What responsibilities do believers have as part of God's "everlasting covenant" today? The Everlasting Covenant: Anchor Text “Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—through the blood of the everlasting covenant, equip you with every good thing to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21) What the Covenant Guarantees - God Himself secures the covenant by “the blood” of Christ—nothing can annul it (Hebrews 9:12). - It is everlasting; therefore its blessings and obligations extend to believers in every generation (Isaiah 55:3; Ezekiel 37:26). - The risen Shepherd continually “equips” His people so they can fulfill their responsibilities (Philippians 2:13). Core Responsibilities Flowing from the Covenant • Rely on Christ’s finished work – Trust the sufficiency of His blood, not personal merit (Ephesians 2:8-9). • Pursue God’s will in every sphere – “Do His will” (Hebrews 13:21) by aligning decisions, relationships, and ambitions with Scripture (Romans 12:1-2). • Cultivate a lifestyle that pleases God – Allow the Spirit to produce holiness and obedience (1 Peter 1:15-16; Galatians 5:22-23). • Remain under the Shepherd’s oversight – Stay connected to the local church, submit to godly leadership, and care for fellow believers (Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Peter 5:2-3). • Offer continual praise and gratitude – “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15). • Do good and share with others – Tangible acts of generosity and service reflect covenant love (Hebrews 13:16; 1 John 3:17-18). • Guard sound doctrine – Hold fast to the unchanging gospel against false teaching (2 Timothy 1:13-14). • Proclaim the covenant message – Make disciples, baptizing and teaching them to obey all that Christ commanded (Matthew 28:19-20). Practical Ways to Walk Out These Responsibilities - Schedule daily Scripture reading and prayer, asking God to “equip” you for the day’s assignments. - Conduct a weekly review: “Where did I see God at work? Where do I need to realign with His will?” - Engage in corporate worship and small-group fellowship for mutual encouragement. - Budget time and resources for intentional generosity—support missionaries, local outreach, and those in need. - Memorize key covenant passages (e.g., Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 10:19-25) to anchor your heart in truth. - Share your testimony regularly; let others know how the everlasting covenant has changed you. Strength for the Journey The same God who secured the everlasting covenant promises to “work in us what is pleasing in His sight.” Lean on His power, celebrate His faithfulness, and live each day as a grateful steward of covenant grace. |
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