Page 14 - Biblical Theology Textbook - masters

Some have turned this motivation of God into a test of whether or not a professing Christian is
saved. This is confusing a condition with a desired result. God wanted to create a holy people.
God created a people that are holy positionally. They are being made holy experientially. That
they struggle or fail to be sanctified in daily life is not proof of their being a Christian. In the end
even those who struggle the most will be made experientially holy when they are given
resurrection bodies. It is therefore not correct to look at an individual’s level of holiness to
ascertain the whether or not they are going to spend eternity with God.

To use us in His plan of salvation
God does not simply deliver us from the consequences of sin and say “Ok! Now be good until I
get back.” He gave us His Spirit and a mission. He told us to make disciples in all the world.

To reward us for taking part in His plan
Few issues are more misunderstood than the New Testament teaching on rewards. Most believe
we give back our rewards to Jesus (which in not what Revelation says). The parables of Jesus,
the writings of Paul, Peter and James, and the final vision of Jesus in Revelation demonstrate
that rewards are a major aspect of God’s use of believers in salvation.

God Promises to Redeem Mankind through a

Covenant

Shortly after Adam rebelled against God, God made a promise or
covenant with men. He promised a redeemer. This redeemer
would come and bruise the head of Satan (Genesis 3:15). God
then would progressively reveal His redemptive plan as time went on. And during significant times and
dates, God further gave more promises as His plans were unveiled. Some theologians point to eight,
some to seven, and some to five GREAT COVENANTS made by God as promises to fulfill His redemptive
plan. For this course, we have chosen seven to concentrate on, however, before we consider the
various covenants of God, we need to go back in time to the days when these covenants were given.

Validating a Covenant in the Old Testament

When a person purchases a house or any major object, there generally is a contract that is created
where the seller and the buyer agree to specific terms. Contracts are made reciprocally; both parties
must agree to all the terms. If a party defaults on its obligation, the other party has the right to
restitution. Normally the contract will terminate once all obligations have been fulfilled.
A testament or last will is a document or covenant in which a person appoints one or more other
persons to transfer his/her property at death. Technically a will is only created in relation to property
and testament regarding personal possessions. Thus, the reason for the common term of “The last Will
and Testament”. The person creating the will always has sole right to alter or cancel the
document. None of the other parties in the document need to be informed of its creation, alteration or
revocation. The conditions of the document only become active upon the death of the person that
created the document. Although the concept of transferring of blessings is seen in the Bible (Isaac in
Gen 27 and Jacob in Genesis 48) we are also familiar with the concept of double portion for the first
born. This would indicate some rules of inheritance, but not necessarily a legal obligation. God does not
ever make a testament agreement with any individual in the Bible, since God is eternal.

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