Westminster Confession of Faith 7.1-3
II. The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works, wherein life was promised to Adam; and in him to his posterity, upon condition of perfect and personal obedience.
III. Man, by his fall, having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second, commonly called the covenant of grace; wherein He freely offers unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ; requiring of them faith in Him, that they may be saved, and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto eternal life His Holy Spirit, to make them willing, and able to believe.
Summary
The fall of mankind into sin created a great divide between God and man. The divide is so great that the only way we are able to have a restored relationship with God is if God willingly condescends to us, that is, if He stoops down to our level, as a rich man to a beggar. Since He is the offended party in this relationship, and we the offenders, it falls on Him whether to restore the relationship, or not. By His grace, He does condescend to meet with us and be our God, and He expresses His condescension by way of covenant.
A "covenant" is defined in various ways, but the Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible defines it as an "Arrangement between two parties involving mutual obligations". Manser's Dictionary of Bible Themes defines it, "God’s commitment to, and requirement of, his people expressed in promise, law, judgment, faithfulness and mercy." A covenant is many things, but it is primarily about relationship. It can refer to contracts and political agreements, but it is more often used in Scripture with the idea of marriage, especially regarding the covenant between God and His people. For God to covenant with His people means that He initiates an intimate relationship with them, both parties being subject to stipulations and duties.
God's first covenant with mankind was a covenant of life made with Adam, in which life was promised to Adam, and all his descendants, upon the conditions of "perfect and personal obedience", meaning total and heartfelt obedience. (Genesis 2:8-17) Because Adam fell in the original sin, and all mankind fell with him and in him, all mankind is now incapable of receiving life through that covenant. In other words, you and I are in no way capable of meriting life through any of our own works. We are dead in Adam and unable to live again. (Romans 5:12-21)
If God did not act, we would remain dead in Adam and come under the judgment of God's wrath in the Last Day. But God is gracious, loving, and good to sinners, and so made a second covenant with mankind: the covenant of grace. Whereas the first covenant of life is made with all mankind through Adam, the covenant of grace is made with elect mankind through Christ. Whereas the covenant of works extended an offer of life with a requirement attached, the covenant of grace extends a free offer of life with all the requirements being fulfilled through the work of Jesus. The only requirement on the part of the elect is to have faith in Jesus Christ. Even that faith is a gift from God, as it is the Holy Spirit who makes the elect willing and able to believe in Jesus. Therefore, the covenant of grace is gracious from top to bottom. All the work required is accomplished by Christ and given as a free gift to the elect, and even the faith required on our part is given as a free gift by the Holy Spirit.
God's first covenant with mankind was a covenant of life made with Adam, in which life was promised to Adam, and all his descendants, upon the conditions of "perfect and personal obedience", meaning total and heartfelt obedience. (Genesis 2:8-17) Because Adam fell in the original sin, and all mankind fell with him and in him, all mankind is now incapable of receiving life through that covenant. In other words, you and I are in no way capable of meriting life through any of our own works. We are dead in Adam and unable to live again. (Romans 5:12-21)
If God did not act, we would remain dead in Adam and come under the judgment of God's wrath in the Last Day. But God is gracious, loving, and good to sinners, and so made a second covenant with mankind: the covenant of grace. Whereas the first covenant of life is made with all mankind through Adam, the covenant of grace is made with elect mankind through Christ. Whereas the covenant of works extended an offer of life with a requirement attached, the covenant of grace extends a free offer of life with all the requirements being fulfilled through the work of Jesus. The only requirement on the part of the elect is to have faith in Jesus Christ. Even that faith is a gift from God, as it is the Holy Spirit who makes the elect willing and able to believe in Jesus. Therefore, the covenant of grace is gracious from top to bottom. All the work required is accomplished by Christ and given as a free gift to the elect, and even the faith required on our part is given as a free gift by the Holy Spirit.
+ Blessings in Christ +
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