“…in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began…” Titus 1:2
Consider these thoughtful comments on the “pact made in eternity” amongst the members of the Trinity. Dr. R. C. Sproul brings forth a number of significant theological observations, and he also encourages the reader to dwell upon a number of practical applications. Enjoy!
“The covenant of redemption is intimately concerned with God’s eternal plan. It is called a covenant inasmuch as the plan involves two or more parties. This is not a covenant between God and humans. It is a covenant among the persons of the Godhead, specifically between the Father and the Son. God did not become triune at creation or at the Incarnation. His triunity is as eternal as His being. He is one in essence and three in person from all eternity. The covenant of redemption is a corollary to the doctrine of the Trinity. Like the word trinity, the Bible nowhere explicitly mentions it. The word trinity does not appear in the Bible, but the concept of the Trinity is affirmed throughout Scripture. Likewise, the phrase covenant of redemption does not occur explicitly in Scripture but the concept is heralded throughout.”
“Listen to Jesus as He prays to the Father at the end of His ministry: ‘Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You; And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was’ (John 17:1-5 NKJV). The covenant of redemption was a transaction that involved both obligation and reward. The Son entered into a sacred agreement with the Father. He submitted Himself to the obligations of that covenantal agreement. An obligation was likewise assumed by the Father — to give His Son a reward for doing the work of redemption.”
“In his systematic theology, Charles Hodge lists eight promises the Father gave to the Son in this pact made in eternity. Briefly they are: that God would form a purified Church for His Son; that the Son would receive the Spirit without measure; that He would be ever-present to support Him; that He would deliver Him from death and exalt Him to His right hand; that He would have the Holy Spirit to send to whom He willed; that all the Father gave to Him would come to Him and none of these be lost; that multitudes would partake of His redemption and His messianic kingdom; that He would see the travail of His soul and be satisfied. Because God honored the eternal covenant of redemption, Christ became the heir of His Father’s promises. Because this covenant was never violated, we reap its benefits as heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.”
These are some really good words to reflect on! They speak to the level of assurance we enjoy as Christians; in that the Lord planned our salvation from all eternity, and that those whom Christ saved can never be unsaved. Jesus states this truth best when he declares, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them from my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30)
— Dr. Marcus J. Serven
Source:
https://www.ligonier.org/blog/what-covenant-redemption/
(Accessed 2-17-21)
