I read a book years ago, God’s Covenant of Blessing, written by John P. Milton, an Old Testament professor at Luther Theological Seminary. It was as dry as toast, yet rich as scones. So I’ll summarize Milton’s overview of “covenant” as best as I can, and then let’s plug it into our lives.
Biblical covenant is a set of stipulations initiated by God, aimed at becoming an agreement between Him and mankind. God’s covenants consist in terms of promises or commands, and oftentimes both. Note God’s call to Abraham: “Go from your country . . . to the land I will show you [command]. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you . . .[promise]”1 Mankind may accept or reject God’s covenants, but we may not help determine their content. God’s covenants become mutual when say “yes” to His promises by believing them, and when we say “yes” to His commands by obeying them. Unbelief or disobedience, on the other hand, are tantamount to rejection. Abraham chose “yes,” as James writes: “Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend.”2
So God’s covenants are, at heart, relational. Think about it: “God’s friend”—what a blessing, what an honor! Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus assured His disciples, “You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants . . . but I have called you friends.”3 Note we are still called to obedience, though no longer as servants, but now as friends. So Jesus commands, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”4 For Jesus also promises, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”5
Jesus assures us, “[The Holy Spirit] lives with you and will be in you.”6 Do we believe this? Then let’s go! He also declares, “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.”7 Do we believe this? Then let’s sow. Wherever the Spirit sends us, whatever He call us to do, we must, for His burden is light and His promises are sure. This is covenant relationship.
“Blessed . . . are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”8—Jesus
Father, no matter how many promises you have made, they are “Yes” in Christ.9 Send us forth in this confidence, that we would do your will. In Christ we pray. Amen.
1 Genesis 12:1-3 NIV
2 James 2:21-23 NIV, emphasis added
3 John 15:14-15 ESV
4 Matthew 28:19-20a ESV
5 Matthew 28:20b ESV
6 John 14:17 NIV
7 John 15:5 ESV
8 Luke 11:28 NIV
9 2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV
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