THE COVENANT OF GRACE & WORKS
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. The Priceless Covenant
a) This covenant is the constitution of the church of Christ. We see it as the covenant which previous covenants promised, the covenant which all mankind must obey, a covenant of both grace and works.
Ephesians 2:1-2
“And you he has made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins. In them you walked in time past according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience.”
Ephesians 2:12
“At that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.”
Ephesians 2:7-10
“[But God made us alive showing] the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God before ordained that we should walk in them.”
2. The Covenant Of Grace And Works
a) Whilst the covenant requires obedience to its commandments, it is based upon "grace... through faith". Were the covenant based upon the obedience it requires, then it would fail. It would be a "a law of commandments" that would create "enmity" between us and God (Ephesians 2:15). There's nothing wrong with a covenant being a law of commandments, so long as it is based on its mediator's grace and power to offer forgiveness (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 8:6-7, Hebrews 9:14-15).
b) The new covenant is effectual because of "the cross" (Ephesians 2:16) on which Christ made the perfect sacrifice of his flesh and blood. If it were not for this, and the grace of God behind it, the covenant would not work. It would rely upon us entirely, and our works of obedience would be insufficient. Instead the covenant certainly requires our obedience and faith, but relies upon God’s grace in sending his Son to die for us that we might be able to live (Romans 3:23-24).
The End ...
1. The Priceless Covenanta) This covenant is the constitution of the church of Christ. We see it as the covenant which previous covenants promised, the covenant which all mankind must obey, a covenant of both grace and works.
Ephesians 2:1-2
“And you he has made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins. In them you walked in time past according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience.”
Ephesians 2:12
“At that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.”
Ephesians 2:7-10
“[But God made us alive showing] the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God before ordained that we should walk in them.”
2. The Covenant Of Grace And Works
a) Whilst the covenant requires obedience to its commandments, it is based upon "grace... through faith". Were the covenant based upon the obedience it requires, then it would fail. It would be a "a law of commandments" that would create "enmity" between us and God (Ephesians 2:15). There's nothing wrong with a covenant being a law of commandments, so long as it is based on its mediator's grace and power to offer forgiveness (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 8:6-7, Hebrews 9:14-15).
b) The new covenant is effectual because of "the cross" (Ephesians 2:16) on which Christ made the perfect sacrifice of his flesh and blood. If it were not for this, and the grace of God behind it, the covenant would not work. It would rely upon us entirely, and our works of obedience would be insufficient. Instead the covenant certainly requires our obedience and faith, but relies upon God’s grace in sending his Son to die for us that we might be able to live (Romans 3:23-24).
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