Covenant Relationship

Covenantal Relationship

Everyone is going to have to answer to God. I've said before that "all roads lead to God, but only one leads to His favorable side!" That favorable side is reserved for His "covenant people.

The word "covenant" may sound strange to us now, but at one tie it was a common word used in legal circles. Much like we use the word "contract' today. As close as that is it isn't exact, it's more like making an arrangement between two parties.

It's for this reason that I counsel an engaged couple that they are entering into a consensual relationship. Marriage is based on our connection to Jesus Christ as the head of the church (see Ephesians 5:22-33), the husband promises to love the wife [as Christ loves the church], and the wife promises to submit to the husband (in the Lord).

From the Old Testament we find covenant used in several places. God made a covenant with Abram in Genesis 15. This may have been done to help Abram know he would inherit the land.

Laben made a covenant with his future son-in-law, Jacob. This was made perhaps because neither one trusted the other (see Genesis 31:44-ff). This was, however, a covenant that God witnessed.

A covenant between two friends was made by David and Jonathan. Jonathan gave David his robe, armor, sword, belt , and bow ( 1 Samuel 18:4). It is as if David became Jonathan by this covenant. Consider this as you think about the armor of God, and marriage.

Another covenant is the one Yahweh made with Israel as He elected Israel, and they in turn accepted the terms of obedience at Sinai, after the exodus from Egypt. They were to acknowledge Yahweh as their King and Deliverer. They did for a short while.

The covenant relationship isn't meant to be simply a legal contract. Consider marriage. It's more than a contract between a man and a women that lists out all the duties of the husband and the wife. That would be impossible. The husband is to love his wife and do what is necessary for her welfare, and likewise the wife is to care for her husband. The covenant relationship of marriage is a promise made by each (or at least it should be) to learn about and care fore each other and no one else!

The "old" covenant Yahweh made with Israel, the law written in stone, was meant to bring His people into fellowship with Him as King. He wanted His people to be free to approach Him. That didn't work because the hearts of the people weren't in it. The ritual became more important than the relationship. Yahweh had to change things.

This is where the 'new' covenant comes into the picture. The Messiah would come for a new covenant. He would show the way, the truth, and the life that Yahweh is pleased with (see Isaiah 42:6 and 49:8). Actually, Jeremiah 31:31 predicts this new covenant when Yahweh's ways are written on our hearts. It's not longer a matter of ritual, but one of relationship. Yahweh is in us, filling us.

If you read Hebrews 8-9 you will read what Jeremiah said. Hebrews 9 shows the difference between the two covenants. Here we find out about the eternal redemption through Christ's blood (vs 12-14). So that those who are in a conventual relationship with Yahweh have the promise of an eternal inheritance (vs 15).

Covenants can be ignored or broken. Trust in this new covenant that Jesus sealed with his blood between you and Yahweh.

spiritual warfare

The Spiritual War

In Ephesians 6:13-16 we have a list of the whole armor of God. Paul describes our weapons as compared to a soldier's armor and weapons. This isn't intended to give us a list of physical implements of war, rather as a guide to help us know how we are able to stand against the wiles or schemes of the devil, trickery of men, and cunning craftiness of deceitful people.

Our first defense is truth. There are false allegations floating around about God's activity in the universe. There are lies about how He wants His children to live. There are untrue teachings about how He wants us to worship. For these reasons (and more) we need to be bound up in His truth, not just knowing it but living it. His word is truth. Therefore we need to live by every word, response, or answer that comes from the mouth of God.

Righteousness is the next defense that will protect our hearts. You may have, from time to time, thought that you weren't "good enough" for God. That indeed may be true, but the righteousness we have is not our own. It's righteousness which we have through faith in Christ. That in Christ we are right before God. Christ has made us right, not anything we have done. That's what we put our trust in.

Peace is also a defense for God's people. There are countless ways for people to be divided, turn against each other, and separate themselves. However there is one good reason not to allow ourselves to fall into this human response to people who drive us nuts. We have the good news of peace. God's children are peace makers! God has granted us the divine response that overcomes all the forces, lies, and reasons that divide people. The Apostle Paul put it like this, "The God of peace will bruise Satan's head under your feet shortly" (Romans 16:20). We are equipped to stand against the forces of disunity.

The fourth defense mentioned is faith. This is the quality that gives confidence to all the others. Whatever the fiery darts may be, faith is what quenches or douses them. Faith removes whatever power they may appear to have. We can either trust in God or His enemies. We can either be receptive to God's will, or our own.

The knowledge of salvation is mentioned next. Knowing that God's kingdom is coming, and our citizenship is there, will help us stand against all the trouble we see (and experience) around us. God's ultimate triumph then, and Christ's victory now will keep that living hope alive. We won't be ashamed!

The final piece of defense is the sword of the spirit or the word of God. Let me state the obvious: all the other defenses we have are contained in the word. The revelation of all of these comes from what God has determined to tell us. Read it, take it in, meditate on it, and believe it.

