I really enjoy when two seemingly unrelated conversations or concepts marry up for a fascinating revelation. That happened recently.
The first was a sunday school lesson for the 7th/8th grades. The topic was the Abramic covenant–especially the test of offering his son, Isaac. We discussed the differences between a covenant (stronger/weaker) and contract (equal parties).
Then, we applied the covenant concept to the examples in the Bible and our own lives.
God – Adam: Stronger promises to provide and protect, weaker promises faithfulness.
God – Noah: Stronger promises to provide and protect, weaker promises faithfulness.
God – Abraham: Stronger promises to provide and protect, weaker promises faithfulness.
God – Stronger promises to provide and protect, weaker promises faithfulness.
Jesus – Church: Stronger promises to provide and protect, weaker promises faithfulness.
Husband – Wife: Stronger promises to provide and protect, weaker promises faithfulness.
The second was a conversation I had with an employee and friend. He was, apparently, feeling conflicted about his decision, as a Christian, to conceal carry. He said, “if someone intrudes to take my stuff, that’s fine. if they come to harm my family, then I stop them, even up to shooting them…I know I’m sinning, but….”
I usually try to help the conflicting soul see that following Jesus comes before everyone, even family. We could point to scriptures where Jesus says, unless you forsake all, you cannot follow me. This time, I didn’t say anything, just thought.
Then, I have the lesson and something clicks. Could God be telling us to break one covenant in order to hold to another? Can two covenants ever be in conflict? Jesus was clear that he did not break the Old Covenant, he fulfilled it–he kept it. If Jews came to trust in Christ, were they breaking the Old Covenant with God / Moses by coming under the Jesus / Church covenant?
My employee made a covenant with his wife to provide and protect. He also made a covenant to Jesus (was baptized into His body) to be faithful. In one covenant, he is the stronger, in the other, he is the weaker. Is it possible to break his faithfulness covenant to Jesus so he can keep his provide and protect covenant with his wife?
I’m sure you know the right answer, if for no other reason than you know about Jesus saying that a house divided against itself cannot stand. God’s law cannot stand if it is built on contradictions. I think my employee knew that he was sinning to break Jesus’ faithfulness teaching “do violence to know man” and “love your enemies” but he couldn’t reconcile it easily. Certainly, all the voices in the world are encouraging us to do just that–break your covenant with Jesus in order to keep your covenant with your wife or country. They set it up as an either / or. How harmful and foolish.
Be faithful to your covenant with Jesus and it will make you the most faithful party in any other covenants you make!!