Covenant Orientation Talk 1
Covenant Orientation Talk 1
We need to appreciate how the CFC covenant helps us to live out our faith in
concrete situations in our day-to-day life.
THE COVENANT ORIENTATION AND THE CFC
1. What is a covenant?
A covenant is a formal agreement between two or more
parties, often involving mutual commitments. In religious
contexts, it signifies a bond or promise made by God to His
people, outlining the expectations and responsibilities
involved.
A covenant means a binding agreement, a legal contract.
In the old testament the covenant is an agreement
between the greater or more powerful person and a lesser
person. It was usually the powerful person who initiated
the covenant.
The old covenant and
the new covenant
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Ang gipamulong niini nagtumong sa ideya sa pagbayad ug sa natural
nga relasyon tali sa grasya sa Dios ug sa tubag sa tawo. Gipadayag niini
nga ang mga hangyo sa Dios dili mga arbitraryong panginahanglan kon
dili usa ka natural nga pag-awas nga naggikan sa gugma ug mga
panalangin nga gihatag na.
There are also blessings and curses. Our
response has internal consequences.
Blessings: Curses:
Rewards for Faithfulness: When we choose Consequences of Disobedience: When we
to follow God's ways, obey His commands, choose to disobey God, turn away from
and live in accordance with His will, we are His ways, or reject His authority, we risk
promised blessings. These blessings can be
incurring curses. These curses can be
material, like prosperity and good health,
but also spiritual, like peace, joy, and a
physical, like sickness or misfortune, but
close relationship with God. also spiritual, like separation from God
and a hardened heart.
God's Justice: Curses are not a
God's Favor: Blessings are a tangible
expression of God's favor and love. They
punishment in the sense of being
are a sign that we are walking in His path vindictive. They are a natural consequence
and that He is pleased with us. of our choices and a reflection of God's
justice. Just as obedience brings blessings,
disobedience brings consequences.
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Our response has internal
consequences.
1.The Commandment:
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you,
you also are to love one another." (John 13:34)
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
(John 13:35)
Understanding the Commandment:
A New Commandment: This commandment is "new" not in the sense that love is a new
concept, but in the way it is expressed. Jesus is calling for a radical, self-sacrificial love that
mirrors His own love for His disciples.
The Essence of Love: Jesus' love is characterized by humility, forgiveness, and service. He
washed the feet of His disciples, even though they were His equals. This act of service
illustrates the depth of His love.
Love as a Defining Mark: The way we love one another is a defining characteristic of being
Jesus' disciples. It's not just about feeling good about someone; it's about actively choosing
to serve and care for them, even when it's difficult.
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Conclusion
The old and New Testament are God's old and new efforts to establish a relationship with his people.
Old Covenant: Law and Ritual: The Old Covenant focused on outward laws and rituals, emphasizing obedience to God's
commands
New Covenant: Heart Transformation: The New Covenant, established through Jesus Christ, emphasizes an inward
transformation of the heart. God writes His law on our hearts, making us desire to obey Him from within