Welcome!
Passage: Gen 7, NIV 84
Today: A God of covenant!
12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: 13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. (Gen 9, NIV 84)-emphasis added
God of the Bible is a God of covenant, not a God of contract!
A covenant shows a relationship, together with a responsibility. In a contract, responsibilities come first; relationship is secondary
When things of God are handled like a contract than a covenant, there will be unnecessary confusion, competition and complications. When someone says, “I will do it no matter what”, it sounds more like a contract, than a covenant- like a thing of the world, than a thing of the word – of God!
In most of the elections that take place in the church/ regional committees and other positions where “voting” of any kind is involved, we see the nature of contract
God is our role-model and His word, our guideline. Today’s church has traveled a long distance away from God; we have a long way to go back!
Marriage, as instituted by God, is a covenant; it will last as long as it is treated as a covenant, and not a contract. Covenant lasts, contract expires!
At the age of 12, when Mary and Joseph left Jesus at the temple and walked a day’s distance, it took them three days to go back and get to Jesus!
Today, many people “command” Jesus to come to where they are; Jesus would still come, but in most cases, the people are not available!
After the flood, God kept the rainbow so that it will be a sign of God’s covenant with man and the other living creatures;
( God likes animals, birds, plants and the trees. As long as we don’t worship those creatures, it is a good thing to love them and care for them!)
God loves the people of the world. God is full of love, and is “Love”. If we are God’s children and have no love, there is a problem somewhere
“Love” forgives wrong, but it also corrects wrong. Love does not keep quiet, when it sees wrong. Pointing someone’s “wrongs” in the right way is not hatred, but love! The attitude/reason behind the correction matters, more than the act itself
6 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal 6, NIV 84)
God’s covenant does not change His character; God is also a God of justice!
When we meet God, and as He meets us, let Him not say, “I don’t know you!”
Have a blessed day!
BG
Prayer: Father God, you are a God of Love and Justice, which I rarely seen in the world around me. Help me to be a channel of your Love and Justice to those who are deprived of them; help me to practice what I preach. In Jesus’ name; Amen
The rainbow reminds God of His covenant with us; the cross of Christ reminds us of God’s commitment to us!