The New Covenant can be likened unto a gym subscription.
Someone's decides to offer (an eternal) subscription to the local gym and pays the admission fee and monthly gym fees (something you couldn't ever afford). The offer has a time limit (your lifetime) but it requires you to get come down to the gym (belief). It requires that you read all the gym rules, agree to them and sign the contract with them (repentance, confession, baptism). After you sign the contract you get a membership card (you're "in Christ"). When you show the membership card you can go into the gym and use the facilities. Without the membership card you will be barred from entrance. You must observe gym rules (live "like Christ"). If you don't then you risk having your subscription canceled. Also you can cancel your subscription any time you like (disbelief). Provided you have your membership card and are a member in good standing you are free to use the gym and reap it's benefits. (be "with Christ")
What I've just described is a covenant much like the New Covenant. I put the New Covenant things in parentheses so that there would be no mistake in seeing the parallel. Notice the gym subscription is a gift. It is something that is totally unearned and undeserved, yet it is conditional. It requires you believe the offer exists. It requires you go through the process to sign the contract and get your membership card. It requires that you understand, agree to and follow gym rules. It requires that you remain a gym member in good standing. As long as those conditions are met, you can use the gym and receive all the benefits.
Now there are many people who want to tamper with the way the local gym handles subscriptions. Here are some examples.
Example one:
You think the subscription is great and go down to the gym. You walk up to the entrance and try to go in but the guard stops you. "But it's a gift," you say. "It's my gift, I demand you let me in." The guard says, "Not on your life. Get a membership card first. No one gets in without a membership card. That's the rules." You complain that the gift should be unconditional but the guard doesn't listen. So you go home and stew for awhile. "It was supposed to be free. The guy paid for it. I should have been a member of the gym when he paid for it. There shouldn't be any need for a membership card. Isn't that how it works? Damn if I'm gonna let anybody say it isn't."
Example two:
You think the subscription is great and go down to the gym to sign up. You read the contract and state that you agree with it but you refuse to sign the contract. You begin to complain that just coming down to the gym and reading the contract should be enough. "I signed it in my head" (prayed the sinners prayer). The membership card is not issued because you refuse to sign the contract in the proscribed way, according to gym rules. So you go home and stew for awhile. "It was supposed to be free. The guy paid for it. I should have been a member of the gym when he paid for it. I made the effort to got down to the gym and I mentally assented acceptance of the gym rules. Isn't that how it works? Damn if I'm gonna let anybody say it isn't."
Example three:
You think the subscription is great and go down to the gym to sign up. You read the contract and state that you agree with it but you refuse to sign the contract with the pen they offered you. You say, "I'll sign it with my pencil." They explain that the contract is only valid if you sign it with a pen. So, you rudely grab the pen out of their hands and sign the contract with your first name only. "That's no good." they say. "You must sign your full name." In frustration you leave the gym go home and stew for awhile. "It was supposed to be free. The guy paid for it. I should have been a member of the gym when he paid for it. Who cares how I sign the contract? I should be able to change the rules if I like. It's my gift isn't it? Isn't that how it works? Damn if I'm gonna let anybody say it isn't."
Example four:
You think the subscription is great and go down to the gym to sign up. You read the contract, state that you agree with it, and sign it. A membership card is issued to you and you begin to workout at the gym. But the benefits that the gym offers are not to your liking. They are long term benefits and you have to actually "work out" to get them. The gym staff say, "No pain, no gain." But you would rather have immediate gratification. You know about another gym, long gone out of existence, but you've read about the immediate benefits they offered. So you begin to demand that your gym offer immediate benefits along with the long term ones. You stop working out and concentrate on the things that give you immediate gratification. Other members point out that you are being selfish and that long term benefits are the only ones your gym offers. You begin disrespecting the staff and other members. When they point out the gym rules, you begin complaining that your membership is an unconditional gift, you shouldn't have to follow any rules. You get angry and begin stewing. "It's my gift. I can do with it as I like. I don't' need to work out if I don't want to and you are obligated to give me the kind of benefits I desire. Isn't that how it works? Damn if I'm gonna let anybody say it isn't." The staff begins to wonder if you are really a member in good standing or not. They decide to wait and see a little longer before revoking your membership.
Example five:
You think the subscription is great and go down to the gym to sign up. You read the contract, state that you agree with it, and sign it. A membership card is issued to you and you begin to workout at the gym. You find other members there willing to work with you toward the common goal (Christlikeness and Ministry of Reconciliation). You remain a member in good standing. You receive the promised benefits to your joy and the joy of the one who paid the price for your membership. Eventually you meet him in person and you express your heart felt gratitude.
Now I could go on with other examples but I think this is enough to make my point. All covenants are conditional, including the New Covenant in Christ Jesus. I do not deny that salvation in the New Covenant is a gift. I do not deny that Christ fully paid the payment for sin. We do not deserve it and salvation cannot be earned. But there are conditions that need to be met for us to cash in on our gift benefits. All covenants have parties, terms and promises, whether it be your local gym or the New Covenant in Christ. Example one is the "grace only" position. Example two is the "faith only" position. Example three is various forms of covenant signing other than immersion baptism taught in the New Testament. Example four is the transference of Old Covenant physical promises and the neglect of New Covenant terms. Example five is biblical Conditional Covenant Theology as it ought to work.
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