In what ways can we ensure we are not "violating My covenant" today? Grasping the Heart of the Covenant God’s covenant is His binding promise and relationship with His people—marked by His steadfast love and our faithful obedience (Exodus 19:5-6; Jeremiah 31:33). To “violate My covenant” is to treat that holy bond lightly, disregarding His commands or trusting substitutes for His grace. Why Covenant-Keeping Still Matters • Jesus proclaimed, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood” (Luke 22:20). • Faith in Christ saves, yet obedience proves the reality of that faith (John 14:15). • The new covenant writes God’s law on our hearts, not erasing it (Hebrews 8:10). Recognizing Common Ways We Drift • Neglecting Scripture—forgetting what God has plainly said (Deuteronomy 8:11). • Compartmentalizing faith—treating Sunday as holy, the rest of the week as ours (Isaiah 29:13). • Loving the world’s values—“friendship with the world is hostility toward God” (James 4:4). • Redefining sin—calling evil good to fit cultural moods (Isaiah 5:20). • Embracing idolatry of self—placing personal desires above God’s will (Exodus 20:3). Practical Steps to Guard the Covenant 1. Daily Word Immersion • “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). • Read, meditate, and memorize; let Scripture set the agenda for thought and action. 2. Ongoing Confession and Repentance • “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us” (1 John 1:9). • Keep short accounts with God; do not allow habitual sin to calcify. 3. Whole-Life Worship • Present bodies “as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—your spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1). • Integrate faith into work, relationships, finances, and recreation. 4. Covenant Community Engagement • “And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Submit to accountable fellowship; receive correction and encourage others. 5. Guarding Doctrine • “Hold to the pattern of sound teaching” (2 Timothy 1:13). • Test every book, sermon, and podcast against Scripture; reject subtle distortions. 6. Practicing Generous Obedience • “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me” (Matthew 25:40). • Serve, give, and love in tangible ways; obedience is active, not theoretical. Warnings to Heed • “If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law…all these curses will come upon you” (Deuteronomy 28:58-59). • “We must pay closer attention…so we do not drift away” (Hebrews 2:1). God’s faithfulness is unwavering, yet He disciplines covenant-breakers for their restoration (Hebrews 12:6). Promises to Embrace • “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). • “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion” (Philippians 1:6). Remaining faithful is rooted not in human resolve alone but in leaning on the Spirit’s power (Galatians 5:16). Scriptures to Remember • Jeremiah 11:4—“Obey Me, and you will be My people, and I will be your God.” • Leviticus 26:15—“If you reject My statutes and despise My ordinances…you will break My covenant.” • John 15:10—“If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love.” • 1 Corinthians 11:25—“This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” Holding fast to Christ, walking in obedient love, and staying anchored in His Word ensure we honor rather than violate the covenant today. |
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