CONTRAST BETWEEN OLD AND NEW COVENANT
The covenant of grace is far better than the covenant of works, for it is founded upon a better principle. The old covenant was founded on the principle of merit. The new covenant is not founded on works at all. It is a covenant of pure, unmingled grace. The new covenant is not so much between man and God, as it is between the Almighty and man's Representative, the Lord Jesus Christ. The human side of the covenant has been fulfilled by Jesus. "The entire covenant of grace, in regard to us as the people of God, now stands this way: 'I your Lord, will give this; I will bestow that; I will fulfill this promise; I will grant that favor.' We have to do nothing to merit this grace, for there is nothing we can do." p.30 Jesus did it all. This new covenant cannot depend upon man because there is always inconsistency in man. All we as mankind have to do is receive this covenant of grace. God is required to fulfill His part of the covenant since man has fulfilled his obligation through man's representative, Jesus.

GOD THE FATHER'S ROLE IN THE COVENANT
"seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence." 2 Peter 1:3
God has made His Son heir of all things, (Hebrews 1:2) and He has made us heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. (Romans 8:17). So God the Father has given us everything.

There are characteristics of God the Father that He manifests in grace in regards to how He relates to believers compared to those who deny Him.

Characteristics:
Sovereign-He exercises His sovereignty in grace and mercy
Ruler-He lays aside the sword of His rulership; in His hand He grasps the rod of correction, not the sword of punitive vengeance
Judge-He is the judge that will acquit our souls

He is our God in special ways:
Election-He chose for salvation before the creation of the world
Justification-He calls us His friend because He has justified us through Jesus
Adoption-We are His children and He is our Father

Blessings of the Father
Guidance-He will give us wise guidance
Meet our Needs-He says He will meet all our needs, "And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philip. 4:19
Companionship- "...lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20
Comforter- "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction ..." 2 Cor. 1:3-4

In the next nugget we will talk about "God in the Covenant".

Other than scripture verses, quotes are from "God's Grace To You" by Charles Spurgeon, Whitaker House, 1997.

Copyright @ 2001 Richard D. Dover. All rights reserved.
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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations used are from the New American Standard Version (NAS)