"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
"Through Christ, moral power is brought to man that will change the entire affections, and enable man to work with a will for the cause of God. Where all the power of mind and body was before concentrated to work the works of evil, by the Spirit of God a revolution is brought about. The Holy Spirit enlightens, renews, and sanctifies the soul. Angels behold with inexpressible rapture the results of the working of the Holy Spirit in man. By the revelation of the attractive loveliness of Christ, by the knowledge of his love expressed to us while we were yet sinners, the stubborn heart is melted and subdued, and the sinner is transformed and becomes a child of God. Love is the agency which God uses to expel sin from the human soul. By it he changes pride into humility, enmity and unbelief into love and faith. He does not employ compulsory measures; Jesus is revealed to the soul, and if man will look in faith to the Lamb of God, he will live."
What is the new heart that Christ promised His followers in Ezekiel 36:26?
To fully understand it is helpful to remember from the start that the promise not only includes God-enabled human transformation, referred to as receiving a "new heart"—later defined as a new mind, but also a God-enabled removing that which stands in the way of the desired transformation—self-originated efforts and a stubborn attitude.
In the Bible, we find helpful information in Ezekiel 36:23-27; Deuteronomy 30:6; Psalms. 51:10; Jeremiah 32:39; Psalms 144:12; John 3:3, 5-6,; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:10; Revelation 21:5. From these verses, we learn that we can ask for a new heart, that receiving a new heart is transforming, and affects the people that live around us.
Additional thoughts include the fact that few people know what is meant by the phrase "new heart" in the Bible, and are thus often deceived into thinking it is merely "feelings." {YI September 26, 1901, par. 2} A "new heart" is defined as a "new mind," and this mind is defined as "the will"—which apparently means the "new heart" also has to do with choices. {Ms36, 1891, par. 43}. Having a "new heart" is also defined as having a "new mind, new purposes and new motives, and refers to the mind, the life and the whole being. The sign of a new heart is a changed life. {YI September 26, 1901, par. 5} We also learn that the new mind is not a different mind from what we had before, but a mind that is able see things clearly that were before clouded. {Ms 42, 1904, par. 4}
Accordingly, a new heart refers to a transformation of thinking, attitude and choices.
What do we learn from the following Scriptures?
Ezekiel 36:23-27 (NKJV) 23 And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD,” says the Lord GOD, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. 24 For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. 25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
It is a work of God.
It is a work done while we are still filthy with sin.
It brings about a moral cleansing.
It includes a cleansing from idols.
It includes receiving a new spirit.
It includes removing a stony heart—stubborn attitude.
It means receiving a heart of flesh—a willing attitude.
It includes receiving the Holy Spirit.
It includes receiving a desire and ability to obey God.
Deuteronomy 30:6 (NKJV) "And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live."
God's transformation includes removing that which is hindering.
It brings a multi-generational blessing.
The great purpose in all of this is a great all-encompassing love for God.
Psalms 51:10 (KJV) "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."
We may ask for a transformative work to take place in our lives.
The work will include not only our thinking but our attitudes.
Jeremiah 32:39 (NKJV) "Then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them."
The new heart brings a unity that includes a multi-generational blessing.
Psalms 144:12 (KJV) "That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:"
God wants to transform our children.
It apparently includes bringing moral maturity.
It includes a polishing of regal—heavenly—proportions!
John 3:3 (NKJV) "Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again ["born from above—margin], he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Being "born again" is necessary.
The new birth is of heavenly origin.
John 3:5-6 (NKJV) "Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
True transformation is the work of God. Anything of human origin only brings additional manifestations of the flesh.
We are born from above—from heaven.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV) "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
God's work brings transformation. The phrase "from glory to glory" is sometimes rendered "from character to character"—from our character to Christ's character [Review and Herald, August 13, 1901]
The work takes place as we spend time beholding God's glory.
The work is done by the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
An abiding relationship with Christ as described in John 15:1-8 is necessary.
Abiding in Jesus, we become a new "creation"—not a new creature, but a new creation.
