The Covenant of Grace—God’s Remedy for Man’s Ruin (Chapter 7, Paragraph 3)

“Man by his fall having made himself incapable of life by that covenant…”

The previous paragraph made it clear: Adam’s failure rendered humanity incapable of gaining life through obedience. The Covenant of Works was broken, and its demands remain unmet by us. This line repeats a hard truth: we are spiritually bankrupt. No amount of effort or law-keeping can save us. We are dead in sin and deserve judgment.

“…the Lord was pleased to make a second, commonly called the covenant of grace…”

But God, rich in mercy, did not leave us in ruin. Instead, He established a second covenant—not out of obligation, but by sovereign grace. This “second” covenant is not plan B; it was always God’s eternal purpose to save a people through Christ (Eph. 1:4–10). The fall of Adam did not catch God off guard. He had already purposed a better covenant—a covenant that would not depend on man’s obedience, but on Christ’s.

“…wherein He freely offereth unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ…”

This is the heart of the gospel: God freely offers salvation. It is not earned, bought, or deserved. It is given. And it comes only through Jesus Christ—the Mediator of the covenant, the Second Adam, the true and better representative. John 3:16 captures this perfectly: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…”

“…requiring of them faith in Him, that they may be saved…”

Though grace is free, it is not received apart from response. God requires faith—not as a meritorious work, but as the instrument by which we receive Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 says faith itself is a gift. It is trust, not toil. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

“…and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto eternal life His Holy Spirit…”

Salvation is not only declared but applied. God promises the gift of the Holy Spirit to all who are elect—those “ordained unto eternal life” (cf. Acts 13:48). The Spirit regenerates the heart, grants faith, unites us to Christ, and preserves us in grace. He is both the seal and the down payment of our inheritance (Eph. 1:13–14).

“…to make them willing and able to believe.”

Here is the glorious truth of effectual grace. Left to ourselves, we would never choose God. But by the Spirit, God makes His elect both willing and able to believe. He opens blind eyes, softens hard hearts, and grants repentance. Salvation is truly all of grace, from beginning to end.

Application for the Believer:

Rejoice in the covenant of grace! You are not saved because you met the conditions of the law, but because Christ met them for you. God did not wait for you to seek Him—He sought you, saved you, and gave you His Spirit. Let this truth fuel your assurance: you are in covenant with the living God, and His promises will never fail. Rest in His grace, walk in humble faith, and proclaim the good news to others. There is one way to life: through Jesus Christ, the Mediator of the covenant of grace.