The Principle of Covering

Introduction
The principle of covering is foundational in the order of Father God in tending for and looking after His children. Covering is for our protection and for our freedom. To live under the covering of Father God is to live in the liberty of His grace. The grace of Father God in covering is first introduced when He dealt with Adam in the garden.

with them. One of the definitions of communion is: interchange or sharing of thoughts or emotions; intimate communication. This is how Father wants us to live with Him.

Covering
Gen 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. The covering Adam had made for himself was inadequate to cover his sin; he could not atone for it with fig leaves. Father did not leave them in their nakedness, and expel them from the garden uncovered and exposed but made a covering that they would wear in their life outside the garden. To make that covering of skin (leather or hide), an animal had to die the consequences of the sin of Adam was that death entered the world. Blood was spilt to atone for the sin of man and cover his sin so that the Fathers purpose could be fulfilled. Father God could not tolerate the impurity of sin perpetuated through eternity, so death is the obvious consequence of sin. However, He would not let His purpose of eternal communion with mankind be stopped by the deceit of the serpent and the weakness of man. Father God knew from before the foundations of the earth what it would cost Him to achieve His purpose. He would have to provide the covering for the sin of man. He would have to pay the price to provide that covering.

Communion Lost
Gen 3:7 the eyes of both of them were opened and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Once Adam realised he was naked he needed to cover his guilt and hide from the judgement of his Father. Adam was exposed, his guilt was laid bare, his sin was plain to be seen, and now he had to face the consequences of that sin. His Father had told him ...but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good Gen 2:17 and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die. Adam knew the consequences of his disobedience was death. Gen 3:9 But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?" Probably the saddest verse in the Bible! Almighty, omnipotent Father God, calls out, heartbroken, Adam, where are you? Blinded by the darkness of sin, Father can no longer see his son Adam, and the path is set for His son Jesus. Adam was put out of the garden, never to walk there with his Father again. Yet before he was put out Father God did something that told of His intention for mankind Father dealt with mans nakedness.

Made for Community

Gen 1:26, 27 Then God said, Let us make man in our image, in our likeness... So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. As we are made in the image of God, then we are made to be in community as He is in community Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He created them male and female, and so His nature is expressed in the diversity of His creation, and he called THEM man (Gen 5:1).

Covenant Renewed
Heb 9:22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Father God set a covenant in place with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He gave the law to Moses, and the people of Israel followed, more or less, the law that require animal sacrifice for the atonement of sin. However, the inadequacy of that sacrifice was evident in the fact that it

Made for Communion

Gen 3:8 then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day... Before the fall of man Father God was in the habit of walking in the Garden with His son and daughter each morning, the cool of the day. He lived in communion

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan.

had to be repeated, daily and annually. In Gods eternal purpose the temple sacrifice was to be replaced, with the ultimate sacrifice to atone for all sin. I Pet 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God... Rom 5:17 for if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. The consequence of the sin of Adam rolled down through the generations. But to those who receive Father Gods abundant grace and mercy through the death of Jesus, all you sin will be forgiven. Your separation from Father ended, and the life of liberty He wanted for you can happen.

whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. 1 Pet 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. To live under the covering is to live blameless lives and to 1 John 1:9 . keep a short account with you Father There are many areas in which the principle of covering has practical outworking in the life of a believer. Following are a few key areas: Forgiveness Mat 6:14,15 for if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Forgiveness releases you to live under Fathers grace and liberty. To truly forgive releases God to deal with the situation and releases you from the judgement of God. Unforgiveness stops you from healing and stops Gods judgement from being released in the situation. Relationships 2 Cor 6:14 do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? We cannot jump into any relationship and expect Father to bless it, even if we pray about it, if the relationship disobeys what he wants for us! We have stepped outside the covering and so have invited judgement in.

Choosing a partner is entering a covenant relationship in which you both need to live under the same covering. Accountability 1 Pet 5:2,3 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. Heb 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Father God has appointed offices and structure in His church to provide covering and to prepare His people so Eph 4:11-12 the body will be built up . The Eldership are overseers of His flock, providing covering and protection willingly as those who are held accountable to father God. This is not a command and control structure, but a family in which we will all Heb 10:24,25 flourish and prosper. In summary, living under the covering means: Living in the freedom of His grace Freedom from judgement and guilt Living blameless lives with a short account with God Being accountable to one another

Living under the Covering

Gal 5:1 it is for freedom, that Christ has set you free. Living under the Covering of God is about living in His grace and liberty you have been set free from the judgement of law and death. But that does NOT mean we can live with abandonment: by no means! We died Rom 6:2 to sin; how can we live in it any longer? There is blessing in living under the covering and freedom from sin: Psalm 32:1,2 blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan.