Hebrews 8:6-13

Hebrews 8:6

The Blessings of the New Covenant.

I. The blessings of the New Covenant are all based upon the forgiveness of sin. God promises to put His laws into our minds, and write them upon our hearts, and to be to us a God, becauseHe is merciful to our unrighteousness, and will remember our sins and iniquities no more. All our progress in the Divine life, and all the consolations of the Christian pilgrim, are rooted in this primary doctrine of forgiveness through faith in Jesus.

II. From Jesus, the Anointed, all Christians receive the Holy Ghost. They have, according to their name, the unction from above. Hence they possess the Teacher who guides unto all truth. Knowledge is within them. There is within them a well of living water. Every Christian knows himself individually, and that because he is taught of God; he relies not on the testimony of man; his faith stands in the power of God.

III. The personal knowledge of our God is the source of our spiritual life. It is our safeguard against error and against sin. It is the great and constant gift of God, the fruit of Christ's redemption. We now see and know God and His Son; we know Jesus, because Jesus always knows His sheep, revealing Himself unto them, and giving them guidance and life. This knowledge is nothing less than walking with God, walking in the light, praying without ceasing. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him. In much darkness, amid many difficulties, and in constant warfare, we yet walk in the light of His countenance, until at last we shall see Him as He is, and know even as we are known.

A. Saphir, Lectures on Hebrews,vol. ii., p. 55.

References: Hebrews 8:6. Homiletic Quarterly,vol. ii., p. 359; R. W. Dale, The Jewish Temple and the Christian Church,p. 103.Hebrews 8:9. Clergyman's Magazine,vol. iv., p. 83.Hebrews 8:10. Good Words,vol. iii., p. 571; Plain Sermons by Contributors to "Tracts for the Times," vol. ix., p. 231; Homilist,2nd series, vol. iii., p. 52.Hebrews 8:12. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xxviii., No. 1685.Hebrews 8:13. G. Dawson, Sermons on Disputed Points,p. 73.