So Adam had chosen the creation rather than the creator; yet, God made a covenant of Grace-a covenant of redemption and a covenant of God’s faithfulness. He provided a picture of Christ in establishing a sacrificial system of offering. From the first generation onward through all of history, some would come humbly before God bringing to Him their offering of praise and others would proudly bring the “works” of their own hands and be angry when God did not accept them. There again lay the problem that man desired to be exalted and made worthy by his own works. Yet, the only righteousness which God can accept is His own righteousness; because it is the only pure and perfect righteousness untainted by evil. That was why His plan of redemption for fallen
used by courtesy of @istock
Noah found Grace in the eyes of the Lord. God remained true to His own Faithfulness to fulfill His Covenant Plan of Redemption for wicked man that Christ would pay the price for man to Gain the Prize of Joy in God.
man was through the sacrifice of Christ in the which not only did He cover man’s sin; but also, clothed mankind with His righteousness for all who would believe in Him. You say, but Christ had not died in the Old Testament? True, but God’s covenant of redemption and His covenant of His faithfulness to accomplish this were laid out in His covenant with Adam, thus salvation in the Old Testament was also by faith. As the years went by, man continued to seek his own
pleasure following after evil rather than God. Genesis 6:“5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.7 And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” God does grieve over man’s rebellious heart. God so longs for man to see that God is the only source of joy for this broken world and that He is the only one who can fill man’s heart with the light of glory. Man was created to be filled with the overflowing love, joy and glory of God; yet, man chooses darkness instead. Thus God brought the flood. Yet, He remained faithful and He kept true to His Covenant of Redemption; because Was Noah righteous on his own? No, but he believed God, he talked with God and he did as God commanded him in building the ark. He did this by faith. He had never seen rain, but God said it would come. He was ridiculed by all and called a fool; but, he followed God’s command by faith. That faith was a part of redemption’s song, that faith lead to his salvation and that of his family. So, then came the flood with Noah and his family sealed within the Ark. After the flood, Noah brought a sacrifice to God in gracious, humble praise for God’s gift of salvation. Then God made a covenant with Noah. Genesis 9: 9-17 records that covenant in which God placed the rainbow in the sky as a symbol of that covenant in which God would never again destroy all of mankind by a flood. So what was in the center of God’s Covenant within the events of Noah?
1. God’s Covenant Plan of Redemption by Grace through faith
2. God’s Covenant of His Faithfulness
So what does this mean to us? God knows that the only thing which will fill the heart of man with joy is God, himself. He, by His act of Grace and Mercy provided the only means of restoring that relationship. He has been faithful throughout all the years to provide that plan of redemption through His Son. Christ was the price that had to be paid to provide man with the highest prize of the gospel which is joy in God. Look at Romans 5: “6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.”
Do you know Christ as your Savior?
If not ask Him into your heart. You may contact me if you have any questions. If you want to know more about salvation, listen to Alistair Begg’s sermon for today-Justified by His Grace.
© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned with the exception of my own book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”