An Analysis of the Covenant of Redemption 8

Anyone familiar with Scripture is aware of the ubiquitous "therefore." Some great doctrinal truth is stated and expounded with careful precision, then comes the "therefore," indicating that doctrine is never merely an intellectual exercise. There are always practical implications and ramification to what we believe. Hence it is incumbent upon us to be diligent students of Scripture that we might believe aright.

Having said that, I wish to close this series on the Covenant of Redemption by pointing out some of the practical implications of this most comforting doctrine.

Practical Observations Concerning the Covenant of Redemption

We have spent a great deal of time and effort showing that relative to the salvation of the elect there is a Covenant of Redemption between the Father and the Lord Jesus. I hope with all earnestness that no one supposes this to merely a matter of intellectual speculation, and that once one gets a handle on it, he can move on to other things, as if it were no more important than that. All doctrine has practical ramifications. This doctrine is the foundation and ground of unspeakable comfort, true joy, and holy wonderment at God's glory. We should strive to understand this doctrine - and to understand it aright, making frequent use of its manifold comforts.

In view of the Covenant of Redemption, we observe:

(1) The salvation of the elect is sure. Both parties are mutually satisfied. The elect need not keep themselves for they are in Christ's keeping. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Rom 8:35). Who shall disannul the covenant which has been established between them both? “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Cor 15:55).

(2) The elect do not need to either accomplish their salvation or merit it. Nor indeed, do they need to add anything to it. In the Covenant of Redemption all the conditions which were laid down have been met by the Surety. He bore their punishment and He merited eternal life for them by perfectly fulfilling all righteousness. All Christ's merits extend to God's children.

(3) The Covenant of Graces and our covenant transaction with God in Christ, is based on, and rests completed in this Covenant of Redemption between the Father and the Son. All of man's salvation - from beginning to end - issues from this covenant. Before anything or anyone existed it had already been decreed when, where and how each of the elect would be brought into the covenant.

(4) This covenant reveals God's unsurpassed love. Consider that you were the object of eternal love and the mutual delight of the Father and Son to save you! Will your heart not be filled with praise and wonder? The Father and Son were not moved to include any of us in this covenant because of some foreseen faith or good works. It was merely God's love and good pleasure. “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love” (Jer 31:3). “We love Him, because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

(5) By virtue of the Covenant of Redemption, Christ is the executor of the salvation of the elect. The Father has given them to the Son and He will not lose one of them and will raise them up at the last day (John 6:39). Christ is all powerful and He is faithful. Little wonder then that the elect may say, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." We trust in the faithful promises of the faithful Christ. “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me” (Ps 138:8); “Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (Ps 73:24); “Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him” (Ps 2:12)!