2 Cor 3:6-18  says, “He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit, for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life.”

Covenant.  What is covenant?  Where did the term come from?  How can it be explained?  Is it important in our lives?

There’s much to learn about covenant and the importance it has in our lives.  Covenant in the Old Testament was ”a set of promises with rules and conditions, whereby an agreeable or profitable relationship may exist between two parties. A covenant can be the express will and testament of one party, by which the other party, if compliant, gains an inheritance.” (taken from www.simplybible.com)

Covenant was made between God and man when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, thereby setting the “law” or “letter” in place for His people.

Covenant or “contract” was made between two people when they were doing business together and required each person to pierce their hand or wrist and mix their blood to “seal the deal”.

In the Old Testament, when one entered into covenant, he/she  basically promised to abide by a set of rules and regulations.  But God sent Jesus into this world to deliver us from the old covenant and bring life through the new covenant.

2 Cor 3:6-18  says, “He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit, for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life.”

The old covenant resulted in anger, punishment, and even death.  The new covenant extends peace, forgiveness, grace, and life.

You see, we enter into covenant with our spouses, children, friends, family members, etc.  But my friends, let me be very clear - our most important covenant relationship is the one we have with our Heavenly Father.   He ALWAYS gets our first, our best, our loyalty, our commitment, and our obedience – above all other relationships! 

It is through Him that we are saved, called, and destined for His purpose.  Galations 3:26-27 reminds us that “…by faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God.”  It’s the blood of Jesus that flows freely to you and me so that we can walk in covenant with the Most High God.

There have been times in my life where I’ve had to choose between my loyaly to a friend and my loyalty to the beliefs and convictions that God has embeded in my spirit.  It’s never easy to make that choice, especially when you love someone.  But it’s the ONLY choice if we want to walk in complete obedience to the will of God and His covenant with us.

NEVER should our covenant with another person come before our covenant with our Lord!

Hang in there, Friends!  Christ came to give us abundant life.  When you accepted Him as your personal Savior, you entered into the greatest covenant known to man.  You are covered by His blood, saved by His grace, and guided by His Almighty Hand!

~Picture above taken from www.freefoto.com