Covenant Relationship

The concept of Covenant is one the Bible's most important and consistent themes.

And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28 ESV

We live in a time and culture where commitment is more often than not rejected and submission to the authority of God and His Word is considered unnecessary in practice if not in principle.

From the beginning, God was establishing and defining immutable principles and promises that would characterize His covenant relationship with man.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4 NLT

When we choose a casual relationship, instead of a covenant relationship, with our creator we miss much of the power in His promises.

The power of God’s promises are experienced in a covenant relationship with Him!

Disobedient choices will keep you from living in God’s promised land.

And who was it who rebelled against God, even though they heard his voice? Wasn’t it the people Moses led out of Egypt? And who made God angry for forty years? Wasn’t it the people who sinned, whose corpses lay in the wilderness? And to whom was God speaking when he took an oath that they would never enter his rest? Wasn’t it the people who disobeyed him? Hebrews 3:16-18 NLT

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 16:25 ESV

“We think we can have God, Jesus Christ, and eternal life and all the blessings that go with it on our terms. That we can interpret for ourselves what it means to be in covenant with God. Our logic is dangerously skewed!” Kay Arthur - The Covenant God

God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God. For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said, “In my anger I took an oath” They will never enter my place of rest,’” even though this rest has been ready since he made the world. We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.” But in the other passage God said, “They will never enter my place of rest.” So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” Hebrews 4:1-7 NLT

It’s not just the concept of covenant, but the committed, submitted relationship that packs the punch.

All people will die for their own sins—those who eat the sour grapes will be the ones whose mouths will pucker. Jeremiah 31:30 NLT

But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the LORD. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Jeremiah 31:33 NLT

A covenant relationship with Jesus unlocks and releases the power of His Grace, Purposes and Promises in our lives.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NLT

Settle this in your heart: Whether I am up or down, the Lord Jesus is the same. Whether I sing or sigh, the promise is true and the Promiser is faithful. Whether I stand on the summit or am hidden in the vale the covenant stands fast and everlasting love abides. Charles Spurgeon