Covenant and Obedience: How Shall We Then Live?

It is a modern proverbial saying that, "talk is cheap" and there is a great deal of truth
in this saying. If a businessman fails to live up to the promises that he made while selling a
product to you, this is an example of cheap talk. It is unlikely that you will ever do business
with him again. This truth is also reflected in verses like James 2:18 where we read, "But
someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me your faith without your works,
and I will show you my faith by my works." In the regular pulpit ministry, we are about to
begin chapter 12 in Romans. Over the previous chapters, we saw the bringing together of
God's covenant faithfulness and electing purposes. Chapter 12 will introduce the subject of
obedience. These are not radically different subjects as the chapter break may prompt us to
think. In the passage from Exodus today, the people of God covenant with Him to perform
all of the words of the covenant. This is serious business – both for them and for us. – Pastor Schlegel