He Gave Us Prophets: Dynamics Of The CovenantsSample

Components in The New Covenant: Ephesians 2:8-10

The two sides of the covenant ideal also appear in the new covenant, which the prophets predicted would come through the Messiah. The apostle Paul put it succinctly in Ephesians 2:8-10: 

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God — not of works, so that no one can boast. 

Grace is the basis of the covenant in Christ. But now consider the words that follow in verse 10:

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

The new covenant ideal also included the human responsibility of good works.