As we continue to learn about God’s covenant of love, we need to see how the work of Christ on the cross remodeled it.

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.

Colossians 2:13-14 NIV

Notice that the Lord didn’t cancel the covenant, but the written code. He simply dealt with the law, the addendum to the covenant. This remodeled the covenant once again. He gave it a refresh.

This gives us a new perspective on our relationship with God.

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

2 Corinthians 3:6 NIV

He has made us qualified, enabled servants of the renewed covenant. How did the Lord make us competent to serve this covenant? By a set of rules? Absolutely not!! It’s by the Spirit!

This tells me that the covenant of love requires the work of the Holy Spirit. It’s the job of the Holy Spirit to work His will in us. Rules didn’t work.

Just read the Old Testament. Human beings don’t have the power to fulfill God’s requirements. We need God Himself working in us.

Now we have to check our attitudes. Are we merely following the rules, or are we living as friends of God?

“I’m okay – I go to church, pay my tithes, etc.”

No, it’s all about relationship. Those who only follow rules don’t understand the love of the Father. The covenant of love should drive us to please Christ.

I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws.

Daniel 9:4-5 NIV

It’s this covenant of love that causes us to live a repentant lifestyle. We need to be quick to repent when prompted by the Holy Spirit.

…and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below – you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.”

1 Kings 8:23 NIV

This verse literally says that this covenant of love is kept with the Lord’s servants who walk before your face with all their heart. God wants us to turn our hearts toward Him. If I truly understand the covenant I am in – God’s covenant of love – it will change the way I serve Him.

That’s why I needed to see God’s love for me before I ever looked at what it means for me to love God. I need a revelation of God as my friend. He is emotional about me and I need to respond in the same way to Him.

Understand the covenant of love and let it change you.

Question: How does your life represent God’s love?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi