A Covenant is a promise, agreement, pledge where both parties have expectations to provide certain things, actions to the other with reward or consequences as a result of compliance or disobedience.
What are the covenants written in the Bible?
1. Noah and the Father- Genesis 6:18 If Noah was faithful to follow instruction the Father would save him, his family, and every creature on the ark. Due to his obedience the Lord saved them and created a Rainbow as a lasting sign of a promise he would not ever destroy the world by flood again. Genesis 9:9-15
2. Abram or Abraham, family and the Father- Genesis 15:18 17:4-10 the Father promised if he was faithful and become circumcised and every male circumcised he will make his seed multiply and he will be father of many nations.
3. Moses, Israel and the Father- Exodus 24:8 If the people are faithful to God's LAW, commandments, statues, and judgments for ever they will be granted eternal life. Exodus 31:16, 34:10-15 34:27-28
4. All men/women (Jew and gentile) and the Father- Jerimiah 31:31-34 if they are faithful the Lord will give them a new heart and a new spirit, and they will keep his laws and be his people. The Lord will turn the hearts of stone into hearts of flesh Ezekiel 11:19, 36:26, Hebrews 8:10 & 10:16
No where in scripture is there a release from the Law of God. The law is described as perfect, good, just, and right. Described as liberty. Scriptures tells us that the Lord will not act without first telling his servants the prophets Amos 3:7 Not one prophet foretold that the law would be taken away, abolished, removed, or hung on the cross.
Galatians 3:15 states that a man-made covenant no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified or confirmed. The Father's covenants are even more so unable to be annulled once ratified or confirmed.
With all this being said, keep in mind that we are saved by Grace through Faith. Faith in Christ, the Father, and the Law. If we obey the law without first having a change of heart then keeping the law is in vain. Much like the Israelites in the OT, many did not have a change of heart, they had hearts of stone much like many of us today.
We must first come to the knowledge that we are sinners. We deserve death, but Christ took that punishment, took and became the curse of death for us through his death and resurrection. No actions that we do will gain us salvation ONLY faith in Christ, however once we learn the truth of scriptures that we have not been released from the Law of the Father we then realize that to love the Lord, to produce good fruit, we are driven by the Spirit to keep his commandments out of love and respect for the Father.
As Paul said I would have not known sin except through the law. Rom 7:7 I delight in it Rom 7:22, it is good, perfect, and just. Rom 7:12
As John said sin is the transgression of the law (breaking the law) 1 John 3:4
As Christ said if you love me keep my commandments.
As Christ said for this is the law and the prophets Matt 22:40 that he did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it(G4137 Pleroo-fulfill- to furnish or supply, to complete, to carry into effect), that every part of the law is intact until heaven and earth shall pass away. Matt 7:12
Christ showed us how the law was to be followed. He instructed us to not keep the traditions of men, the jewish customs that are not written in the Law of God. We are to follow in His example, to be Christ-like aren't we?
Then why aren't we? We've allowed men to teach us that scriptures say things they don't. They have added context or removed context from the passages and when we read them we can only see what they want us to, not the truth.
I pray that each of us prays for the Lord to change your heart, to remove the veil, and open you eyes to His word, His truth, and then you will see.
That is what I did in 2015, I prayed the Lord would change me, would give me the faith as strong and unyielding as a suicide bomber. He kept his word, he has built my faith from the bottom up using his Word, leading me to others of the faith to listen to lessons and sermons. He has been faithful, and in turn through gratitude, love, and respect I keep his commandments.
Here's a good Ministry to learn more from
This series will help you properly understand the writings of Paul, what the people thought and were going through in the 1st century, and help you understand the debates had.
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