A new heart and a new spirit in us

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.

Ezekiel 36:26 

This chapter of Ezekiel shows us the redemptive plan our Creator, the most amazing merciful God, has for everybody. In the previous verse, water is a symbol of the cleansing of our souls polluted by sin. But no water can do more than take away the filth of the flesh. Water seems to be in general the sacramental symbol of the sanctifying influences of the Holy Ghost, yet this is always connected with the atoning blood of Christ. When the latter is applied by faith to the conscience, to cleanse it from evil works, the former is always applied to the soul, to purify it from the pollution of sin. In the New Covenant (since the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus), everyone can have a new heart and a new spirit, in order to walk in newness of life. God wants to give us a heart of flesh, a soft and tender heart that would comply with His holy will. 

It’s not because of us but as written in this chapter, it’s all about HIM, the most merciful and gracious God and His will. Renewing grace works great changes in the soul, as the turning of a dead stone into living flesh. He is willing to give us a brand new heart, meaning also a new mind and will. A heart that is responsive and obedient to God.

In Ezekiel 18:31 God tells us, “Make you a new heart, and a new spirit”, and He promises,“A new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you.” Thus the responsibility of man, and the sovereign grace of God, are shown to be coexistent. Man cannot make himself a new heart unless God gives it (Philippians 2:12, 13). The good news is that every human being can receive this new heart and new spirit by belonging to Christ: “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17  

God will put his Spirit within us so that we can have a brand new spirit in us. And the Holy Spirit will be for us the greatest Teacher, the Guide, and the Sanctifier. The promise of God’s grace to fit us for our duty should quicken our constant care and endeavor to do our duty. These are promises that will be fulfilled to all true believers in every age.

Prayer: Thank You God for Your promises. I’m asking for forgiveness for all the wrong things I have done. I’m returning to You, repenting of all my sins. Thanks for Your grace and mercy, change my stony heart to a heart like Yours. Give me a new heart, responsive and tender. Give me, Lord, a new spirit so that I can follow You and fulfill my destiny on this earth to please You. I receive it by faith, allowing your Holy Spirit to do this miracle in me. 

Quote: Only the Holy Spirit can perform the greatest miracle by giving us a brand new heart and a new spirit.

Song: Change My Heart Oh God – Vineyard (Samantha Sams acoustic cover)