.... I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be My people (Hebrews 8:8b, 10b). The writer to the Hebrews is quoting Jeremiah 31:31-33, which, in the midst of the old covenant, is talking about a future new covenant that was to come. It would be a “better covenant, established on better promises” (6b). So this is our covenant, and it is written not on tablets of stone (Exodus 24:12), but on the mind and the heart. This enables us, from the least to the greatest, to know Him (11b). In other words, it's all about relationship. Relationship was God's desire and intention from the beginning. In our natural sinful state we hide from Him, choosing rules over relationship (Genesis 3:8; Exodus 20:19). It's not that much different today, with many a church emphasizing lists of do's and don't's!
But we don't even live up to our own standards, let alone God's, the just requirements of the Law. But if we choose rules over relationship it's His rules, not ours (I mean He is God right). The problem is God is holy, and nobody can keep His rules (Romans 3:23). We might want to, but we can't (Romans 7:18). In fact the old covenant then was given to show us that we can't, and also in seeing that, that it be our teacher to lead us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). Here is a deep truth, the new covenant is a covenant! And for a covenant to be valid, both parties have to agree! We have a part to play! As I keep saying, the book of Hebrews gives a stern warnings to those who have no intention of cooperating with God in the transformation of heart and mind (i.e 6:4-6). God promised Abraham a blessing, but it was only after “he had patiently endured, that he obtained the promise” (6:15). And it is to those who are of the faith of Abraham who are heirs of the promise (6:17; Romans 4:6). The fruit and the evidence of Abram's faith and ours, is that it acts, it obeys (6:15; James 2:18).
Under the new covenant God put His law in hearts and minds as seeds. Seeds can either be stolen, or chocked, or bear fruit (Mark 4:14-20). There is a strong connection between our knowing and understanding truth, and obedience. We suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18), and though disobedience our hearts become dull and hardened. There is no fence, no middle ground. “To him who has, more will be given, but to him who has not even what he has will be taken away” (Matthew 13:12). His sheep (those who follow) can hear His voice (John 10:27). And “today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,” and failed to enter His rest. And it was also because they did not obey (3:15, 18).
Father, please let us not be deceived through the deceitfulness of sin (3:13). We want to enter into Your rest Lord, both in the here and now, and in eternity. At conversion You took the stony heart out of our flesh, and gave us a heart of flesh. And You did to enable us to walk in Your statutes and keep Your judgments, and in this way we be Your people, and You our God (Ezekiel 11:19, 20). So Lord please give us a hearts to obey in Jesus Name Amen
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