Passive was chosen BECAUSE THE COVENANT PROMISE IN CHRIST WAS GOING TO HAPPEN NO MATTER WHAT (IMO).
Bill Taylor wrote:
Yes to the emphasized. Does anyone think otherwise?
I agree that the "covenant promise in Christ" was going to happen no matter what, but from my perspective, that would not necessarily mean that Abraham would be a passive participant.
It seems to me that Lance and John S. have a different understanding of "unilateral covenant." Nothing is wrong with that, but when phrases are used and people have something different in mind, it can be confusing. That is why I am asking a question that deals with a more basic assumption concerning the covenant.
The children of Abraham were promised through the covenant a particular parcel of land. Yet, because of their breaking of the covenant, they were cut off and did not inherit that promise.
"And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief."
(Hebrews 3:18-19)
Doesn't this imply a conditional covenant, an agreement with promises that require a particular response from us? The author of Hebrews relates this to our own covenant with Christ in very strong terms:
"Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it."
(Hebrews 4:1-2)
This response of faith, then, is a condition of the covenant. Our faith certainly comes from God, as all good things do, but if we forsake the faith he gives us, do we continue to inherit the benefits of our covenant with God?
Peace be with you.
David Miller.
---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org
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