Riaan Engelbrecht 
The Covenant 

As the children of God we have a covenant in place with God. A covenant is similar to an agreement, or a binding contract. By the Covenant of Grace, we are redeemed and liberated from our sins and former life of carnality. Yet we also have a part to play, even though we may not always think so. Our part is to love God, to obey Him, to follow His Word, to have no other ‘gods’, to lead holy and pure lives and to fulfil the Great Commission. It is in simplicity also to uphold the Ten Commandments. Jesus gave all His Blood for the Covenant, which ensures our eternal life, provision and protection. How often do we truly stand still and contemplate the Covenant? We often think of Jesus’ death and ascension solely in light of redeeming us from sin, yet His Blood was shed to ratify (sign or give formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement, therefore making it officially valid) the Covenant. By our spiritual covenant, we are betrothed unto God, and we will one day celebrate the marriage with the feast in heaven. In this series of works, we look at the importance of the Covenant, and the absolute necessity to honour and uphold it. God is not one to be mocked and trifled with. He is holy, mighty and glorious. As His creation, we need to pay attention to Him, to His order, and to truth. May we worship Him and may we walk in His holiness as Covenant-keeping servants of the Most High.