“Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”
(Psalm 100:3)
The biblical account of God’s relationship with his people is a compelling story of divine benevolence and human response and clearly demonstrates God’s unfailing commitment to His creation. This commitment is made evident by way of His various covenants throughout history which offer a glimpse into His desire to maintain a beneficial relationship with His people.
God’s initial covenant with man, the covenant of works He established with Adam, set the stage for this divine-human interaction and promised life and blessings contingent upon obedience. Yet, the fall of man introduced a chasm that no human effort could bridge, underscoring the need for divine intervention.[1]
That intervention took the form of a New Covenant, the Covenant of Grace which provided the only way possible for the creature to be restored to the Creator. Unlike its predecessor, this covenant was based not on works, but on faith in Christ as Savior and Lord, offering life and salvation freely to sinners (sometimes called the Covenant of Faith). God’s infinitely merciful character is the basis for this divine arrangement that promises not just reconciliation but a transformation of the human heart, enabling believers to fulfill the covenant through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Administration of this covenant evolved from the time of the law to the current age of grace. Under the law, it was represented through promises, prophecies, sacrifices, and other types and ordinances, all pointing toward the coming Messiah (promises). These elements served as shadows of the good things to come, teaching and guiding the elect toward faith in the promised Savior. In this way, the Old Testament laid the foundation and prepared the way for the New Covenant.
With the arrival of the Messiah, the substance of this New Covenant, the New Testament era began (performance). This period is marked by a simplification and intensification of the covenant’s administration through the preaching of the Word and the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These means of grace, though fewer in number than those found in the covenant of works, effectively convey the fullness and spiritual efficacy of this covenant to all people.
In short, the covenant of grace, regardless of the dispensation, reflects the consistency of God’s redemptive plan, a plan that transcends time and cultures, offering salvation through faith in Christ.
Contemplations:
- The Unchanging Promise: Psalm 100:3 reminds me of the immutable, timeless nature of God’s various covenants under both law and grace which demonstrate His unwavering commitment to His people. It comforts me to know that despite the different ways in which God’s covenants have been administered, the essential thread running through them all remains the same—the promise of salvation and eternal life in Christ.
- The Grace of Belief: The covenant of grace promises life and salvation through faith in Christ simply by believing in the finished work of Christ. As Paul states in Ephesians 2:8, it is not “of ourselves” that we are saved, for it is a “gift of God.” Further, this grace does not simply guarantee passage to heaven, it also invites us into a transformed life here and now, one that is empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in a way that honors God.
- From Shadows to Substance: The transition from the Old to the New Testament highlights a journey from shadow to substance, from types and ordinances to their fulfillment in Christ (from promise to performance). It is a fascinating study to see how the rituals and ceremonies of the Old Testament, which once seemed like mere religious practices, find their meaning and fulfillment in Jesus. This realization deepens my appreciation for the Bible as a unified story of redemption.
- A Universal Call: Above all, the covenant of grace that extends to all people reflects God’s transcendent love. Under this New Covenant, the gospel is not confined to a specific people or time but is a universal call to humanity, confirming that the mission of the church is to share the love, work and merit of Christ with everyone, regardless of their background or beliefs.
Further References for Psalm 100:3:
Psalm 106:1; Psalm 119:90; Jer. 33:11; Nah. 1:7
[1] David Dickson, The Confession of Faith, (Edinbourg: George Swinton and Thomas Brown, and are to be sold by James Glen and David Trench, 1671), 20.
