Children of the Covenant

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

Children of the covenant – an honored name

A Godly progeny, a peculiar and holy nation

Children of the prophets whose doctrines we claim

Children and heirs of the promise before creation

There exists an ancient covenant from the days of Adam and Eve and even before in the great planning councils of creation, wherein God offers knowledge, power, and the way and means to return to His presence.  This covenant process works somewhat like a school where the principles and practices of a Godly life are given by God and received by His children through covenants and then celebrated by rituals called ordinances.  Those who enroll and pursue this Godly course may be properly called Children of the Covenant.  Thus, the scriptures proclaim “25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.”  (Acts 3:25)

Biblical scholars cannot agree regarding the number of covenants or which ones are conditional or unconditional.  Many look at God’s dealings with man and divide His expectations and promises into seven specific covenants.   From a Biblical point of view these covenants include the (1) Adamic, Edenic, or Creation Covenant, - Genesis 1:26-30, 2:16-17, and 3:15-19, (2) Noahic, - Genesis 9, (3) Abrahamic,  - Genesis 17:4-5, 12:3, (4) Palestinian or Land Covenant, - Deuteronomy 30:1-10, (5) Mosaic, - Exodus 20,  Deuteronomy 11:26-28,  (6) Davidic, - 2 Samuel 8-16  and (7) New Covenant. – Jeremiah 31:31-34, Matthew 5:17.  Some scholars further sub-divide these and some combine these covenants. 

One theological approach suggests that as God is everlasting and is “the same yesterday, today, and forever,” (Hebrews 13:8), then His covenant is everlasting and not so much as different in each dispensational period, but renewed following periods of apostasy from His ways.  Hence, each time His covenant is renewed, it becomes a “New and Everlasting Covenant” for its new recipients and for which they are and will be accountable.  This understanding appears very consistent with God’s dealings with His children in all times and places.

The “conditional – unconditional” covenant debate appears to put too fine a point on the exact language that may or may not have been used in the bestowal of the covenant.  As any parent can attest, ALL parents put bounds and conditions upon their children’s behavior and actions, declaring what will happen if there is an infraction, or what reward will be given with obedience.  Even parental love is subject to the bounds and conditions set by the child who may create rules and conditions for accepting the parent’s often unyielding love.  Such has always been the case with God’s covenant children.  Our Father in Heaven has always been generous to His children.  While His reasons and purposes for declaring the House of Israel His chosen people, He provides a way and means for ALL of His children regardless of race or gender, or nationality to be a part of His divine family.  Whether by lineage or adoption, we can be a covenant child of God.  Thus, the invitation to ALL to come unto Christ.  29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”  (Galatians 3:29)

Thus, being children of the covenant, regardless of one’s dispensational perspective, is a high and holy calling and achievement - one that requires constant vigilance, dedication, and perseverance.  And, from time to time, a remedial course in repentance and re-learning the basic tenants of the covenant until we “get it right.”

Our mediation, Children of the Covenant, celebrates this noble birthright and pleads:

May we honor our covenant title and name

And be virtuous in all we think, feel, and do

May our actions confirm our convictions and claim

Our Godly endowment as our covenants we renew

Children of the Covenant

Verily I say unto you, yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have testified of me.  And behold, ye are the children of the prophets; and ye are of the house of Israel; and ye are of the covenant which the Father made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham: And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.  The Father having raised me up unto you first, and sent me to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities; and this because ye are the children of the covenant—

Book of Mormon   3 Nephi 20:24-26

Children of the covenant – an honored name

A Godly progeny, a peculiar and holy nation

Children of the prophets whose doctrines we claim

Children and heirs of the promise before creation

Covenant children, inheritors of the divine crest

Endowed through the covenants we embrace

By ordinances filled with light - we are blessed

Inheritors of Godly power, truth and grace

Covenant children entitled to help and protection

As God hedges up the way and turns us from sin

Like a shepherd watching his sheep with affection

Jesus loves, watches, and guides His covenant kin

A child of the covenant is a holy appointment

Worthy of our finest effort and best behavior

Often requiring Christ’s atoning ointment

As we are saved by the grace of our Savior 

May we honor our covenant title and name

And be virtuous in all we think, feel, and do

May our actions confirm our convictions and claim

Our Godly endowment as our covenants we renew

Larry Doyle Crenshaw