In our exploration of the Westminster Larger Catechism, we confront meaningful theological questions that shape our understanding of God’s plan for humanity. Today, we focus on question 31, seeking to reveal the deep truths concerning the covenant of grace, its promises, and the participants involved.
The question at hand is:
“With whom was the covenant of grace made?”
The answer states:
“The covenant of grace was made with Christ as the second Adam, and in him with all the elect as his seed.”
This response captures the core of our relationship with God while accentuating Christ's essential role in our redemption. We are skipping over questions 27-30 for the time being because the subject has been covered quite a bit in the previous post. I encourage you to read through the questions and the answers in addition to the previous post on the topic of sin. All the questions and answers of the Westminster Larger Catechism can be found here (https://thewestminsterstandard.org/westminster-larger-catechism/). Today our focus will be on the far-reaching implications of the covenant of grace, tracing its impact from the Garden of Eden to our present-day faith.
Understanding the Covenant of Grace
To appreciate the covenant of grace fully, we must first clarify what a covenant is. In biblical terms, a covenant represents a formal agreement made between two groups or individuals that establishes a relationship. A covenant is similar to a contract but with some distinct differences. A contract is inherently temporary. For example, if you are building a house, you make a contract with a builder that exists as long as the house is being built. Once the house is built and the terms of the contract have been fulfilled, the contract is over. A covenant is established with the idea of permanence. While the terms of a covenant may be broken, the covenant does not simply end. There are a variety of covenants discussed in scripture, including but not limited to, the Adamic, Noachic, Abrahamic, and marriage. Each type of covenant has unique features and is a topic for another day. For now, it is worth noting that the covenant of grace differs significantly from the covenant of works made with Adam in the Garden of Eden. The Adamic covenant, made between God and Adam as the federal head of humanity, demanded perfect obedience to God. Adam failed to uphold this perfect obedience and fell into sin. The covenant of grace has a similar function but a different outcome, in that Jesus as our new federal head, perfectly upheld all the commands of God.
Put another way, in the Adamic covenant, the federal head, Adam, failed to uphold his side of the covenant, but in the covenant of grace, Jesus as the federal head of his people, has fully fulfilled all the demands of the covenant.
This new covenant carries with it a message of hope and renewal, affirming God’s desire for a relationship with His creation despite humanity's sin. The covenant of grace illustrates how God’s unyielding love, mercy, and grace creates a means of redemption and reconnection.
The Role of Christ as the Second Adam
The answer sheds light on the fact that the covenant of grace was made with Christ, termed the second Adam. This title is critical to understanding how God’s promise unfolds. In Romans 5:12-21, the Apostle Paul contrasts Adam with Christ, illuminating the consequences of Adam's disobedience and demonstrating Christ’s redemptive victory over sin. Verse 12 states, "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned." Here we see Adam represented as our federal head. He, as our representative, and first parent, sinned, and brought sin upon all he represented.
Similarly, Christ as the second Adam, acts as the representative for his people. His obedience redeems Adam’s failures. Where the first Adam failed, Jesus triumphed. This means that believers, through faith in Christ, are granted God’s righteousness and freed from sin's curse.
Looking at the two covenants together is important because we come into the effects of the covenants in similar ways. We come under the condemnation of the first covenant, the Adamic covenant, when we are born. As David writes in Psalm 51:5, "I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." We come into the new covenant, the covenant of grace, in a similar way, this time through the new birth. Jesus states this clearly in John 3:3, "Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."" This emphasizes that salvation is exclusively by Christ's work, not by human actions, inviting believers to find rest in His sufficiency. Our identity as God’s children finds its guarantee in Him.
The Elect as His Seed
The phrase “in him with all the elect as his seed” points to a powerful truth. This phrase signals that through the covenant of grace, those chosen or the elect are intricately united with Christ. This relationship goes beyond mere theory; it has urgent implications for believers. It emphasizes the reality that the work of Christ on the cross fully accomplished salvation for his people, the elect, all those who have or will come to genuine faith in Christ. Christ's work, in his life, death, and resurrection, did not provide the potential for relationship and salvation, but actually brought those things about. His work was an actual, not potential, atonement.
As the elect, we share in the blessings of salvation and are called to fulfill God’s mission. This communal aspect of faith emphasizes that we are not solitary seekers of salvation. We are part of a family bound together by grace.
This connection fosters belonging, assurance, and duty. We are encouraged to live out our faith, reflecting our identity in Christ. We become lights in a world often overshadowed by despair and uncertainty. The various analogies of birth and being children of God, emphasize an important aspect of the covenant of grace. We have been brought into a family. The church is the manifestation of that family this side of heaven. Put another way, those who are a part of the family, are meant to be part of the church.
Why We Are Skipping Questions 27-30
As noted, we will refrain from discussing questions 27 to 30, which deeply address sin’s nature, its effects, and humanity's dire situation. While these questions are vital and foundational, we have previously examined sin's devastating effect on our relationship with God.
Today, our focus is on the grace that overshadows our failings and the hope that emerges through Christ. It is crucial to recognize the contrast between sin's severity and the boundless love that God offers, seeking to redeem and restore.
In Romans 5:20, we read, “But where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” Understanding the covenant of grace becomes a celebration of redemption and God’s unrelenting pursuit of His people.
Living Out the Covenant of Grace
Grasping the covenant of grace goes beyond mere knowledge; it must be practical in our lives. As recipients of such overwhelming grace, we are called to reflect that grace in our daily interactions.
This covenant encourages us to live lives marked by forgiveness, mercy, and love. Grace is not merely a one-time event. Instead, it is effective for our entire lives. As Christians we are constantly being changed by the grace of God. The implications of this are vast.
For example, during conflicts, just as we receive grace from the Father, we are to extend it to others. In moments of temptation, we can draw strength from our secured victory in Christ. Engaging with those unfamiliar with the gospel gives us the opportunity to collectively share the hope we possess, inviting them into a relationship with the covenant-keeping God.
Reflecting on the Covenant of Grace
In summary, Question 31 of the Westminster Larger Catechism enriches our understanding of the covenant of grace—a profound promise made with Christ as the second Adam, and through Him, with all the elect as His seed. This covenant remains the foundation of our faith, providing assurance and hope in a world marked by sin.
As we reflect on these truths, it is essential to remember that we are part of a broader narrative—one in which God, in His immeasurable mercy, invites us into a relationship through grace. Our calling is not only to be changed by this grace but also to embody it, demonstrating Christ’s love in a desperate world.
Let us hold onto the significance of the covenant we embrace through faith, cherishing the unbreakable bond it forms between us and our Savior. May we confidently walk in this truth, knowing that in Christ, we are new creations. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17
Soli Deo Gloria
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