Covenant Renewal

This brief explanation of covenant renewal worship is an effort to further clarify the recent quote on the matter which I posted on this journal. Phil H. raised a question in the comment box and I imagine that the answer could be beneficial to others.

Among those who can provide an explanation of covenant renewal worship, I am truly one of the lowliest. Greater men than I have expounded the Scriptures related to the worship of the corporate people of God and the reasons that "covenant renewal worship" is the best response to those Scriptures.

Certainly, I can offer these few simple comments in an effort to explain. First, those who are Reformed and Covenantal in their understanding of the Scriptures would be the furthest from communicating inadequacy on the part of Christ. "The definitive covenant established with, in, and through Christ" has not left the people of God without privileges and responsibilities under the covenant. Faith and repentance are a gift from God but are certainly considered responsibilities for which we are accountable. We, the Church, as a continued form of Israel, the people of God or bride of Christ, have never stopped falling short of God's righteous expectations. You and I continue to sin and are constantly needing to repent of our sins and call on our Father through faith in Christ. The people of God worship Him as a response to His summons; we gather on the Sabbath to worship as a corporate expression of faith and repentance, offering sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving.

We renew covenant through worship not because the sacrifice of Christ is incomplete or insufficient, but because His broken body and spilled blood are our only hope for eternal life. We have not yet reached the full consummation of the Kingdom, wherein the people of God are fully sanctified and glorified. God calls us through His Word, through the preaching, and through the Sacraments. We respond in faith as the covenant is renewed, because we have failed to live according to the faith which we have received through His grace; our response in faith is full of praise and gratitude because we no more deserve to remain in the covenant than we deserved to be joined to it initially.

Those who affirm covenant renewal worship, conversely refuse to accept the theory that the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice should leave us without responsibility. The complete and finished work of Christ's life, death, and resurrection should not lead us to believe that our sins are not a stench in the nostrils of a holy God. We should not shutter less than the Israelites when we fail to obey our Father. We have a significant privilege, even advantage, in that our shuttering is not long-lived; as we bow before God in faith, repenting of our sins, the Messiah to whom we look, just as Israel did, has already come and God's Word tells us of the mercy received through Him.

Our weekly Sabbath, as a foretaste of eternal rest, is a joyous and solemn reminder of God's gracious dealings with His people. Renewing covenant with Him testifies more to the mercy found through our all-glorious Savior than any other form of worship.

Please consider a worthwhile investment in a thorough treatment of the subject:
Jeffrey Meyers provides not only a compelling biblical, theological, and historical case for covenant renewal worship, but also shows that it is beautiful, profound, edifying, and liberating.