Hebrews 8:10 ESV
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Three thoughts run through this chapter. First, the new covenant involves a new heart. Obedience is no longer imposed from the outside in, but flows from the inside out. Second, the new covenant makes the old covenant obsolete. When hearts are changed law is not needed. Third, the new covenant is founded upon a new high priest, Jesus. The result of this is that one day there will be no need of evangelism.
Hebrews 8:13 ESV
In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
The old covenant is "growing old" and "is ready to vanish away." The need for evangelism is still here, but obedience flows out of changed hearts. It is not imposed upon hard hearts. As a parent and grandparent, it is one thing to impose obedience upon my children or grandchildren. By way of training we might ask, "What do you say?" when we are trying to get them to say, "Thank you." We make rules and enforce them. We impose obedience upon them. It is a very different thing when they voluntarily serve us, use good manners, or in some other way willingly and voluntarily demonstrate the good behavior we've been trying to teach them.
That's the difference between the old covenant and the new. Under the Law obedience was imposed. Under grace obedience flows out of changed hearts. Under the Law priests had access to God for us. Under grace we have direct access to God. Under Law there was punishment for disobedience. Under grace there is the discipline of a God who loves us and is in relationship with us. "In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete."
Father, thank you for your grace, and for the new covenant in Christ. Today, by your grace may I walk in holiness, peace and truth.
By His grace,
Rick Weinert
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