The greatest hindrance to the power of God’s covenant is a lack of knowledge. What I mean is, it is a lack of understanding of God’s Word. The secret is not about who you are. It’s not about what level of society (in worldly terms) you have ascended to. The position of your business, nor your title in the company you work for, influence the power of God’s covenant. So what is this covenant thing?
What is the Covenant
Covenant is a dominant theme in the Scriptures and serves as a foundation for the story of God’s people. In a literal sense, according to Merriam-Webster, a covenant means a binding agreement, or a legal contract, if you will. It is a seal between two or more parties.
In a biblical sense, the word covenant derives from the same root word meaning “to cut.” This means that in the culture of the Bible, the covenant carried weight and was often cut, or sealed, in blood.
It is also interesting to note that a contract is a legal agreement. But a covenant is one of a relationship. The old covenant is based on the law. The new covenant is based on communion with God or to have inward fellowship with God directly. The Old Testament/Covenant was written in stone. The New Testament/Covenant is written in our hearts. Now you can know God’s heart.
The Story of The Scarlet Thread
The Bible is the story of the covenants God has cut, through the shedding of blood, with His people to restore them from sin and death. The new and final covenant is the New Testament or New Covenant.
A Scarlet Thread runs throughout the Word of God, but in the New Testament it becomes more than just a thread; it turns into the Cross, a covenant that no power can break. This thread of life has been woven throughout the Old Testament. A steep price was paid to turn that Scarlet Thread into the blood of Christ that was shed on the cross. The Scarlet Thread became deliverance for us. The cross is a great symbol of the covenant God has cut for us.
Saying that understanding the covenant is key is an understatement. It is an understanding of where you stand with God. Are you wondering where you stand with God? If so, then you need more faith (God’s word). In other words, you need more knowledge of God’s word (faith). Then you will have faith (knowledge of God’s word) to understand.
The Bible Says…
Romans 10:17 KJV
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
So then, we can use the word faith and God’s word interchangeably since faith comes by hearing God’s word.
So when people pray for faith, it’s really knowledge of God’s Word they need because they cannot have faith beyond their actual knowledge of God’s Word. Faith comes as soon as the light of God’s Word illuminates their heart and soul. That’s why the Psalmist said,
Psalm 119:130a AMP
The unfolding of Your [glorious] words gives light;
The shedding of blood is crucial to the cutting of the covenant. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. Since mankind was not able to perfectly obey God’s law (or able to fulfill their part of the covenant of old), God the Father cut a covenant with His son Jesus Christ on mankind’s behalf. We know this as the New Covenant or New Testament.
It’s worth repeating that God cut the Old Covenants with man(kind). Man(kind) couldn’t keep his part of the covenant. So then God the Father cut a covenant with God the Son. Jesus, the Son, was (the only one) able to fulfill the covenant, and He did so on our behalf. So a covenant was cut for us through Jesus. And His blood sealed it.
So you are forgiven and in right standing with God through Jesus…and the cutting of the New Covenant (TESTAMENT) that was cut once and for all for mankind.
The Benefits (Power) of God’s Covenant
If you have health insurance, it is helpful to be familiar with the benefits of your policy. If you do not know those benefits, you won’t take advantage of them, which I personally just experienced. And if you don’t, you may end up paying for something that the policy covers.
Many Christians are ignorant of the great benefits that they enjoy in Jesus Christ and, as a result, the enemy takes advantage of them. Christians end up “paying” for things that are “covered in the policy.” And they are living in guilt, when the policy says, “I will remember their sins no more.” They feel far off from God, whereas the covenant stipulates, “I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” They put themselves under many manmade rules, whereas God says,
Hebrews 10:16 NIV
“This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”
Hebrews 8:10 AMP
“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
After those days, says the Lord:
I will imprint My laws upon their minds [even upon their innermost thoughts and understanding],
And engrave them upon their hearts [effecting their regeneration].
And I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.
2 Corinthians 3:3 AMP
You show that you are a letter from Christ, delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
So instead of knowing the glorious privileges of being children in covenant with God and free, many live in slavery as children being taken advantage of by the enemy (Gal. 4:30-31).
The Benefits
- It’s everlasting – Heb. 13:20
- The filling of the Holy Spirit (more glorious and splendid than ever) – Acts. 1:8; 2 Cor. 3:8, 3:17-18
- Forgiveness – Matthew 26:28
- Righteousness – 2 Cor. 5:21
- Glory – 2 Cor. 3:10-11
- Liberty – Gal. 5:1
- Mercy – Heb. 8:12
- Life – Rom. 8:2
- Grace – Rom. 3:24
- Faith – Rom. 10:6-10
- Truth – John 14:6
- Reconciliation – 2 Cor. 5:18
- Freedom – Again, Gal. 5:1
- Authority – Luke 10:19; Acts. 3:6-7
God’s covenant hasn’t changed. He’s the same God…
Challenge of the Week
Will you not look into God’s word? Find out what it means to be in covenant with God. Do so this week to see and know the power of God’s covenant with you for yourself. He will NOT break the covenant that He literally gave His life for, sealed by the blood of Christ on your behalf. Walking in and knowing who you are in Christ, who your Father is, and how He sees you, is power(ful). So be it!
