By Covenant, Not Contract
Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any” (Isaiah 44:6-8, ESV).
Prophets like Isaiah were all about being God’s spokesmen. They often began statements with, “Thus says the LORD.” And in the Bible, “LORD” is the title for God as a covenant God.
We have a covenant relationship with God—one that is not contingent upon our conduct—because that’s what He decided. He is the covenant-making-and-keeping God. He is not a contract God, and the difference has eternal significance.
Imagine you have an appointment with a dentist and decide not to keep it. When the dentist finds out, he won’t give you another thought and will just go on to the next patient. Or if you make a deal to sell your house, but suddenly your buyer walks away—the relationship is over. That’s how contracts work.
A covenant is not a contract. When the Bible reveals God as a covenant God, it means He has entered into a relationship that cannot be changed by your behavior.
If God was a contract God, when you act incorrectly or live sinfully the contract would be broken. But a covenant is a relationship that’s not dependent on the performance of one of the parties. Instead, all the responsibility lies with the one participant who can keep the covenant—in this case, God Himself.
If you’re saved by faith in His Son Jesus, God says, I’m making a covenant commitment to you. I’m entering into a relationship with you that you can’t mess up in any way.
The prophet Isaiah understood this—he described God’s covenant relationship with us as being like a mother’s love for her newborn child (Isaiaha 49:15). If you’re a parent and your child fails to obey or do something you ask of them, does it end the relationship? Absolutely not. While failures may hurt fellowship, they don’t destroy covenant relationship.
God has declared His unchanging partnership with His children through a covenant. You are in relationship with One who is like no other, anywhere, anytime! Because of His covenant love, God will forgive you in His mercy and satisfy you with His kindness. His life in you can bring an absolute delight that you will never find apart from Him.
Even though you may stumble many times and in many ways (James 3:2),“Fear not.” Our God is the ultimate covenant keeper.
Journal
When was the last time you let your performance dictate the closeness of your relationship with the Lord?
Do you believe God loves you no more on your good days and no less on your bad days? How can you strengthen your faith in His covenant-keeping character?
Covenant-keeping Lord, how glad I am to be in Your presence, boldly coming to the throne of grace to receive what You have for me today. There are needs to mention and gratitude to express, but I know You have drawn me close to simply experience covenant with You. Your grace is so amazing! Though I am unworthy, You welcome me as Your child and assure me of Your love. I am eternally grateful You are the covenant-keeping God! In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Our Journey devotionals are brought to you by Change Partners of Walk in the Word.
Source: http://www.jamesmacdonald.com/teaching/devotionals/2014-04-11/
The post By Covenant, Not Contract first appeared on Koa Sinag Ministry.
