There are different ways to define the word covenant. We could look to the original languages, such as Hebrew or Greek. We could also examine the context of various biblical passages to see how the word is used. But from a biblical and conceptual standpoint, I would like to offer this definition:
A covenant is a promise made with commitment and sustained by memory.
That is so important to remember!
Throughout biblical history, God has made promises to man, demonstrated His commitment, and always remained faithful to His side of the covenant (Ps. 105:8; 2 Tim. 2:13). That said, we also see numerous occasions when men have failed to honor their promises to God. They have failed to honor their commitments. And so often, it is because they have forgotten the depth of their commitment or how they felt when the promise was first made (Deut. 8:11–18).
Let me give you a modern example.
Think about what happens when a marriage begins to fall apart and one (or both) individuals are no longer honoring their side of the covenant (Mal. 2:14). In working with people, I have heard statements like, “I don’t think I ever really loved this person,” or something of that nature.
But here is the thing. When you got married, you made a promise. You made a commitment. You knew what you were doing, and you knew how you felt when you promised to remain faithful to the person you were marrying!
The problem is that somewhere along the way, perhaps one lost sight of those feelings. Maybe they forgot the words they spoke when making their vows before God and to their spouse. Whatever explanation someone might offer, I wonder how often the real problem is that something has simply been forgotten (Prov. 2:17). The depth of those words has been forgotten. The feelings that accompanied them have faded from memory. The seriousness of that commitment has been lost somewhere along the way.
And that is why it is so important to remember what you promised and what you committed yourself to doing.
But there is something else worth considering. When problems arise in a marriage, is that not what we ought to do? We take an honest look at what is going wrong. We examine our own attitudes and actions, consider where we have fallen short, and make the necessary adjustments. And rather than simply abandoning our commitment, we remember why we made it in the first place and work toward honoring it!
Now, apply that to our relationship with God.
When we falter spiritually, when we sin, how often is it because we have forgotten the depth of our need for God and our utter dependence upon Him for everything? Perhaps we have forgotten the promise we made when we entered a covenant relationship with Him.
When we committed our lives to God and were baptized for the remission of our sins, we became new creatures in Christ (Rom. 6:3–4; 2 Cor. 5:17). We committed ourselves to living lives devoted to His service (Rom. 6:5–23). And if we are not doing that, perhaps it is because we have lost sight of what God has done in rescuing us from the despair of sin and death.
And just as we ought to examine ourselves when problems arise in personal relationships, should we not do the same when we find ourselves struggling spiritually? We need to take an honest look at our lives, recognize where we have fallen short, and make whatever corrections are necessary (2 Cor. 13:5). Jesus told the church at Ephesus to remember, repent, and do the first works (Rev. 2:4–5). There is an important lesson in that. Remembering is essential, but remembering ought to move us to action.
Let me also say that this is one of the reasons it is so important for us to examine ourselves carefully and focus our minds when partaking of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week (Lk. 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:23–29). It is why regularly assembling with the saints, praying, reading Scripture, and actively involving ourselves in the service of God are so important. We need to be mentally engaged in these things. We need to remember!
I know that in my own life, when I am struggling, am not as focused as I should be, or as I know I could be, so often it is because I have forgotten just how desperately I need God! Peter warned about this very thing when he described someone who had forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins (2 Pet. 1:9). Have I lost sight of just how much God has done for me, especially in sending His Son to die for my sins?
I need to remember!
And when I recognize that I have lost sight of these things, I need to do more than simply acknowledge it. I need to examine my life, make the necessary corrections, and renew my determination to honor the commitment I made to Him.
I made a promise. I made a commitment. I entered into a covenant relationship with God.
And God? He has made His promises. He has remained faithful to His commitments. And He has not forgotten.
Perhaps it would do us all some good to revisit these things from time to time.
A covenant is a promise made with commitment and sustained by memory.
May we never forget what God has promised, what He has done for us, and what we have committed ourselves to doing in response. And when we recognize that we have fallen short, may we have the humility to examine ourselves, make the necessary corrections, and renew our commitment to faithfully serving Him (Acts 8:22–25; 1 Jn. 1:8–2:2).
