Explore the rich tapestry of biblical covenants from creation to the new covenant at the Last Supper. Discover how Adam's choices define humanity's salvation and the contrasting concepts of works and grace. Delve into the profound significance of God's promises to Abraham, emphasizing that faith, not works, is key. The conversation also highlights the law’s role in revealing human sinfulness, reinforcing our innate need for salvation through Christ. Join the journey of understanding grace and redemption.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of understanding covenants in biblical redemption, highlighting how God's relationship with humanity evolves through key biblical figures.
It distinguishes between the covenant of works and the covenant of grace, illustrating that salvation comes through faith in Christ, not human effort.
Deep dives
Understanding Covenants in Biblical Redemption
The concept of covenant is central to understanding biblical redemption, as it encapsulates God's relationship with humanity throughout history. Starting with the Adamic covenant, which encompasses all of humanity, individuals are held accountable to this covenant regardless of their belief in God. Following this, the covenants made with Noah, Abraham, and Moses illustrate God's ongoing commitment to His people, each highlighting different aspects of His promise. Ultimately, these covenants culminate in the new covenant initiated by Christ, showcasing a continuous pattern of grace extending from creation to salvation.
The Distinction Between Law and Grace
The distinction between the covenant of works and the covenant of grace is critical for a proper understanding of salvation. The covenant of works, established with Adam, sets a standard that governs human obedience, suggesting that failure to uphold this covenant results in death. In contrast, the covenant of grace offers salvation through faith rather than adherence to the law. Notably, this underscores that justification is not achieved by human works, but by the perfect obedience of Christ, who fulfills the requirements of the covenant of works on behalf of humanity.
The Law as a Mirror of Our Imperfection
The law serves as a reflective mirror, revealing human sinfulness and the curse that comes with violating God's commands. By showing the imperfections of humanity, the law emphasizes the need for a savior, as no one can achieve righteousness through their own efforts. This realization highlights the ultimate futility of relying on the works of the law for justification, reinforcing the importance of faith in Christ. Thus, the law's role is not only to expose sin but to point to the grace available in Christ, who alone can redeem and justify the sinner.
The law of God is a wake-up call to remind us of our sin—and of our need for a Savior. From his sermon series in the book of Galatians, today R.C. Sproul explains how Christ has delivered His people from the law’s condemnation by keeping the law perfectly in their place.
Meet Today’s Teacher: R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was known for his ability to winsomely and clearly communicate deep, practical truths from God’s Word. He was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. Meet the Host: Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of ministry engagement for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, host of the Ask Ligonier podcast, and a graduate of Presbyterian Theological College in Melbourne, Australia. Nathan joined Ligonier in 2012 and lives in Central Florida with his wife and four children.
Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts
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