with a flood anymore. The Law of Moses, however, carried conditions on both parties, where God promised to bless the Israelites as His people if they were faithful in keeping the conditions of the covenant. It is expressed in the phrase, “I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people” (Leviticus 26:12).
When we come in obedience to the Gospel, we enter a covenant relationship with God through the blood of Christ. Christ’s covenant is far better than that of the Law (Hebrews 12:24). The terms of this covenant contain God’s promises to us as His people. “In the same way He also took the cup after supper and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant established by My blood; it is shed for you’” (Luke 22:20). “By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth so that we would be the first fruits of His creatures” (James 1:18). “By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires” (2 Peter 1:4).
The terms of this covenant bring us into a relationship of commitment and faithfulness to God. “But as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16). “Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me’” (Luke 9:23). “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
There are no blessings the world can offer that compare with being in a covenant relationship with God through Christ! Access to the Father and the cleansing of the blood of Christ bring forgiveness, grace, love, mercy, hope and more. However, what if one decides to live for self instead? What if one wants God to keep His part of the covenant, but not live as one in covenant with Him should? The Hebrew writer, in speaking to those who were engaged in deliberate sin (10:26) reminded them, “How much worse punishment do you think one will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God, regarded as profane the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and insulted the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:29). Paul also said, “Therefore, consider God’s kindness and severity: severity toward those who have fallen but God’s kindness toward you – if you remain in His kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off” (Romans 11:22).
There is no reason one should know the severity of God’s judgment except by one’s own choice. Why forsake the covenant when living in it offers the best? In this day and age, it’s too easy to blame anything and everyone for one’s behavior, or to simply deny one is doing what displeases God. Such is a denial of the covenant we committed ourselves by which to live, to obey and to give ourselves completely. May we be renewed in the covenant God offers us in Christ, of all that God promises and delivers, and of all we can and should be in Christ. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