Former things pass away.
All things become new! This is by faith.
I often tell people that this is how God views them and they need to take the same view...by faith!
Galatians 6:15 (NKJV) "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation."
This reminds us that God is in the business of making us new creations.
This work goes far beyond the ceremonial rites that the Jewish rabbis focused on so much.
Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
Praise God that we are God's workmanship!
Praise God that He is able to use our circumstances as His workshop.
Praise God for the understanding given of what our life is to be about.
Praise God that God has provided everything necessary for us to fulfil His plan for us.
Revelation 21:5 (NKJV) "Then He who sat on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.' And He said to me, 'Write, for these words are true and faithful.'"
God Himself wants us to succeed.
God is the power that brings about change.
His power can handle anything.
He is faithful and will do it—would not tell a lie!
God Will Also Remove Our Carnal Stony Heart and Grant Us a New Heart of Flesh
Ezekiel 11:19-20 (NKJV) "Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God."
God not only gives a new heart and new spirit, but also removes the stony, stubborn heart and replaces it with a willing heart of flesh.
This enables us to obey God's commandments.
The change of heart is a clear signal of the saving, changing work of God, and proof that He has adopted us as His children.
Zechariah 7:11-12 (NKJV) “But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. 12 Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts."
Sadly, people who have the potential of becoming new creatures, refuse to listen, shrug their shoulders and close their ears!
Sadly, people with great potential harden their hearts like flint.
As a result they refuse to hear God's words, including His law and the words communicated to them by the Holy Spirit that were sent through His prophets—true back then; still true in our day!
As a result great wrath will come from God.
Matthew 13:5 (NKJV) "Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. ... 20 "But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles."
In this parable we learn how people with stony hearts respond to the gospel.
There is an initial joy and receiving of the truth.
But lack of depth in their study and deficits in the new-found relationship, and persecution which they are not prepared to endure, causes them to lose the blessing that was intended.
Therefore they stumble.
2 Corinthians 3:3 (NKJV) "Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart."
The people who receive hearts of flesh are new creatures and living witnesses of the power of God.
These testimonies are brought about via the providential leadings of the Holy Spirit.
The tablets are not of stone as were the Old Testament ones, but the heart—tablets of flesh!
When we consider God's promise of a new heart in Ezekiel 36:26, we are thinking about one of the most wonderful promises in the Scriptures. As an eminent Christian said in the 1800s:
"Look out on all the promises God’s Word gives, of a clean heart, a heart established blameless in holiness, of a life in righteousness and holiness, of a walk in all the commandments of the Lord unblameable and well-pleasing to Him, of God’s working in us to will and to do, of His working in us that which is well-pleasing in His sight, in the simple faith: God says this; His power can do it. Let the assurance that a life of full obedience is possible possess you. Faith can see the invisible and the impossible. Gaze on the vision until your heart says: ‘It must be true. It is true. There is a life promised I have never yet known.’"—Andrew Murray, The School of Obedience
How this occurs exactly is daunting and mysterious, but many calls are made for holy living in the New Testament, and I am confident that God fully intends to succeed in every case if we will do our part and allow Him to do His part.
What additional information do we gain from the quotations that follow?
