The Eternal Covenant

FAITH IN ACTION:
LIVING AS FAITHFUL PEOPLE
God's Covenant
A Promise to Abraham

Hebrews 13:17-21

The Message

 ¹⁷Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them?
 ^18-21Pray for us. We have no doubts about what we're doing or why, but it's hard going and we need your prayers. All we care about is living well before God. Pray that we may be together soon.

   May God, who puts all things together,
      makes all things whole,
   Who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus,
      the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant,
   Who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd,
      up and alive from the dead,
   Now put you together, provide you
      with everything you need to please him,
   Make us into what gives him most pleasure,
      by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah.
   All glory to Jesus forever and always!
      Oh, yes, yes, yes.

For Reflection
Listen to your pastoral leaders.  We are not talking about absolute submission here.  We are speaking about being obedient to pastoral leaders who are themselves true to the scriptures and to God's will. This means that we are all fallible.  Each of us has a responsibility to study and discuss the implication of scripture to our faith journey.  Each of us has the responsibility to decide what action to take and what council to follow that is consistent with the written word.  Read, pray, and listen for God's recommendation.

Pray
listening closely for God's advice.  Pray that your understanding of scripture is consistent with God's will.  Pray that pastoral leaders will temper the pressure of leadership with reflection on scripture and God's promise.  Pray and hope for the fulfillment of God's Kingdom on earth.