There are a number of agreements, or covenants which the Lord has entered into with mankind. Some of these covenants were unconditional. Some had conditions appended to them.
After God had destroyed the world with the flood, he placed a bow in the cloud, with the promise that he would never again destroy the world by water. No conditions were placed on this. It was God’s decision, regardless of man’s actions.
Most of God’s promises to man come with conditions. An example of this is found in Joshua 23. God had fought for Israel, allowing them (under the leadership of Joshua) to inhabit the land He had promised them. Joshua addressed the nation near the end of his life, indicating that God’s protection would continue in the land. But, a provision was made. “Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left, and lest you go among these nations, these who remain among you. You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them, but you shall hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day” (6-8).
The key is the “or else” that follows, as Joshua finishes the command to be obedient to the law. “Or else, if indeed you do go back, and cling to the remnant of these nations—these that remain among you—and make marriages with them, and go in to them and they to you, know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations from before you. But they shall be snares and traps to you, and scourges on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land which the Lord your God has given you” (12-13).
In the words, “or else”, many find a threat. This is not accurate. It simply an acknowledgement that a covenant may contain requirements for both parties. This is certainly true with regard to our redemption. God has promised us salvation, provided we meet the requirements as stated in the covenant. This is why when the Jews asked Peter, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37), Peter responded, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (2:38). Salvation comes when one meets the requirements given by God. He keeps His promise to forgive us of our sins, if we do as He requires of us.
The same thing is true regarding maintaining the standing we have obtained with Him. It is conditional! The Israelites had to maintain their faithfulness to keep the land they had been given. We must maintain our faithfulness to keep the standing with God we have attained through our obedience to the gospel. “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame” (Hebrews 6:4-6).
As the author of the covenant, if God sets requirements to obtaining and keeping the blessings of that covenant, it is His prerogative. It is fair and understandable. As such, we know as Christians, “…you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22).
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