The assumption that there is something left for us to do to make sure
our salvation is predicated on the failure to distinguish the covenant
of promise and grace from the covenant of works. In the latter, it was a
covenant between Israel and God, and the term of this covenant was that
Israel was to obey the law, and when they broke this agreement that was
reached with God at Sinai, the covenant was breached (Exodus 24:1-7).
And over and over again, they violated that agreement; this culminated
in their rejection and crucifixion of their Messiah. This is a
conditional covenant that is based on performance. Sadly, it is this
performance mindset of the covenant of works that some Christians have
carried into their walk in Christ, therefore, in their minds, what was
done on the cross needs some kind of work to perfect it.
The covenant of promise and grace, on its part is not a conditional one, but entirely predicated on the faithfulness of God. A look at the covenant of promise, out of which comes the covenant of grace, which God made to Abraham, was really cut by God. The only thing that was required of Abraham was to trust God. This really is the difference between the covenant of works and the covenant of promise and grace. In a manner of speaking, the covenant of grace came out of the covenant of promise which God cut with Abraham in Genesis 15:18
When the law was not kept, the blessings associated to it was forfeited; this is because the covenant of the law was an agreement in which Israel agreed to obey the letters of the law. This is what makes it a conditional covenant; but the promise which God made to Abraham was not like this, it was entirely dependent on God, not Abraham; this is what makes it an unconditional covenant. The only thing Abraham could do was believe that God was faithful who gave it. It is not dependent on Abraham's performance, but God's faithfulness. The same is true for the covenant of grace which we have said is an offshoot of the covenant of promise. The covenant of promise found its fulfilment in Christ, the seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16).
Toni
The covenant of promise and grace, on its part is not a conditional one, but entirely predicated on the faithfulness of God. A look at the covenant of promise, out of which comes the covenant of grace, which God made to Abraham, was really cut by God. The only thing that was required of Abraham was to trust God. This really is the difference between the covenant of works and the covenant of promise and grace. In a manner of speaking, the covenant of grace came out of the covenant of promise which God cut with Abraham in Genesis 15:18
When the law was not kept, the blessings associated to it was forfeited; this is because the covenant of the law was an agreement in which Israel agreed to obey the letters of the law. This is what makes it a conditional covenant; but the promise which God made to Abraham was not like this, it was entirely dependent on God, not Abraham; this is what makes it an unconditional covenant. The only thing Abraham could do was believe that God was faithful who gave it. It is not dependent on Abraham's performance, but God's faithfulness. The same is true for the covenant of grace which we have said is an offshoot of the covenant of promise. The covenant of promise found its fulfilment in Christ, the seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16).
Toni
