Covenantal Perfection

 Covenantal Perfection


I believe that the faithful, Christ-loving, regenerate members of the true church of our Lord Jesus may enjoy, even in this life, something the Holy Scriptures allude to, as "covenantal perfection."  (Please note all the qualifiers above, before we go any further.)  By "covenantal perfection," I mean, that with regard to their outward expressions of their faith--particularly with respect to their church baptisms, vows, and memberships--they are "blameless" in their execution of "keeping" their covenant with God.  (Of course, all of this is because of God's grace in them.)

 

. . . Before we are tempted to get "big heads," it is probably good for us to remind ourselves, right now, that in our fallen condition in Adam we are hopelessly lost, infinitely gross and guilty sinners--who deserve nothing but hell and condemnation.  As objects of God's specifically electing grace in Christ, we who have received the Spirit's regeneration are now "new creatures" in Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17).  As sojourners in this world, we are sinner/saints, who still transgress/who seek and receive God's pardon/and who are growing in Christlikeness Sunday-to-Sunday, by sovereign grace.  But, as regenerate churchmen, who love God in Jesus Christ, and who have proper understanding of the term, we may, I think, be considered "covenantally-perfect" (in Christ alone, and as God's true church).

 

Was King David not referred to, as "perfect," (or "blameless"), in this way--and that, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Himself, (in 2 Sam. 22:24)?  The Hebrew word, "tamim," speaks of devotion to God's covenant, (not absolute moral perfection).  Are there not numerous other places--in both Testaments--where this "covenantal perfection" is not at least intimated, (if not almost overtly-stated)?  Even where Paul refers to the church members who gathered on first-century Sundays, as, "saints," he is speaking to this "covenantal perfection."  (A classic, and amazing example of this, is the Apostle's calling the Corinthian Christians "saints," [in 1 Cor. 1:2].)

 

As "easy" as all this type of "covenantal perfection" may sound (and seem to be)--it is actually absolutely impossible to be achieved in the flesh, and/or by anyone who is not regenerate in Jesus.  It requires a steadfastness, a perseverance, a diligence--to remain faithful in the church of one's vows--which is simply not possible for those who are yet in old Adam.  Since faithful churches meet on Sundays/preach Jesus and His gospel in every sermon/practice Spirit-led (and -filled) church discipline--those who are not in Christ are virtually incapable of "handling" this; and they will find a way out.

 

But those, who by grace alone, are faithful to Christ, His gospel, His church, His worship, His day, His Word, and His covenant--they, and they alone, despite their many sins--may be, and should be considered "covenantally perfect"--so long as they remain faithful to their baptismal/covenantal/membership vows, by grace alone in Jesus alone.

 

One neat example of this, taken from the Old Testament, and it is illuminating all the New Covenant blessings in Jesus and His gospel; and it comes from Isaiah 56:6b & 7a, which says this: " . . . Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and holds fast My covenant—even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. . . . , " (NKJV).

 

Being a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ is a wonderful thing.  Being considered (already) as "covenantally perfect" by our Heavenly Father is a stupendous thing.

 

All the true saints will stay faithful in Christ and His church.  Still, it is good to say it: Let us remain faithful to Christ, His gospel, and His church--and do it all by grace through faith in our Redeemer.

 

Rev. Mark J. Henninger

Treatise #111

24 June 2026

 

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com

https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com

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