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What is a Covenant?
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tom, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/26/2007
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A covenant in theological terms is an agreement between man and God which prescribes the duties and obligations of man and the corresponding response by God when those obligations are fulfilled and when they are not. In its most basic form, every covenant takes the form of God commanding, "I will be their God, and they will be my people." (Jeremiah 31:33c) and then stipulating the terms of the relationship. In its details, a covenant describes the way in which God expects man to behave, the rewards that he will receive for obedience and the punishments he will endure for disobedience.
A covenant differs from a traditional, legal contract in several important ways. First, there is inherent inequality between the two parties in the agreement. The conditions and stipulations of the covenant are dictated and imposed by God and man has no ability to negotiate the terms. Man may choose to live in covenantal faithfulness and redeem the promises of God, or may choose to disregard his obligations and accept the consequences, but that is all the freedom that man has in the relationship.
Second, a traditional legal contract may typically be altered after the fact by agreement by all parties to the contract. Conversely, a convent is unchanging. God may supersede the covenant or may subsequently reveal additional details of the covenant, but it cannot be altered by man, nor will God alter it after it has been established.
A branch of theology called "covenant theology" attempts to categorize Gods biblical revelation as a series of successive covenants. Though there is not universal agreement among theologians about the details, these are generally broken into two major categories.
Covenant of Works
This was the covenant which God established with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Though the word covenant is not to be found in this account, nevertheless we can find the provisions and stipulations of the covenant clearly outlined in the first three chapters of Genesis. Though it has been superseded and is obsolete (see Heb 8:13), the covenant of works is still applicable today for all those who reject the covenant of grace. The apostle Paul notes that were it possible for mankind to fully obey the law, he would be rewarded with life (Gal 3:12) yet since this is impossible for fallen man, the penalty of death will be imposed on everyone (Rom 6:23) except those who place their faith in Jesus Christ.
Covenant of Grace
This is the covenant which God established in the wake of man's fall in order that mankind could have some hope of salvation. Under this new covenant, Gods promise of life is no longer dependent upon mans obedience; it is dependent upon his faith in Jesus Christ.
The covenant has not changed since this fall, however it has been revealed in different forms at different times throughout history. There is just a glimpse of Gods promises revealed to Noah after the flood, when God vows to never again flood the earth (Gen 9:8-17). The covenant was more fully revealed to Abraham in Genesis chapter 17. Subsequently, through Moses and David, more of the details of the covenant are revealed.
Finally, the covenant is fully revealed and manifested in the coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus makes this explicit when he alludes to prophecies in Isaiah 49:8 and Jeremiah 31:34. (See Luke 22:20). Jesus fulfillment of the covenant finds its fullest treatment and explanation in the Book of Hebrews, chapters 8 & 9.
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Comments
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Isn't our part of the covenant of Grace, obedience to God. Reference John If you love me you will obey me.
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12/31/2007 8:02:22 PM
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anonymous
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The gift of grace is given regardless of obedience - faith is the key and the only requirement. We will be saved by our faith in Christ alone regardless of our works. However, we give our obedience out of love, for it is the very least we can offer. Anyone who does not try to live according to God's law must not have Christ in him (1 John), but it is not the works that save us, it is the faith. The works come from the faith, which must come first.
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12/31/2007 8:06:35 PM
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arsindelve, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries
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That is why my username is "solagratia" or "grace only."
God WILL hold you to HIS covenant. He made the covenant. You chose to agree to it. God does notb reak promises, and he will not let you break HIS covenant.
Kim
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1/10/2008 9:23:26 PM
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solagratia, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/10/2008
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