Covenant Training

I realize that most of the time the ones to whom I speak words of affirmation and blessing to are people generally make me feel better about myself or that I think will give me a sense of worth. Those who are difficult and negative and are hard for me to live around or who are just bland and not very life-giving, with these people I struggle to think of anything to say to be life-giving and affirmative. This is quite normal for most of us and nothing unusual. This is the result of contract thinking – responding in kind to how people make us feel.

I was reminded of what Jesus said. It is easy to bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. But being children of your Father in heaven we are to bless those who curse you and do good to those who misuse you. That is covenant living in contrast to contract living.

We are here this weekend in Branson, MO attending a Marriage Covenant Weekend by Mannalife and Family Foundations. Last night and this morning Craig Hill explained the different aspects and elements that are involved in covenants. It is very fascinating and enlightening and has enormous implications for all of life if taken seriously.

One of the most important differences between covenants and contracts is that contracts are bilateral promises that are contingent on performance by the agreeing parties involved. In contrast, covenants involve unilateral commitments by each party that are binding irregardless of the performance or non-performance of the other person. In contracts each party hires lawyers to take their side and work to defend them and protect their rights and privileges. In covenant there is one enforcer who does not take the side of either party but is there to defend, protect and look out for the interests of the covenant itself.

When I put on these glasses and again look back at the Bible, I am amazed to see how much of the teachings of Jesus are an urgent invitation for us to leave our contract-based religion and relationships, particularly with God, and enter back into covenant relationships and ways of thinking. This can be very frightening at first because it strips away all our reservations and alternatives and leaves us completely vulnerable in every way to the person we are in covenant with. But when the benefits are realized and the amazing potential for growth and increased satisfaction and fulfillment are taken into consideration, it becomes obvious that this is really what we were designed for in our deepest hearts. This has been God plan for His people since before the beginning of time and will always continue into eternity. Contract-based relationships are the basis of Satan's counterfeit government and lead to fractured hearts, disappointment and incredible pain.

Jesus, in myself I do not find the capacity and natural tendencies to be a faithful covenant keeper. My mind and heart often draw a blank even if I choose to try. This is definitely where You are going to have to live out through me Your own character and desires, overriding my natural tendencies. Train my heart, open my heart, cause me to live from my heart with You abiding there so others will receive Your blessing in their lives in spite of my emptiness and brokenness.

Be like your Father in heaven – He does not treat us as we deserve or based on how we treat Him – that is contract thinking – but be like Him in how He unilaterally loves and blesses all because that is what it is like Him to do. If we are His children, then we learn to act like His family in covenant thinking in the way we treat our enemies as well as those who love us.