Many who speak to others of the need of a new heart do not themselves know what is meant by these words. The youth especially stumble over this phrase, “a new heart.” They do not know what it means. They look for a special change to take place in their feelings. This they term conversion. Over this error thousands have stumbled to ruin, not understanding the expression, “Ye must be born again.” {YI September 26, 1901, par. 2}
Satan leads people to think that because they have felt a rapture of feeling, they are converted. But their experience does not change. Their actions are the same as before. Their lives show no good fruit. They pray often and long, and are constantly referring to the feelings they had at such and such a time. But they do not live the new life. They are deceived. Their experience goes no deeper than feeling. They build upon the sand, and when adverse winds come, their house is swept away. {YI September 26, 1901, par. 3}
Many poor souls are groping in darkness, looking for the feelings which others say they have had in their experience. They overlook the fact that the believer in Christ must work out his own salvation with fear and trembling. The convicted sinner has something to do. He must repent and show true faith. {YI September 26, 1901, par. 4}
When Jesus speaks of the new heart, he means the mind, the life, the whole being. To have a change of heart is to withdraw the affections from the world, and fasten them upon Christ. To have a new heart is to have a new mind, new purposes, new motives. What is the sign of a new heart?—A changed life. There is a daily, hourly dying to selfishness and pride. {YI September 26, 1901, par. 5}
When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which man can never accomplish for himself. It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into human nature. The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan. But unless we do yield ourselves to the control of Christ, we shall be dominated by the wicked one. We must inevitably be under the control of the one or the other of the two great powers that are contending for the supremacy of the world. It is not necessary for us deliberately to choose the service of the kingdom of darkness in order to come under its dominion. We have only to neglect to ally ourselves with the kingdom of light. If we do not co-operate with the heavenly agencies, Satan will take possession of the heart, and will make it his abiding place. The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. Unless we become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. We may leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with Satan; but without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome. Without a personal acquaintance with Christ, and a continual communion, we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall do his bidding in the end. {DA 324.1}
As the sinner, drawn by the power of Christ, approaches the uplifted cross, and prostrates himself before it, there is a new creation. A new heart is given him. He becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus. Holiness finds that it has nothing more to require. God Himself is “the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:26. And “whom He justified, them He also glorified.” Romans 8:30. Great as is the shame and degradation through sin, even greater will be the honor and exaltation through redeeming love. To human beings striving for conformity to the divine image there is imparted an outlay of heaven’s treasure, an excellency of power, that will place them higher than even the angels who have never fallen. {COL 162.4}
In the Bible the will of God is revealed. Through all time this book is to stand as a revelation of Jehovah. To human beings the holy oracles have been committed to be the power of God. The truths of the Word of God are not mere sentiments, but the utterances of the Most High. He who makes these truths a part of His life becomes in every sense a new creature. He is not given new mental powers, but the darkness, that through ignorance and sin have clouded the understanding, is removed. {Ms 42, 1904, par. 4}
The words, “A new heart will I give you,” mean, “A new mind will I give you.” [Ezekiel 36:26.] This change of heart is always attended by a clear conception of Christian duty, an understanding of truth. The clearness of our view of truth will be proportionate to our understanding of the Word of God. He who gives the Scriptures close, prayerful attention will gain clear comprehension and sound judgment, as if in turning to God he had reached a higher grade of intelligence. {Ms 42, 1904, par. 5} ...
[Referring to the Hebrew Youth who were also enrolled in the King's school at the time of Daniel, but who were not faithful] The mind in which error has once taken possession can never expand freely to after-investigation. The old theories will claim recognition. The understanding of things that are true and elevated and sanctifying will be confused. Superstitious ideas will enter the mind to mingle with the true, and these ideas are always debasing in their influence. Christian knowledge bears its own stamp of unmeasured superiority in all that concerns the preparation for the future, immortal life. It distinguishes the Bible reader and believer who has been receiving the precious treasures of truth from the skeptic and the believer in pagan philosophy. {Ms 42, 1904, par. 11}
