Useful Bible Studies > Hebrews Commentary > chapter 8
A Christian is not, of course, someone who knows everything. Only the proudest people imagine that they have nothing to learn. God is against those proud people (James 4:6). He helps people who are humble. The author of Hebrews tells Christians that they should be ready to learn (Hebrews 5:12). God will teach them as a father teaches his sons (Hebrews 12:6-7).
There is much to learn. But here is a verse to encourage the person who wants a right relationship with God. That person does not need to know everything. He, or she, needs to know God.
And God declares in this verse that each person can know him. It does not matter whether a person is important or not. It does not matter whether a person is rich or poor. Other people’s opinions about that person do not matter. God wants each person to know him.
A person knows God when that person begins their relationship with him. And that happens as soon as the person invites God into their life. God makes a wonderful change in that person’s life. Jesus said that such a person is born again (John 3:3-8). Paul described such a person as a completely new person (2 Corinthians 5:17). And here, in Hebrews chapter 8, the author explains the change that God has made. God has put his laws into that person’s mind. And he has written them on that person’s heart (Hebrews 8:11).
When God’s law is in someone’s mind, that person will not forget it. And when his law is on a person’s heart, that person will not neglect it. They will not be like the people who were not loyal to God (Hebrews 8:9). Instead, they will love God with all their hearts (Mark 12:29-30). And they will want God to teach them.
While they live in this world, Christians still do many wrong things. They should confess those things to God, and he will forgive them (1 John 1:9). But they must not allow those things to cause despair. Every Christian needs to develop in their relationship with God (Hebrews 5:11-14).
Christians already know God. So this verse is true, even in the present age. God has already carried out a wonderful change in their lives. But what we know now, is just the beginning.
In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul wrote that, now, we only know in part. But it will be different in the future age, when Christ returns. Then we shall know God, even as he knows us.
God, who began this good work in us, will complete it (Philippians 1:6).
Next part: How God forgives (Hebrews 8:12)
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© 2014, Keith Simons.