A Personal Relationship with God and the Covenant: Insights from Scripture and the Gospel of Thomas

Covenant Relationship With God

A Personal Relationship With God

A Personal Relationship with God and the Covenant: Insights from Scripture and the Gospel of Thomas

A personal relationship with God is a journey of profound self-discovery and spiritual awakening. While traditional biblical covenants, like that of God with Abraham, highlight a binding promise between God and His people, the Gospel of Thomas emphasizes an inward, personal connection with the divine. This relationship, both deeply individual and universally transformative, reveals the Kingdom of God that is not found in distant places but within the seeker.

The Covenant with Abraham: A Divine Promise

The covenant between God and Abraham, as seen in Genesis 17:1-10, forms the foundation for understanding God’s relationship with His people. God promises to be with Abraham and his descendants, saying, “I will establish my covenant between me and you… to be your God.” (Gen 17:7). This covenant is not merely a contract, but a divine commitment, a relationship where God makes an eternal promise to be with His people, to guide and multiply them. The core of this covenant is not the outward signs like circumcision, but the profound spiritual understanding that God is always present with His people.

For Abraham, this covenant represents more than just an agreement; it marks the beginning of a deeper faith—a faith that grows and matures through spiritual understanding. The promises of God made to Abraham and his descendants offer a glimpse of a relationship where the divine and the human intersect in meaningful, lasting ways. Just as Abraham was called to walk before God in faith and perfection (Gen 17:1), those in the covenant are also called to live a life of faith, continually learning and growing in their relationship with God.

Circumcision and the Heart: A Symbol of Faith and Transformation
For Gnostic Christians it is the anointing not baptism which brings us into covenant relationship with God and Jesus. circumcision of the flesh profits nothing in the Gospel of Thomas, Jesus touches on the true nature of circumcision:
"If it were useful, they would be born already circumcised. On the other hand, true circumcision in the spirit is entirely beneficial" (Gospel of Thomas 53).

Here, the Gospel of Thomas reflects the spiritual meaning behind the physical act. True circumcision is not about external compliance but about a transformation of the heart and spirit. This mirrors Jeremiah’s prophecy of the new covenant, where God promises to write His law on the hearts of His people:
"I will put my law in their inward parts and in their heart" (Jeremiah 31:33).

This inward transformation reflects the essence of a personal relationship with God. It is not about following external laws but about allowing the divine truth to shape and direct one’s heart and mind.

A Personal, Inner Relationship with God: Insights from the Gospel of Thomas

While the covenant with Abraham focuses on external signs and promises, the Gospel of Thomas offers a perspective on relationship with God that emphasizes inward transformation. Jesus’ teachings in this text suggest that the Kingdom of God is not a distant, external reality but an inner truth waiting to be discovered. Jesus said:
"If those who lead you say to you, ‘See, the kingdom is in the sky,’ then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, ‘It is in the sea,’ then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is inside you and outside you." (Gospel of Thomas 3).

In this saying, Jesus reveals that the divine is not far off but within and around us. A personal relationship with God begins with recognizing the presence of the divine within ourselves and others. This internal discovery is not merely intellectual but spiritual—a shift in how one perceives the world and oneself in relation to God.

The Journey of Seeking and Finding

The Gospel of Thomas emphasizes that building a relationship with God requires an active pursuit. Jesus says:
"Seek, and you will find. When you find, you will be troubled. When you are troubled, you will marvel, and you will reign over all." (Gospel of Thomas 2).

This pursuit of God is not easy—it challenges established beliefs and brings about personal transformation. Jesus’ words highlight the fact that seeking the divine is a path of disturbance and awe. Those who embark on this journey will be changed, and their perception of God and themselves will deepen as they seek the truth within.

Embodying the Divine Wisdom

A relationship with God, according to both the Gospel of Thomas and biblical teachings, also involves becoming more like Christ. In the Gospel of Thomas, Jesus said:
"Whoever drinks from my mouth will become like me. I myself shall become that person, and the hidden things will be revealed to him." (Gospel of Thomas 108).

This intimate relationship with Jesus transforms the believer into someone who reflects the divine wisdom. By living out the teachings of Jesus, one grows spiritually, becoming more aligned with God’s nature.

Trusting in the Divine Presence

In both the Gospel of Thomas and the covenantal promises in the Bible, a key aspect of the relationship with God is trust. Jesus urged His followers not to be consumed by worldly concerns but to trust in God’s providence:
"Do not be concerned from morning until evening and from evening until morning about what you will wear." (Gospel of Thomas 36).

This trust is central to the covenant relationship. It is not based on external rituals or material assurances but on a deep faith in God’s presence and guidance. Just as God promised to be with Abraham and his descendants, He promises to be present in the lives of believers, guiding them through faith.

Conclusion: A Living Relationship

A personal relationship with God, as explored in both the Old Testament covenant with Abraham and the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas, is one of continuous transformation. This relationship is not static; it is a dynamic, living connection where the believer seeks, finds, and becomes more like Christ. Whether through the external covenant promises or the internal spiritual awakening in the Gospel of Thomas, the relationship with God is defined by trust, understanding, and the discovery of the divine within. Ultimately, as Jesus teaches, the Kingdom of God is not a far-off reality but one that is present within each believer, waiting to be discovered through a deeper relationship with Him.