"It is the love of self that brings unrest. When we are born from above, the same mind will be in us that was in Jesus, the mind that led Him to humble Himself that we might be saved. Then we shall not be seeking the highest place. We shall desire to sit at the feet of Jesus, and learn of Him. We shall understand that the value of our work does not consist in making a show and noise in the world, and in being active and zealous in our own strength. The value of our work is in proportion to the impartation of the Holy Spirit. Trust in God brings holier qualities of mind, so that in patience we may possess our souls." {DA 330.4}
It is not evidence such ones need; this they have had, and are over fed with the precious banquet from heaven’s store house, and them then go away and begin to criticize the messengers and the message God sends until more food would only do them harm. Light from heaven has flashed upon them; they have had evidence piled upon evidence; what they need is not more evidence but a new heart, a converted soul, a new mind, a new purpose. Then they can hear and be blessed. When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up for them a standard against him. In the heart will be a burning desire to do something for the Master to give evidence of their love for the truth as it is in Jesus. {Lt 8, 1898, par. 24}
Now God wants His converting power to come on this occasion. There are some that come to our meetings; they will sit all through the meetings; they have borne a few words of testimony now and then. They have gone home and done just exactly, if not worse, than before. Why? Because they had not the new heart. What is the new heart? It is the new mind. What is the mind? It is the will. Where is your will? It is either on Satan’s side or Christ’s side. Now it is [up to] you. Will you put your will today on Christ’s side of the question? That is the new heart. It is the new will, a new mind. “A new heart will I give thee.” [Ezekiel 36:26.] Then let us begin right here. {Ms 36, 1891, par. 43}
"So spiritual is the character of God’s work upon the human heart that receives it, that it makes every one a new creature, without destroying or weakening any capability God has given to man. It purifies every attribute fit for connection with the divine nature. That which is born of the Spirit is Spirit, and when man is born from above, a heavenly peace pervades the soul." {Ms1-1897}
"To have a new heart is to have a new mind, new purposes, new motives. What is the sign of a new heart?—A changed life. There is a daily, hourly dying to selfishness and pride. {YI September 26, 1901, par. 5}
Proof Is Seen In Breaking The Bondage Of Satan
"When the message of truth is presented in our day, there are many who, like the Jews, cry, Show us a sign. Work us a miracle. Christ wrought no miracle at the demand of the Pharisees. He wrought no miracle in the wilderness in answer to Satan’s insinuations. He does not impart to us power to vindicate ourselves or to satisfy the demands of unbelief and pride. But the gospel is not without a sign of its divine origin. Is it not a miracle that we can break from the bondage of Satan? Enmity against Satan is not natural to the human heart; it is implanted by the grace of God. When one who has been controlled by a stubborn, wayward will is set free, and yields himself wholeheartedly to the drawing of God’s heavenly agencies, a miracle is wrought; so also when a man who has been under strong delusion comes to understand moral truth. Every time a soul is converted, and learns to love God and keep His commandments, the promise of God is fulfilled, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you.” Ezekiel 36:26. The change in human hearts, the transformation of human characters, is a miracle that reveals an ever-living Saviour, working to rescue souls. A consistent life in Christ is a great miracle. In the preaching of the word of God, the sign that should be manifest now and always is the presence of the Holy Spirit, to make the word a regenerating power to those that hear. This is God’s witness before the world to the divine mission of His Son." {DA 407.1}
"Many who speak to others of the need of a new heart do not themselves know what is meant by these words. The youth especially stumble over this phrase, “a new heart.” They do not know what it means. They look for a special change to take place in their feelings. This they term conversion. Over this error thousands have stumbled to ruin, not understanding the expression, “Ye must be born again.” {YI September 26, 1901, par. 2}
Satan leads people to think that because they have felt a rapture of feeling, they are converted. But their experience does not change. Their actions are the same as before. Their lives show no good fruit. They pray often and long, and are constantly referring to the feelings they had at such and such a time. But they do not live the new life. They are deceived. Their experience goes no deeper than feeling. They build upon the sand, and when adverse winds come, their house is swept away. {YI September 26, 1901, par. 3}
"Satan is working by every deception he can command, in order that we may not discern that love. He will lead us to think that our mistakes and transgressions have been so grievous that the Lord will not have respect unto our prayers and will not bless and save us. In ourselves we can see nothing but weakness, nothing to recommend us to God, and Satan tells us that it is of no use; we cannot remedy our defects of character. When we try to come to God, the enemy will whisper, It is of no use for you to pray; did not you do that evil thing? Have you not sinned against God and violated your own conscience? But we may tell the enemy that “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. When we feel that we have sinned and cannot pray, it is then the time to pray. Ashamed we may be and deeply humbled, but we must pray and believe. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15. Forgiveness, reconciliation with God, comes to us, not as a reward for our works, it is not bestowed because of the merit of sinful men, but it is a gift unto us, having in the spotless righteousness of Christ its foundation for bestowal. {MB 115.1}
