Expectations

Now if you will listen to Me and carefully keep My covenant, you will be My own possession out of all the peoples, although all the earth is Mine, 6 and you will be My kingdom of priests and My holy nation.

Ex 19:5-6 (HCSB)

When we enter into covenant with God He has some expectations.

A covenant is a binding agreement in a relationship. A marriage vow is a covenant. Many churches will covenant with a new pastor as He comes to serve. Friends sometime have a covenant of friendship. Church congregations will have a covenant. It is an agreement but it centers around relationship. Where as a contract is an agreement in legal and business setting a covenant always centers around a relationship.

When we become a Christ follower we enter into a covenant with God. We don't often see salvation as a covenant. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and offers us forgiveness. Our end of the covenant is to recognize the gift of grace through our faith. Because of God's grace then we do works and obey God as our Master. What happens if we don't do works or obey? Well that is evidence that we have not truly entered into the covenant.

So what is the point in all of this? God says to Israel, if you obey you will be my special people and I will be your God. You will be a holy nation and a holy priesthood. He had some expectations of them. He also has some expectations of us.

As we live out our lives today let us recognize our covenant with Him, living in obedience and enjoying the relationship we have with a great God.