Covenanters
A while back, in northern England, Ireland and in especially Scotland, there was a ground swell, where Believers were getting back to what the Bible actually said, and then they actually did it, they really actually lived by the Bible, they read it, they believed every word, then their faithful lives clearly reflected a major difference between themselves and nominal-Christian’s of the day. Bible reading was a daily passion, their prayers were powerful and sincere, as they were the “Genuine Article” and not some “Cheap Knock Off.”
Quote; “Death before dishonor or the transgression of God’s law should be the motto of every Christian. As a people professing to be reformers, treasuring the most solemn, purifying truths of God’s word, we must elevate the standard far higher than it is at the present time. Sin and sinners in the church must be promptly dealt with, that others may not be contaminated.” {CCh 109}
Quote; “Those who are truly converted will reveal the saving grace of Christ by laboring for these souls blinded by Satan. In their own lives God’s workers are to show forth the power of truth and righteousness. The world is soon to meet the great Lawgiver over His broken law. Those only can hope for pardon who turn from transgression to obedience. We are to raise the banner on which is inscribed, “The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” This is the great issue. Let it not be put out of sight. We must strive to arouse church members and those who make no profession, to see and obey the claims of the law of heaven. We are to magnify this law and make it honorable. We are to arouse those who are sunk in spiritual slumber. {TDG 355}
Quote; “When Christ dwells in the heart, His presence is apparent. Good and pleasant words and actions reveal the Spirit of Christ. Sweetness of temper is manifested. There is no angry passion, no obstinacy, and no evil-surmising. There is no hatred in the heart, because earthly ideas and methods, are not accepted and appreciated by others. When the truth controls the life, there is purity and freedom from sin. The glory, the fullness, the completeness of the gospel plan is fulfilled in the life. The light of truth irradiates the soul temple. The understanding takes hold of Christ.” {TDG 357}
Quote; “Choose poverty, reproach, separation from friends, or any suffering, rather than to defile the soul with sin. Death before dishonor or the transgression of God’s law, should be the motto of every Christian.” {CH 626}
The Covenanters had a simple belief and faith, they Believed the Bible and then in every facet of their lives, carried out that belief as their undying faith, they made a “Covenant” with God to be true, and many were persecuted and some were even martyred for their faith, but this mortal life is evaporating quickly and Eternity is a very long time, so they treasured Eternity with Jesus more than the fleeting troubles and trials of this life.
George Gilfillan’s Book “Martyrs and Heroes” Quote; “They were terrible in earnest. The passion that was in them, like all great passions, refused to be divided. Their idea possessed them with a force and a fullness of which we find few parallels in history. It haunted their sleep, it awoke them in the morning – it walked, like their shadow, with them in business or to pleasure – it became the breath of their nostrils and the soul of their souls.”
We can get so passionate about something as fleeting as some event in Politics, Forrest Fires, Weather, Football, Yachting, Olympic Games, and so much more that is earthly and current, and then that which is Eternal and spiritual gets pushed so far back it disappears under the forgotten, not with the Covenanters, they chose to prioritized their lives, and put God as First, Last and best in everything. They were careful in their daily lives, and took God with them everywhere. Ancient Israel was admonished to follow this council from Deuteronomy 6:6-9 “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”
How about us today, do we “Covenant with God?” Or do we by default make a covenant with the powers of evil and darkness, Jesus advised us of that in Matthew 12:30 MSG “This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you’re not on my side, you’re the enemy; if you’re not helping, you’re making things worse.” What is our commitment like, have we made a Covenant with God, or does our lives and actions declare it as “Once upon a time in a land far far away,” when this commitment is supposed to be “Past, Present and Forever Future.” Covenant with God to always and in all ways to walk humbly with thy God. Micah 6:8 MSG “But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously—take God seriously. Or Micah 6:8 “He hath showed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
1 John 3:18 MSG “My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality.” Are you willing to “Covenant” to live for God 24/7 and for always, to heed all scripture? Why not Covenant on this one, 1 John 3:18 MSG “My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality.”
Quote; “Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, “Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.” This is a daily matter. Each morning covenant with God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ. {FLB 125} Are you a Covenanter?
