After God’s continued grace and His covenant plan of redemption was revealed to Noah, it wasn’t long until mankind again continued in his own folly and self-pride. Noah himself became drunken with wine and thus placed himself in a position that opened the door for one of his own sons to sin. Had he forgotten all that God had done? I think not. Did he lose his salvation of faith? No, but it shows that even the most faithful must remain sober, diligent and watchful of their relationship with the Heavenly Father. When we neglect to spend time in prayer and Bible Study we tend to allow our spirits and hearts to become filled with those things of this world. As a father would, I am certain Noah was filled with remorse for his own foolishness. As men began to increase in numbers again to replenish the earth, they desired to gather and prove that man could do anything in their own strength, they wanted to “build for themselves a name.” Oh the folly of these self-exalting hearts of men. Thus they were planning to build a tower to heaven on their own. God divided them by language and geographically there at the tower of Babel. (Genesis 11) Once more, the wickedness and the evil of man began to cover all of the earth. God then chose Abraham and set forth His covenant with Abraham as follows.
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God’s Covenant of Redemption by Future Grace given to Abraham was given by Faith Alone.
Genesis 12: “Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”
Let us take special note here. In God’s plan of redemption, from Abraham would come the Savior of the world—not merely the nation that would later become known as the Israelites. God chose to separate a people to Himself that He promised to preserve—no matter what until the time that the “Body of God—His Son” would come to pay the price for all of mankind’s sin. The only true sacrifice that could be acceptable to justly provide a means that wicked, rebellious man might be saved. How was Abraham set apart? Was it Abram’s own works of righteousness that positioned him as to be chosen? No, God called Abram and by faith Abraham followed. If you read carefully the story of Abraham; often, he got it wrong—still, his heart was bent toward God and he followed by faith alone.
So what was at the center of God’s covenant with Abraham?
1. God’s Covenant Plan of Redemption by Grace through faith
2. God’s Covenant of His Own Faithfulness
Mankind gave no reason that should justify God’s keeping His covenant of redemption or His own faithfulness. Indeed, God’s faithfulness stood while mankind had no semblance of faithfulness toward God. God having created man’s heart knew that the only thing that could bring true joy-filling man with love and hope was a relationship with Him. Man was created that God might pour out His Joy, His Love and His Glory upon them; yet, man continually chose self over God and sought to seek out after counterfeit joys that could never satisfy.
What are you seeking after today as your greatest prize?
Please listen to this brief excerpt of John Piper explaining “Justification by Faith Alone.”
© 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.”