(PARTS 1, 2, 3)
INTRODUCTION
There are five principal covenants in the Holy Scriptures that had its origin in Deity. That is, they were created by the Lord God Almighty. These are The Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and the Grace covenant which came by Jesus Christ. Whereas the unitary subjects of the first four were humans, the covenant of grace is relational between God and His New Creation, who are spirit beings in the divine realm. It can be quite easily demonstrated that all the great features in the other four covenants are present and enlarged upon in the Grace Covenant. Whereas it is very beneficial to explore these others, particularly the Abrahamic covenant, we are constrained by a divine instruction to blow the trumpet of the gospel of Grace in Zion, again and again, until it yields abundant fruit. The mountain of the House of the Lord will come into full view as this goal is realized. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised as Mount Zion realities are visible among us.
The next and final phase of the Kingdom work depends largely on this and will surely bring up another related covenant. Our present, God-given burden is to move in obedience to replenish the house of God with the knowledge of the glorious features of the Grace covenant and the life-transforming and joy-filled experiences flowing from every facet of it.
THE MAIN MESSAGE – PART 1 (We begin by taking up key inquiries respecting this burden. We shall do this by asking and answering pertinent some questions).
QUESTIONS 1- WHAT IS THE GRACE COVENANT? The Grace covenant is introduced in the New Testament Scriptures, in John Chapter 1: 16, 17; in the same vein in which the Mosaic covenant is mentioned. The Grace covenant is redemptive and came by Jesus Christ. Accordingly, it is easy to see that the Words of the Grace Covenant actually set forth the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Saviour and Redeemer. Though built on the unconditional promises and commitments made by God, who bounds Himself by an oath, it is nevertheless relational and enjoyed personally by all who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Conditions of obedience of faith in, and true heart devotion to Jesus Christ, are implied. The unconditional promises made by God coupled with well spelt out commitments which are largely fulfilled confer on the divine subjects certain BENEFITS, RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. Knowing and truly responding to these forms the essence of this burden.
QUESTIONS 2- WHAT ARE THE DIVINE SUBJECTS CALLED? They are addressed in the Holy Scriptures using several names but the one thought of as more expressive of the central thrust is chosen -we are called ‘’Saints in Christ Jesus’’ . Phil. 1:1, among several other references.
QUESTION 3-WHAT BENEFITS DO THE DIVINE SUBJECTS ENJOY BECAUSE OF THE GRACE COVENANT.
- I’VE BEEN MADE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS. 2 C0R. 5:21.
- I’M A NEW CREATION, GOD’S CHILD, PARTAKING OF THE DIVINE NATURE. JOHN 3:6
- FREED FROM OPPRESSION BY THE REMMISION OF SIN. LUKE 24:47
- DELIVERED FROM SATAN WHO HAS BEEN DESTROYED BY CHRIST. HEB.2:14
- CHRIST IS MY JUSTIFICATION AND I HAVE PEACE WITH GOD – ROMANS 5:1
- I’M A HEIR OF GOD AND JOINT-HEIR WITH CHRIST. ROMANS 8: 16,17
- I’M SEALED WITH THE HOLYSPIRIT UNTO FULL REDEMPTION. EPH. 1:13; 4:30
QUESTION 4- WHAT RIGHTS DO THE DIVINE SUBJECTS HAVE AS PARTAKERS OF THE GRACE COVENANT.
- I HAVE AUTHORITY TO USE THE NAME OF JESUS.MK:16:17;ACTS 3: 6,16; JOHN14:14
- I HAVE RIGHT TO LIFE AND LIFE’S RIGHTS UNDER GOD. ROMANS 1: 17
- I’M SEATED WITH CHRIST IN DOMINION OVER SATAN AND HIS DOMAINS. EPH. 2:6
- I’VE RIGHT AND PRIVILEGE TO THE REVELATION OF THE WORD. JOHN 15:5;17:8
- JESUS CHRIST IS MY HIGH PRIEST AND I’M BY HIS MERIT, AN UNDERPRIEST
- EVERY BLESSING THE SPIRIT OF THE GLORIFIED CHRIST HAS WRITTEN IS MINE.
- AS ONE SINGULARLY BLESSED, I’M CALLED IN CHRIST TO THE MINISTRY OF BLESSING MY EVER EXPANDING WORLD.
QUESTION 5- WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES GIVEN TO EVERY PARTAKER OF THE GRACE COVENANT.
The consideration of this held back in the main save to include in the discussions under questions 3 and 4 above such elements that better addressed there. We shall look at this holistically at best suited for it.