"The Saviour said, “Except a man be born from above,” unless he shall receive a new heart, new desires, purposes, and motives, leading to a new life, “he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3, margin. The idea that it is necessary only to develop the good that exists in man by nature, is a fatal deception. “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” 1 Corinthians 2:14; John 3:7. Of Christ it is written, “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men”—the only “name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” John 1:4; Acts 4:12. {SC 18.2}
"Men and women are to begin at the beginning, seeking God most earnestly for a true Christian experience. They are to feel the creative power of the Holy Spirit. They are to receive the new heart, that is kept soft and tender by the grace of heaven. The selfish spirit is to be cleansed from the soul. They are to labor earnestly and with humility of heart, each one looking to Jesus for guidance and encouragement. Then the building, fitly framed together, will grow into a holy temple in the Lord."—(SDA Bible Commentary 4: 1165.) {Pr 141.1}
One of the most earnest prayers recorded in the Word of God is that of David, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” [Psalm 51:10.] The promise of God to those who cry thus to Him is, “A new heart will I give you; and a new spirit will I put within you.” [Ezekiel 36:26.] A heart right with God, given to you through the power of the Holy Spirit, will make you a new life. The truth of God controlling it in righteousness will be to you the power of God unto salvation. You will have a sense of divine power and grace within you, and this will cause you to reveal the fruits of righteousness. The Holy Scriptures will then be to you a treasure house of knowledge. Through obedience to the Word of God, mother and daughter will become heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. You will sit down with Him to the marriage supper of the Lamb. {Lt196-1907.2}
"The prayer that David offered for a preparation of heart in order to do acceptable service for God, should be the prayer of every believer today. He said: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” {AUCR October 14, 1907, par. 4}
God will put a new song [on] your lips when you surrender your will and way to Him. Give yourself without reserve to God. Do not make a single reserve. Not a single compromise with the prince of darkness. Wrench yourself away from him. Cut loose from all that binds you to Satan’s chariot wheels. Do you know what it is to be free in Jesus Christ? I have experienced it. A new heart will He give you and a new song will He put [on] your lips, even praise to God. When Satan tells you to groan, begin to sing. When he tells you to pour out your doubts to him, praise God. {Ms17-1894.}
"This morning we had another meeting where I read some things pointedly for Brother Church in regard to his chart and his philosophy which I stated was not true, that they confused judgment and were ideas that himself had originated that could not in any way bring light and peace and assurance to the heart of believers, that God could not impress the heart unless these strange fancies were given up. These things which he brought into the church were a mixture of ideas and fragments of things pieced together—a little truth and a mixture of error. All his teaching [of] these things brought no light, but confusion and darkness. He arose and said, “If this had come to me five years ago I could not have received it.” Said he received the testimony. He was not right. He must have a new heart and he was going to agonize for it day and night. I said, “Brother Church, the Lord has said, ‘a new heart will I give you.’ [Ezekiel 36:26.] You may labor, you may work with all your powers for a new heart and you will be just as far from your object as you are at the present time. You cannot prepare the garment of righteousness for yourself. You must put on the garment of righteousness of Christ which has been woven in Christ’s loom. All your struggles and wrestlings are unnecessary. All you have to do is to believe the naked promise of God; cast yourself helpless and dependent on the merits of the blood of a crucified, risen Saviour. Christ says, ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.’ [Revelation 3:20.] All you have to do is to open the door for Jesus. Rest with unwavering faith in the promises of God.” {Lt 87, 1890, par. 5}
"A heart is said to be opened to receive the truth. Is your heart open to receive the truth? The gospel must be received in order to regenerate the heart, and the reception of truth will mean the surrender of mind and will to the will of Divine Power. {Lt44-1899}
"What is the new heart? It is the new mind. What is the mind? It is the will. Where is your will? It is either on Satan’s side or Christ’s side. Now it is [up to] you. Will you put your will today on Christ’s side of the question? That is the new heart. It is the new will, a new mind. “A new heart will I give thee.” [Ezekiel 36:26.] Then let us begin right here.:
"Your will must blend with the divine will, and you must submit to the divine working"
"The will must be placed on the side of God’s will. Then there is a new heart, and new, holy resolves."
