The Doctrine of Covenants
Covenants play an important role in the
Bible. Most simply, covenants are promises God
makes to an individual or group. Some covenants, such as God’s covenant with Israel
through Moses, were conditional – dependent on the people’s response. God promised
abundant blessings if the people obeyed His commands. Other biblical covenants stood on
God’s unchangeable commitments to fulfill His promises. God’s vow to make Abraham’s
offspring into a great nation and land rested on God’s resolve to form and deliver His
people.
makes to an individual or group. Some covenants, such as God’s covenant with Israel
through Moses, were conditional – dependent on the people’s response. God promised
abundant blessings if the people obeyed His commands. Other biblical covenants stood on
God’s unchangeable commitments to fulfill His promises. God’s vow to make Abraham’s
offspring into a great nation and land rested on God’s resolve to form and deliver His
people.
Jeremiah laid out multiple ways Israel
and Judah failed to keep God’s conditional covenant.
He described God’s judgment under the Babylonians that God had promised if the people
disobeyed – and they did. However, Jeremiah foretold something new and wonderful
alongside the difficulties he announced. He previewed a God-initiated new covenant – a
shining truth that the New Testament expands. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection secured
the way of salvation for all who put their faith in Him. God declares everyone who turns
to Jesus in faith as righteous in His sight. Indwelt by the Holy Spirit, believers experience
the power and desire to seek and please God. Obedience to God flows out of love and
gratitude, as God’s Spirit empowers His children to think and act rightly. Because of the
new covenant, every true believer rests secure in Christ – no strings attached.
He described God’s judgment under the Babylonians that God had promised if the people
disobeyed – and they did. However, Jeremiah foretold something new and wonderful
alongside the difficulties he announced. He previewed a God-initiated new covenant – a
shining truth that the New Testament expands. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection secured
the way of salvation for all who put their faith in Him. God declares everyone who turns
to Jesus in faith as righteous in His sight. Indwelt by the Holy Spirit, believers experience
the power and desire to seek and please God. Obedience to God flows out of love and
gratitude, as God’s Spirit empowers His children to think and act rightly. Because of the
new covenant, every true believer rests secure in Christ – no strings attached.
To disregard God’s promises in the Bible means missing the only source of true security
known to mankind. God’s promises are inextricably linked to His character. Therefore, to
ignore His promises is to neglect God Himself. There is no way of salvation apart from
what God has promised and accomplished. To ignore God is to opt out of His blessings. An
anchorless life and dismal future await anyone who refuses to believe what God has
declared to be certain.
God did not leave desperate people in the dark searching for answers that He cunningly
withheld. God made promises – secured by who He is – that cannot be broken by the
certain failures of sinful people. The old covenant paved the way for the new covenant,
which represents unshakable hope available to everyone who puts their faith in Christ.
Believers need not wonder if they have been good enough to please God. Because of what
Christ accomplished, God’s children remain settled and secure on God’s promises, which
cannot be broken. There is no better place to rest!
Resource: Bible Study Fellowship, People of Promise: Kingdom Divided, Lesson 26
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