The Distance Between God and Man (Chapter 7, Paragraph 1)

“The distance between God and the creature is so great…”

This opening line confronts us with an essential truth: God is transcendent. He is infinitely holy, sovereign, and self-existent. We, in contrast, are finite, dependent, and fallen. Even before the fall, Adam was a creature—glorious, yes, but limited. God and man do not exist on equal terms.

Isaiah 55:8–9 reminds us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts… as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways.” The gap between us is not merely one of power but of being. He is the Creator; we are the created.

“…that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto Him as their Creator…”

Because God made us, we owe Him everything—our worship, our trust, and our obedience. This is natural law. Romans 1 makes it clear that humanity is accountable to God by nature. Yet that accountability does not obligate God to enter into relationship with us, much less to reward us with life.

Even perfect obedience does not place God in our debt. He is not a debtor to man. Luke 17:10 says, “When you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

“…yet they could never have attained the reward of life but by some voluntary condescension on God’s part…”

Here we meet the beautiful doctrine of divine condescension. Though we owed Him everything, He owed us nothing. Yet He stooped down to us—not out of necessity but out of grace. God chose to bind Himself to His people through a covenant—a solemn promise with blessings and conditions.

The “reward of life”—eternal life, communion with God, joy in His presence—could only be attained through covenantal arrangement. Even in Eden, Adam’s obedience was not self-sufficient. It was tested and governed by God’s covenantal terms.

“…which He hath been pleased to express by way of covenant.”

The idea of “covenant” is central to all of Scripture. From the beginning to the end, God relates to His people through covenants—with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Israel, David, and finally, the New Covenant in Christ.

A covenant is not a contract between equals, but a gracious commitment from a sovereign King. It defines the relationship, sets the terms, and provides the path to blessing. Without a covenant, the blessings of obedience would never be secured; and after the fall, no sinner could ever be saved.

This paragraph prepares us for the glorious truths to follow: the Covenant of Works in Eden, and the Covenant of Grace revealed progressively throughout redemptive history and fulfilled in Christ.

Application for the Believer:

Stand in awe that the infinite God has stooped to make Himself known to you—not merely as Creator, but as Covenant Lord. He owes us nothing, yet He chose to bind Himself to us with promises of life, sealed in the blood of His Son. Let this destroy pride and ignite worship. Your salvation is not a human achievement but a divine arrangement. God condescended to draw near. Treasure His Word, which reveals His covenant. Rest in Christ, the Mediator of the New Covenant. And live in grateful obedience—not to earn life, but because life has already been given.