We have been equipped with the spiritual armor necessary to both stand and overcome. Let's not disappoint the One who has armed us so completely.

Pastor Chuck

Professing Christians Functioning Athesists

This title may sound like an oxymoron, but it isn't. There can be a vast difference between what we say we believe (profession) and how we live out those beliefs (function).

Those who are brave enough (those who have the courage only God's spirit can produce) to look honestly into their heart may be shocked to see that what is professed is not the same as what's practiced. This is why truth is so important.

We want others to be truthful but we first must demand it our ourselves. God desires truth in our inner man more than "playing church" (See Psalm 51:6).

Although we may attend church and Bible studies. There is the prospect that at all other times we keep God at bay by our distractions. Distractions can range from T.V. shows, sporting events, shopping, eating, computers and hobbies. Often times these serve to keep God out of our thoughts!

We can keep God silent with our music or other background noise. We can ignore God through intoxication. All of this serves to show what we truly believe.

How we respond to others people also reveals what we think of God's commands. We can give lip service to all the right things, but what is played out in our lives is far more important!

I'd go so far as to say that even theological debates can keep us from responding to life by faith. Again, it comes down to the difference between how we talk and how we live. It's great to talk about God (teaching a class or preaching a sermon) but it's more important to live for, love, and fear God. This is going to show in how we respond to the disappointments of life.

Church building can fall into this as well. It could be someone is working hard for their own monument. Even while saying "God gets the glory" (because we can lie about that). Again, it shows in how one responds to the discouragement of life. How one responds to plans being changed. This reveals who one thinks is really in control.

Doubts, those unseen claws, can rip away the masks of our polite Christianity. When our professions are only surface level, they are easily removed. This is when folks will go their own way. They lean on their own understanding. They do their own thing rather than put fain in a trustworthy God. They will live like they actually believe.

It's scary but true. People can profess to be Christian but live life without God. That is a functional atheist. Where is the truth? Not in our profession (or confessions). Do you believe God will provide? Even when the money is gone? Do you believe God is forgiving? Even when your past sins assail you? Do you believe God's way of forgiving and reconciling is the best? Even as you recall your personal hurts? Do you believe He will be with you as you face the hard, shameful, disgusting things in your life?

To these questions we could answer "yes," but respond in complete contradiction. The life of a Christian isn't found in what we say we believe, but in how we live what we believe.

God will give you the courage, honesty, and help to bring the two into agreement. Go for it.

Pastor Chuck

Thke High Dive

Witnessing and The High Dive

Here's a little background to my diving experience. I learned to dive off my grandmother's dock into shallow water. The first few attempts ended painfully. So I put on a tee shirt to soften the sting. Before long I was able to do it without "belly-flops".

Then came a swimming pool with a high dive, how intimidating! Others were going off in quick fashion, so I had to face this rite of passage. The boards always look higher when you're up there then it did from the deck, and the board was so narrow. I mustered my courage and walked out. There I stood. I didn't want to look like a "chicken" by climbing down so there was only one way to go. "Just do it" I said to myself.

"No wait a minute, myself replied.

"Kids are coming up the ladder, you better do it!" I thought. So I did. I stepped off and I lived to talk about it. In fact it was fun. I jumped off many more times, it was great.

Then came the next challenge, "Dive off, Chicken," yelled my brother, who hadn't yet himself.

Oh boy, the pain I experienced when I first learned to dive was magnified by the 15 feet between me and the water. "Okay, here goes," I said, and did it. Before I knew it I was in the water and I survived it. Besides that I found out this was, by far, more fun!

I relate this story as a basis for overcoming the fear that keeps us from what we can do. I want to apply it to all the excuses you may have for not witnessing. Stop believing those excuses and do it.

So, here are four levels of growth in witnessing using my diving experience.

To start, we need to be able to talk to people. This is like jumping into the shallow water. The ban on talking to strangers is reserved for young children, not adults. Try starting by saying something friendly to someone. Try to avoid the "how ya' doing?" opening. Use something open ended, like "It look like you're having a good day..." Speak to what you see in the others body language.

The next stage is to engage them in conversation. People usually like to talk about themselves, so give them an opportunity to do that. Be a good listener! This is about as scary as diving off the first time. It won't be smooth, but don't give up. I will become easier with experience. Keep getting that experience.

The third level is compared to jumping off the high dive. As you converse with people draw out additional information so you may understand their lives better. It's important to remember here to avoid being shocked by what you may find out, and to also avoid being judgmental or condemning.

At the end of this is the final level. Once you've engaged people and have an understanding, then comes the "head first dive off high board." Offer them God's wisdom. Share what you've found to be true. Tell them you understand (if in fact you do) and how you can see their present situation. Especially if you have been there too and how God has made a difference in your life. This makes for a great connection.

Once you've "been there and done that" you will realize a joy that surpasses "keeping silent". You'll want to do it again and again.

Confess your fears, name them one by one. Rely on God's presence and see what He can do with you. You will move to the next level.