Note that we have a very active role in blending with God's will and submitting to His work.
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you,” are the words of Christ, which, abiding in the heart of the believer, transform his character. They are not a dead letter, but they are spirit and life. They are motive power to all action. If they are lightly regarded, nominally received, without working in us, they are useless, and will only condemn us in the judgment. We shall grow no better under their influence, but shall continually become worse in character, more careless, more self-willed, more filled with self-esteem, puffed up in our own conceit; so that we are worse off than if we had no knowledge of them. Christ’s words are to a purpose, to lead men to will and to do. They are an impelling power, causing men to resolve and to act. But none are forced against their will. God’s grace will not supply the place of man’s co-operation. No amount of light, conviction, or grace can transform the character, only as man shall arouse to co-operate with God. The Holy Spirit puts forth its energies to break the power of Satan’s attractions and temptations upon the human mind; but the will must yield, human co-operation must be enlisted, for this is the indispensable condition of salvation. {ST December 28, 1891, par. 1} “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” What! must man do this work of himself unaided?—No, no. This is his part in the action, but hear the conclusion: “For it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good-pleasure.” Your will must blend with the divine will, and you must submit to the divine working. Your energies are required to co-operate with God. Without this, if it were possible to force upon you with a hundred-fold greater intensity the influences of the Spirit of God, it would not make you a Christian, a fit subject for heaven. The stronghold of Satan would not be broken. There must be the willing and the doing on the part of the receiver. There must be an action, represented as coming out from the world and being separate. There must be a doing of the words of Christ. The soul must be emptied of self, that Christ may pour his Spirit into the vacuum. Christ must be chosen as the heavenly guest. The will must be placed on the side of God’s will. Then there is a new heart, and new, holy resolves. It is Jesus enthroned in the soul that makes every action easy in his service. He is the fountain of all righteousness, the source of all happiness, the reservoir of all power. There must be a full trust in Christ’s words, and Christ must be all in all to the receiver. Grace, truth, and joy will fill the soul. {ST December 28, 1891, par. 2} “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” Christ abiding in the heart will prompt right desires. Then we may press to the mercy seat, and in the name of Jesus, our Advocate, in the full assurance of faith, claim all that the soul needs. What a hold on heaven has everyone who complies with the conditions Christ has given! He surely is not left comfortless. He need despair of nothing; he may hope for everything; for he has a right, a guarantee from Christ to call at every step of the way for the divine agency to work with his effort, and to bless with that effort all with whom he associates. {ST December 28, 1891, par. 3}
"One of the most earnest prayers recorded in the Word of God is that of David when he plead, “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” God’s response to such a prayer is, A new heart will I give you. This is a work that no finite man can do. Men and women are to begin at the beginning, seeking God most earnestly for a true Christian experience. They are to feel the creative power of the Holy Spirit. They are to receive the new heart, that is kept soft and tender by the grace of heaven. The selfish spirit is to be cleansed from the soul. They are to labor earnestly and with humility of heart, each one looking to Jesus for guidance and encouragement. Then the building, fitly framed together, will grow into a holy temple in the Lord. {Lt 224 - 1907}
"They have enlisted in Christ’s army. The warfare is before them, and they enter it bravely and cheerfully, fighting against their natural inclinations and selfish desires, bringing the will into subjection to the will of Christ. Daily they seek the Lord for grace to obey him, and they are strengthened and helped. This is true conversion. In humble, grateful dependence he who has been given a new heart relies upon the help of Christ. He reveals in his life the fruit of righteousness. He once loved himself. Worldly pleasure was his delight. Now his idol is dethroned, and God reigns supreme. The sins he once loved he now hates. Firmly and resolutely he follows in the path of holiness. {YI September 26, 1901, par. 10}
