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Introduction
“The moment you accept Jesus Christ as Lord, 2 Corinthians 5:17 says ‘All Things become new.’” Throughout Scripture, we find 30 distinct transformations that occur at the moment of salvation. This document explores the third and fourth of these transformations: receiving a new heart and a new spirit.
Misconceptions About the Human Heart
Many teachings portray even the saved person’s heart as terrible, corrupt, and sinful. A commonly cited verse to support this view is Jeremiah 17:9:
“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?”
This passage, along with descriptions of humanity before the flood (when “man’s heart was continually on evil”), is often applied to believers today. However, this application contradicts other scriptural teachings about the transformation that occurs in salvation.
Old Testament Examples of Righteous Hearts
Even before Christ’s sacrifice, Scripture presents numerous examples of people with hearts that followed after God:
- Job, whom God called righteous and obedient to His commandments
- Zacharias and Elizabeth, who were “righteous before the Lord”
- The faithful individuals listed in Hebrews 11 (often called the “Hall of Faith”)
These examples demonstrate that God has always recognized and honored those whose hearts were aligned with Him.
The Promise of a New Heart and Spirit
Ezekiel 36:26-27
“Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”
This prophetic promise reveals God’s intention to fundamentally transform the human heart under the New Covenant. God promises to:
- Give a new heart
- Put a new spirit within us
- Remove the heart of stone
- Give a heart of flesh
- Put His Spirit within us
- Cause us to walk in His statutes
The promise of a “heart of flesh” further confirms that flesh itself is not inherently evil—God would not replace one evil thing with another. Rather, He replaces the hardened, unresponsive heart with one that is tender and responsive to Him.
Ezekiel 11:19-21
“I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God. But as for those whose hearts go after their detestable things and abominations, I will bring their conduct down on their own heads, declares the Lord.”
This passage reiterates the promise of heart transformation while adding that this change enables obedience to God’s commands. It also acknowledges that some will reject this transformation and continue in sin.
Jeremiah 24:7
“I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the LORD; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart.”
This verse emphasizes that the transformed heart enables a genuine relationship with God and wholehearted devotion to Him.
Implications for Christian Living
Fulfilling the Greatest Commandment
Jesus identified the greatest commandment as loving “the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength” (Matthew 22:37-38). This commandment would be impossible to fulfill if believers retained a wicked, deceitful heart. The fact that God commands us to love Him with our whole heart implies that He has given us a heart capable of such love.
The Challenge of Faith
One of the greatest challenges for believers is accepting what God says about our new identity:
- We used to be corrupt and sinful
- Now we are new creatures in Christ
- We have a new nature
- We have a new heart
- We have a new spirit
These changes empower us to live according to God’s commands and experience intimate fellowship with Him.
Pure Hearts
In Matthew 5:8, Jesus states: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” This beatitude confirms that purity of heart is not only possible but is the pathway to experiencing God’s presence. If human hearts remained inherently wicked after salvation, no one could ever fulfill this condition or receive its blessing.
The Power of Christ’s Resurrection
When we deny the reality of our new heart and spirit, we effectively deny the resurrection power of Jesus Christ and His ability to cleanse and transform us. Christ came not merely to forgive our sins while leaving us in bondage, but to:
- Deliver us from the power of sin
- Free us from Satan’s dominion
- Release us from the power of death
- Enable us to “walk in newness of life”
An Invitation to New Life
If you have heard these truths about transformation but have never experienced this new life, you can enter into relationship with Jesus Christ today. Through faith in His death and resurrection specifically for you, you can receive forgiveness, a new heart, and a new spirit.
Prayer of Commitment
Dear Father, I recognize that I’m a sinner and I have sinned and rejected Your ways. I’ve gone my own way, and I choose today, right now, to say yes to You. Would You forgive me for my sin? I come to You expecting Your cleansing and freedom because of the truth of Your death and resurrection for me. Forgive me, cleanse me, make me Your own. I choose today to surrender my life to You, to make You Lord, and to follow You all the days of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Conclusion
Through Christ, we receive a new heart and a new spirit—fundamental transformations that enable us to love God, obey His commands, and experience the fullness of relationship with Him. This is not merely theological theory but the practical reality of what it means to be “in Christ” and to experience the power of His resurrection in our daily lives.
