ICS Daily Devotions
Understanding Covenant
We were once without Christ and without hope in the world. For indeed, to live a life without God is very empty and meaningless.
Ephesians 2:13-15 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,
2 Cor 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Sin was separating us from God and the law acted as a school master who constantly tells us we will never have peace with God because we will never achieve a right standing with God based on our own credit and strength. But Jesus Christ, through the shedding of His own blood on the cross, washed and cleansed us of our sins and therefore, the middle wall of separation has been broken and we can draw near to God and are in covenant with God now!
In the Old Testament, the Jews had the circumcision of the foreskin as an indication that they are in covenant with God. However, in the New Testament it is the circumcision of the heart.
Covenant in Hebrew “Berith” means to cut where blood flows. A blood covenant between two parties is the closest, most enduring, solemn and sacred of all contracts and absolutely cannot be broken. It is a promise to give your life, your love and your protection till death do you part.
John 15:12-15 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
Jesus Christ by dying on the cross and shedding His blood for us, has caused us to be in a blood covenant relation with God and we should be grateful and commit to this relationship.
Sermon Series: Understanding Covenant and Applying It with Faith in Our Lives
