In an effort to provide classification and clarification to the teachings of Scripture, Reformed theology has recognized in Scripture three distinct covenants which offer the needed categories for rightly dividing the word of truth. Those three form the heart of Reformed theology and are referred to as the covenant of redemption (pactum salutis), the covenant of works (foederus naturae), and the covenant of grace (foederus gratiae). Last week we looked at the first of those three and this week we examine the second.

In obeying God freely and perfectly Jesus earned a righteousness for us that we were sorely lacking.

The covenant of works has variously been called the covenant of creation, nature and law. All of these are appropriate and emphasize different aspects of the covenant. The covenant of works was the initial covenant God made with Adam, and thus with all his posterity whom he represents, that he would be rewarded with life based upon the condition of “perfect and personal obedience” (WCF 7.2). That God was dealing with Adam covenantally is obvious from the text of Genesis 2. Adam is given obligations and stipulations: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat, for in the day you eat of it you shall surely die (Gen. 2:17). Likewise, Hosea alludes to the covenant when he compares disobedient Israel to Adam saying, “But like Adam they transgressed the covenant…” (Hos. 6:7). It’s for this reason the NT writers see Jesus’ life as a recapitulation of sorts of Adam’s life. Jesus is the “second Adam” (cf. Rom. 5; 1 Cor. 15).

When Adam sinned and rebelled he plunged the entire human race into a state of disobedience (Rom. 5:19). He was representing us, acting as our federal head. And thus life was forfeited for him and us. God’s covenant with Adam had been broken.

Enter Jesus, the second Adam. When Jesus comes to reverse Adam’s failures he does so assuming the demands of the covenant of works; that is “perfect and personal obedience.” Thus we are not diminishing our Lord’s service when we say that his life was as important as his death. Thousand, maybe millions had died on crosses. But none had died who had never sinned.

In obeying God freely and perfectly Jesus earned a righteousness for us that we were sorely lacking. Jesus’ obedience is now credited to all those who believe. In his perfect obedience he was for us weaving a robe of righteousness. And when dressed in this robe God sees only sinners declared righteous before his just and holy throne and righteous sinners are sure to hear the words, “well done.”

This is the good news of the gospel that Christ has represented us before the father, not only in death, but also in his perfect life.