HEBREWS 8:10-12 – 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. And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”

THEME OF THE DAY. THE DEEP WELLS OF GOSPEL TRUTH. When is the last time we pulled away from the busyness and pressures of life in a hectic world and pondered what God has done for us in Christ? During this Christmas season, that would be something well worth doing; to meditate on the wonders of God’s grace in Christ; to ask the Holy Spirit to plunge us into the deep wells of Gospel truth; to be in awe of God’s wisdom and love in the plan of salvation; and then to be transformed into a daily worshipper of this God of ours and what He has done in Christ.

Today’s scripture is a great place to do what I suggest in the opening paragraph. This portion of the letter to the Hebrews takes us into the depths of Gospel truth. Let’s dive in together considering four Gospel-producing truths that will overwhelm us by the grace and love of God.

The first Gospel truth is our God is the God of covenant – “For this is the covenant that I will make”. And what a truth it is to thrill the soul! God binds Himself by covenant. He will not break it based on our always poor spiritual performance. He will be true to His Word for His sake. Rest in this Gospel truth when the accuser of our souls comes screaming over our many failings. God promises, God keeps His promises. Why? He must. He is the God of unchanging covenant.

A second Gospel truth is the relationship established with our God – “I will be their God and they shall be my people.” Friends, believing the Gospel is about restoration of a relationship with our holy and loving Creator. What was destroyed in the Garden of Eden by our sinning first parents is re-created by belief in the Gospel. Don’t reduce the Gospel down to a transaction making us right with God. It is the work of reconciliation so we may fulfill our created purpose – walk in love and holiness with our God. This must be remembered to avoid our Christianity becoming routine and mechanical.

The third Gospel truth revealed in today’s scripture is the door is open to know God – “’Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.” It is a natural spiritual progression; reconciliation in our relationship with God leads to growing in the relationship with God. Let this sink in. We may know God, not about Him, but know, experience, encounter, and interact with our God. There is nothing more satisfying and thrilling to the soul than to walk with God, not in concept, but reality – a genuine spiritual reality that brings contentment and purpose in life. And it is possible because of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus.

A fourth Gospel truth leading us to the pinnacle of worship and adoration of God is His refusal to recall our many sins – “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” Now don’t mistake the Bible teaching of God’s dealing with our sins. His Word never says, “And I will forget their sins.” No, the scriptures say, “I will not remember their sins.” This is important. We don’t want God to forget our sins because if He may do that, He may also forget His promises. Then we would be in a very bad position. God chooses not to remember our sins which is Him saying, “I will not hold their sins against them because I held them against My Son.” That is liberating truth for the soul struggling with sinful failures in life.

So, as the season of Christmas quickens its pace, slow down, and take a dive – a dive into the deep wells of the reason for Christmas; the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. It will be a worthwhile dive into His truths.

PRAYER: “Lord, teach me to dig deep into the treasure chest of Your salvation freely given to me.”

QUOTE: “The Gospel is far more than getting saved. Pray and meditate on its many benefits beyond forgiveness.”