Covenant Yields Inheritance (Covenant Part 2)

 Covenant Yields Inheritance (Covenant Part 2)       

Have you ever received an inheritance of material things? Not everyone does. But if you have it was probably a great blessing.

I have been the recipient of inheritance and it truly blessed my family and me. Why did something choose to bequeath worldly goods to me? Because they loved me.

Our Heavenly Father loves us and wants to give each of us an inheritance—an eternal inheritance. Indeed, He wants to supply us with things to meet our earthly needs, but His idea of inheritance is far greater than that. In order to receive the inheritance set aside for each of us we must enter into a covenant relationship with our Creator, Yahweh. (Yahweh is the Hebrew name of God.)

It’s through faith in Jesus that we do this. We then become God’s own children and joint heirs with Jesus. (Romans 8:17) As His children, we qualify to receive a magnificent, out of this world, inheritance, both on earth—abundant life—and an eternal home after we die.

Any covenant God enters into is forever and HIs eternal covenants yield eternal inheritance. I touched on this truth in my previous post. I hope you’ll read it if you haven’t.

The Apostle Peter encourages us: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible [will not perish] and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5 NKJV*). 

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b). That is fullness of life on earth and eternal life in Heaven.

Photo by Connie Wohlford 

A few of the promises we inherit are: forgiveness of sin, thus removing it’s penalty (Ephesians 1:7-8); promise of provision of earthly needs (2 Peter 1:3); peace in all situations (John 14:27); the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16); for each of us, God’s purpose and a calling (1 Timothy 1:9); nothing can separate us from God (Romans 8:38-39); we will each have a perfect glorified body fit for eternal life (Philippians 3:21); assurance of eternal life in Heaven with Jesus as members of God’s own family (John 6:47).

I have named only a few of the wondrous things that are part of our eternal inheritance from our Father God. The list is endless. As we read and study God’s Word we learn more of the depth and breadth of His unfailing love and all He wants to bequeath to His own.

Please take a moment and meditate on each of the above promises in our inheritance. Write down more as you think of them.

Let’s pray: Heavenly Father, You are so good to us and we don’t deserve the marvelous things You choose give. You know our every breath and our every need even before it arises. Father, we are so grateful. Thank You for providing with an open hand of love and mercy. We love You, Lord. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

*** All Scripture quotes are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.

©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

Covenant or Contract

 Covenant or Contract                                        

What is the difference between a contract and a covenant? Some say they’re the same, but they’re not, especially when God is involved.

“A covenant, in the biblical sense, implies much more than a contract. … A contract always has an end date, while a covenant is a permanent arrangement. Another difference is that a contract generally involves only one part of a person, such as a skill, while a covenant covers a person’s total being.” * 

Chuck Pierce defines covenant as “an endless partnership or solemn and binding agreement between two or more parties. Covenant with God provides a commitment to a relationship that allows His purpose for us to be fulfilled.” ** 

Consider this: When we purchase a car, we agree to a contract. When we get married, we enter into a covenant. Big difference.

We can be confident that any covenant of God is initiated by God Himself. Some of the most famous God ordained covenants are: God’s covenant with Noah, (Genesis 9:11); God’s covenant with Abraham, (Genesis 15:18); and God’s covenant with Moses and the Israelites (Exodus 19-24).

God will always uphold His end of a covenant. He keeps promises. On the other hand, people sometimes fail to hold up their end.

People enter into covenants with other people as in the example of marriage. Sadly, not all marriage covenants are upheld. A good example of a human covenant which was honored by both parties is the friendship between Jonathan and David. This kind of loyal friendship is not easy to come by. Even after Johnathan died, David honored his friend by caring for Jonathan’s handicapped son, Mephibosheth. (2 Samuel 9)

When we become born-again followers of Jesus, we enter into an eternal covenant with our Creator. We receive and are consecrated into what Jeremiah prophesied would be the New Covenant.

“Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel. … I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. … For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more” (Jeremiah 31:31-34 NKJV). ***   

It was through the death of God’s own Son, Jesus, with the shedding of His blood that the New Covenant was given to Mankind. Through God’s covenant with Moses and the Israelites man’s sins could be covered over through the sacrificial shedding of the blood of animals. But now, through the shedding of the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God, our sins are completely removed. Besides that, Jesus takes away the accompanying guilt and shame. We are made clean and made new just as if we had never committed the sins at all. We are born-again.

“For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:13-15).

It is by faith that we enter into this eternal covenant with our Creator. He offers it and we choose to receive it or not. When we say “yes” to God’s offer, we have the opportunity to receive our eternal inheritance. “What is that?” you may ask. Please see my next post to learn about it.

“Therefore know that the Lord Your God, His God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments” (Deuteronomy 7:9).

Let us pray: Father, we can never thank You enough for providing Your New Covenant to us, a free gift we receive by faith. Because of your great love, mercy, and grace, You have given Jesus, the divine Mediator of this better covenant. By Your Spirit, help us to have the will and strength to follow Your lead into the divine inheritance so that Your purpose in each of us will be fulfilled. What a wonderful adventure You provide! In Jesus name we pray, amen.

*New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Thomas Nelson Publishing, page 306.

**Possessing Your Inheritance, by Chuck D. Pierce and Rebecca Wagner Sytsema; Chosen Books, Baker Publishing Group, Minneapolis, Minnesota; 2009; page 119.

*** All Scripture quotes are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.

©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford