A Covenant in its simplest form is a contract between two or more parties.  A covenant relationship always speaks to what each party agrees to do or provide to maintain the contract.  Each party must be very clear and specific about his end of the agreement.  There must be total honesty and agreement on the part of all parties for there to be a covenant agreement in place.  A covenant however, is a more binding agreement when you follow the example of God and how He always delt with His people.  

God is a God of covenant.  He never breaks or ends a covenant.  Throughout biblical accounts it was always the people who broke covenant.  It was always God willing to forgive and renew the covenant when the people repented and returned to the original terms of the agreement.

Jesus has provided us with a new and better covenant.  No animal or blood sacrifices are required.  Jesus was the last sacrifice for our sin.  His Blood will never loose it's power.  We have but to repent and return to God.  Likewise, society would be much better off if people honored the covenants' that they make and made covenants that would remain in effect throughout their lives.

I believe that it has always been God's intent that Christians enter into covenant with other christians.  A covenant made between christians should honor the Word of God as the final authority when making decisions or settling disputes.  However, in our society today, we know that all christians are not created equal when it comes to adhering to the Word of God, understanding the Word of God, or even making application of the Word of God.  So what is a person to do?  As a christian you do not have to rely on your feelings.  God has given you the Holy Spirit Who when asked will lead you into all truth.  It is always appropriate to spend time in prayer and fasting when you don't know what to do.  If any man lacks wisdom (what to do in a particular situation) let him ask of God who gives liberally and unbraideth not.

We know that christians are not honoring their covenants as they should as evidenced by divorce rates that are as high as that of non christians.  We also hear of (on a local and national level) countless unresolved conflicts among christians.  We see churches split and members of the Body of Christ move from one church to the other because of conflict.  However, the Word of God gives the answer, but who's listening and obeying?  A covenant is like a work of art.  You take out and you put in components that work for all parties, but you never quit.  The key word here is WORK!  Being a christian does not eliminate the time and effort needed to grow a covenant relationship.   That's right the relationship has to grow and with growth comes growing pains.

Jesus taught and trained His followers for three full years giving them His undivided attention.  He even told them what would happen before it happened yet not a one stood with Him when He was crucified.  They not only fled, but denied Him.  We see here that fear is an enemy to honoring a covenant.  Many people end relationships out of fear.  But God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.  Speak the Word of faith against fear.  Settle any issues of fear before they occur. 

Many people make more of a commitment to their jobs than they do to their covenant relationships.  Why?  Because they see their job as meeting a need in their lives, but see people as being replaceable.  View every person as unique with qualities that no other individual can offer or provide.  Look for and talk about new ways that the person is important in your life as you watch your relationships grow.  Growth ushers in change so be open to change. and new ways of solving old problems.  God's Word will provide unique ways for every person to maintain covenant.  God may give two people different ways of solving the same issue.  God takes into consideration your personality your character your individual needs and so many other factors.  That's how good God is!

A key component of a life long covenant is the incorporation of Agape Love.  Do you operate in the law of love?  Do you keep your word?  Can you be trusted to do what you say you will do even if it means you suffer a loss?  Daniel, the three Hebrew boys, Joseph all operated with an excellent spirit.  Having an excellent spirit means more than making things look nice.  Having an excellent spirit means operating by and giving first place to the Word of God.   It means trusting God to take care of you and your needs in His timing and under His circumstances. Circumstances may not always be pleasant because you may have to endure some hardness before you see the manifestation of God's promises.

Agape Love will cause you to consider the wellbeing of others.  It will cause you to do your best at all times to ensure the integrity of the covenant.   Remember a covenant is your promise to fulfill your end of the deal.  Agape Love will cause you to pray over and for your relationships. 

Love never fails!