"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people," HEB 8:10.

In the creation God made man in His own image, GEN 1:27. In this state of innocence man was well able to please God by fulfilling God's purpose of creating man, i.e., by glorifying Him with perfect obedience. As the result of Adam's shameful fall he lost the image of God, and "the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be," ROM 8:7.

This enmity can only be broken by the grace of God. That is why we read in EPH 2:8, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." This word "grace" comes from the Greek word "charis" which speaks of "the Divine influence upon the heart, which reveals itself in the life."

This God-given gift of grace is the influence of the Spirit of God by which we are "saved through faith." This is what breaks the enmity and rebellion in the heart which man has by reason of Adam's fall, and instills a desire in the heart to serve God under His law of love.

This covenant of grace, or to grant Divine influence in the heart, which is revealed in our life is what our text speaks of. "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people."

We cannot say we are saved from anything until we are delivered from the service of Satan, self, and sin. "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord," ROM 6:22.

Our text speaks of a twofold relationship--"I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people." Reconciliation cannot come from one side only. 2CO 5:19 teaches how "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them."

However, the other side of this teaching comes through in the next verse. "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God," 2CO 5:20. From God's side reconciliation is in place in the atonement of Christ. As long as we remain in the service of sin we are not yet reconciled, we cannot yet lay claim to the promise of our text, "I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people."

Of ourselves we will never be able to serve God acceptably, therefore, the covenant relationship God has with His people is all obtained by grace, i.e., the Divine influence upon the heart which reveals itself in our life. The covenant promise to the bride of Christ is so precious, "I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people."

If you can claim that by the grace of God you are a recipient of this covenant promise - you can say with David, "My cup runneth over" I have more than heart can wish. When you can rightly claim that by grace that God has written His law of love in your mind, and in your heart, you are bound in covenant relationship with God. Then the promise of our text applies to you that says, "...and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people,"

Not all the music blown from sweet instruments, or drawn from living strings, can yield such melody as this sweet promise, "I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people." Reconciliation must come from both sides! Here is a deep sea of bliss, a shore-less ocean of delight; come, bathe your spirit in it; swim an age, and thou shalt find no shore; dive throughout eternity, and thou shalt find no bottom. "I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people." Amen.

HAVE THINE OWN WAY, LORD

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the Potter; I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in thy presence humbly I bow.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power - all power surely is thine!
Touch me and heal me, Saviour divine!