“A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you.” I believe with all my heart that the Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the world, and those who have had great light and opportunities and have not improved them, will be the first to be left. They have grieved away the Spirit of God. The present activity of Satan in working upon hearts, and upon churches and nations should startle every student of prophecy. The end is near. Let our churches arise. Let the converting power of God be experienced in the heart of the individual members, and then we shall see the deep moving of the Spirit of God. Mere forgiveness of sin is not the sole result of the death of Jesus. He made the infinite sacrifice not only that sin might be removed, but that human nature might be restored, rebeautified, reconstructed from its ruins, and made fit for the presence of God.... {3SM 154.1}
Christ is the ladder which Jacob saw whose base rested on the earth and whose topmost round reached the highest heavens. This shows the appointed method of salvation. We are to climb round after round of this ladder. If any one of us shall finally be saved, it will be by clinging to Jesus as to the rounds of a ladder. Christ is made unto the believer wisdom and righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.... {3SM 154.2}
There will be some terrible falls by those who think they stand firm because they have the truth; but they have it not as it is in Jesus. A moment’s carelessness may plunge a soul into irretrievable ruin. One sin leads to the second, and the second prepares the way for a third and so on. We must as faithful messengers of God, plead with Him constantly to be kept by His power. If we swerve a single inch from duty we are in danger of following on in a course of sin that ends in perdition. There is hope for every one of us, but only in one way—by fastening ourselves to Christ, and exerting every energy to attain to the perfection of His character. {3SM 154.3}
There are wonderful sermons on the subject, of which three are added below.
This is one of the better sermons on the subject that I have found. It is not long but packs in a lot of information, including:
"Many who speak to others of the need of a new heart do not themselves know what is meant by these words. The youth especially stumble over this phrase, “a new heart.” They do not know what it means. They look for a special change to take place in their feelings. This they term conversion. Over this error thousands have stumbled to ruin.
"When Jesus speaks of the new heart, he means the mind, the life, the whole being. To have a change of heart is to withdraw the affections from the world, and fasten them upon Christ. To have a new heart is to have a new mind, new purposes, new motives. What is the sign of a new heart?—A changed life."
In this excerpt from a sermon on unity, we find important statements on the meaning of the "new heart" in Ezekiel 36:26.
This is a wonderful sermon on abiding, the new heart, the will and how we must exercize our will to obtain the new heart blessing, is a key article to understand this subject!
Find some wonderful thoughts on what Christ can do! Notice the following:
"Through Christ, moral power is brought to man that will change the entire affections, and enable man to work with a will for the cause of God. Where all the power of mind and body was before concentrated to work the works of evil, by the Spirit of God a revolution is brought about. The Holy Spirit enlightens, renews, and sanctifies the soul. Angels behold with inexpressible rapture the results of the working of the Holy Spirit in man. By the revelation of the attractive loveliness of Christ, by the knowledge of his love expressed to us while we were yet sinners, the stubborn heart is melted and subdued, and the sinner is transformed and becomes a child of God. Love is the agency which God uses to expel sin from the human soul. By it he changes pride into humility, enmity and unbelief into love and faith. He does not employ compulsory measures; Jesus is revealed to the soul, and if man will look in faith to the Lamb of God, he will live."
Here are several practical applications of what seeking and experiencing the power of a new heart.
This illustration comes from Meade MacGuire's book Lamb's Among Wolves, and shares how God restored a marriage when the couple earnestly asked God to give them new hearts.
Seek Christ In Your Weakness, a letter sent to a woman was facing spiritual struggles due to a husband who had adopted strange ideas, provides information on how to come to Christ in such situations. The following is an excerpt from the letter.
"If you will now come in your weakness to Christ, and open your heart to the reception of the truth, letting truth take possession of your heart, and the will of Christ take possession of your mind, Christ will abide in you. ... Your enemies may be those of your own household; but the Spirit of God can make you sure of the victory. {Lt196-1907.1}
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