I thought about God’s covenant yesterday and then I wrote about it. I considered that it isn’t just a one-time offer, but something offered over and over again. He lets us know in so many ways that He is available to us whenever and wherever we are ready.
So, today I did some more searching. I looked to see how many times the word covenant was in the Bible. The Internet said the word appeared somewhere around 300 to 500 times. Then I looked elsewhere and found the idea of covenant is also in the Koran as well.
Finally, I went to the Eastern religions and found something unexpected. The Eastern religions stated that the idea of a covenant with God is a practice that develops with Judeo-Christian based religions like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The Eastern religions don’t have the idea of covenant. The reason is that in those religions they think that we see God as separate and there needs to be a contract between the person and God. In Eastern religions God is within the person and there’s no reason for a contract.
This idea surprised me because I had heard about all kinds of gods in Eastern religions like Vishnu, Kali, Shiva for example. I thought that they had a poly-theistic religion. Apparently, I don’t understand the Eastern religions at all. However, I do know that their idea of my understanding of God isn’t exactly understood either.
So, here’s my best attempt at this point: many people who believe in mono-theistic religions like Christianity do see God as separate. They believe that they have to bargain with God to reach Heaven when they die. However, I would like to believe that some people understand and know that the ends don’t justify the means. We aren’t here only to attain a reward (Heaven) or a punishment (Hell). Some people I have encountered have said that life is the most important thing. Living our best life to glorify God is our purpose. I find this idea comforting and believable because it fits with the idea that God has a plan for me, but I don’t know what it is, so I should embrace life and live for God.
Now I have lived with the idea of the Holy Trinity all my life. The idea of three persons in one God. It is a paradox that I accept. I have also come to accept another idea that I hope some other people have as well and it totally changes what the Eastern religion’s idea of Christianity is. If God is everywhere, then God truly is within everything, including all living things, every person, and He is also within me. So, just like God can be three persons in one God. For me, God is separate from me, He is everywhere, and He is within me.
And I believe in a promise from God. However, I don’t see it as a contract. A contract is something where two entities mutually agree to exchange something that is beneficial to both parties. For example, when I go to a store and buy groceries. I enter into a contract with the store. I give them money and they give me food. However, with God, I believe His promise isn’t a contract. God’s grace just is. It exists whether or not I believe. God’s love for me exists whether or not I believe. God’s presence exists whether or not I believe. He is and my belief in Him can’t change that. I’m not that powerful. And His promise is that He is God and He is here. His promise is essentially a promise of faith. He tells us your faith is not in vain; I am here. Faith doesn’t work if you have proof, but God is literally and figuratively telling us in all kinds of ways I am here. I have always been here, I am here now, and I will be here forever. No strings attached.
It’s a beautiful miracle.
My faith saved me. May God’s peace reside in all of our hearts.
