I had a dream last night, and in it I was struck by the thought that to believe you have a contract with God you most likely believe yourself his equal in some way.
Why would you need a contract with God if he loves us?
edit: Perhaps I should clarify that I'm referring to a group of people who view God's love as some kind of business deal, a singling out from the rest of humanity for special treatment.
PS I also don't think it's the same God that I percieve.
Are you speaking about the Abrahamic covenant? If so, that was specifically for the Jews and was designed to demonstrate to them that they needed a savior. There were so many laws to follow, it was impossible for anybody to perfectly keep the law, showing them that they, as humans, were not capable of saving themselves. And that's where the blood sacrifices came in. An animal substitute that took on their sin and whose blood was spilt in recompense. Those animal sacrifices set the stage for Jesus, the ultimate and final blood sacrifice to come.
If you are speaking about the grace covenant, that is essentially one way. From God's perspective. Our belief is required, but once we believe, even if we 'mess up,' and sin (which we will) God does not cancel His part of the bargain. Ephesians 4:30 assures us that we (believers in Christ) have been 'sealed for the day of redemption.' Hopefully I understood your meaning.
You understood much better than I wrote it :)
I've clarified my post a bit already.
I should also point out that my relationship with God and Jesus is one of personal discovery, rather than taken from a book. I do read the Bible, but I have trouble understanding most of it to be honest.
I look into my heart and work with what I find there. It eventually led me to Jesus and then to God. I'm a rare species, a gnostic christian.
Oh dear! Paul warned the early church regularly about the gnostics. I'm not sure you're using the term in the same way he did.
If you have trouble understanding it (which is not uncommon) I would suggest sticking with the New Testament for now. It's all about God's grace and Jesus and though the Old Testament lays the groundwork for Jesus, for me, the NT is where it is at. Particularly if you have limited time, knowledge or trouble understanding.
As for the gospels themselves, they are all purported to lean toward a specific group except for John. John is for everyone, so maybe concentrate your efforts there. (Matthew for Jews, Luke for Greeks and Mark for Romans. John for all.)
I use the term in the sense of personal knowledge of Jesus (as opposed to secret teachings).
There were many gnostic groups I believe.
Something I picked up from the Bible early on was Jesus saying that God dwells in our hearts, seek him there. That's all I really needed to know.
Organised religion is an exercise in power and control, it has no place in my world.
“Abraham covenant…specifically for the Jews.” No, there were no Jews at that time. Jews were from the tribe of Judah, who wasn’t born yet, and after the kingdom of Israel split from the kingdom of Judah after King Solomon. Gal. 3:6-7 says, “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Know then that they who are of faith, these are sons of Abraham." The promises were spoken to Abraham and his Seed, Christ, and if we are in Christ, we are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise (vv. 16, 29).
But it isn't one way, because our belief is required. God gave us free will and won't override it. So it truly is something required of us.
Free will yes but, the thing is, Satan uses this to get people to use their free will to break our convent with God. Do as Though wilt, comes to mind. Just because you have the free will to murder, rape, lie, cheat and steal, does not mean you are doing anything to uphold your convent with God in doing so in fact, you are turning your back on God. We are all sinners even if we try not to be, you have the free will to sin or to try not to sin. eh.
My point was that our part in the covenant is to use our free will to believe in and follow God.