Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the heart is often seen as the center of human emotion, will, and intellect. It is the seat of one's inner life and spiritual condition. A renewed heart signifies a transformation that aligns one's inner being with the will and holiness of God. This transformation is a central theme in Scripture, emphasizing the necessity of a heart that is not only renewed but also made holy.
Biblical FoundationThe concept of a renewed and holy heart is rooted in the promises of the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament through the work of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In
Ezekiel 36:26, God promises, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." This prophetic declaration points to a divine transformation that enables believers to live in accordance with God's statutes.
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks to the transformation of the heart in
Romans 12:2, urging believers, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This renewal is not merely intellectual but involves the entire inner being, including the heart, leading to a life that is holy and pleasing to God.
The Role of the Holy SpiritThe renewal of the heart is intrinsically linked to the work of the Holy Spirit. In
Titus 3:5, Paul writes, "He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." The Holy Spirit is the agent of renewal, cleansing the heart and empowering believers to live in holiness.
Characteristics of a Renewed and Holy HeartA renewed and holy heart is characterized by several key attributes:
1.
Purity: A holy heart is pure, free from the corruption of sin. Jesus emphasizes this in
Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Purity of heart is essential for communion with God and is a mark of true discipleship.
2.
Obedience: A renewed heart is inclined towards obedience to God's commands. In
John 14:15, Jesus states, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." Obedience flows naturally from a heart that has been transformed by God's grace.
3.
Love: Love is the defining characteristic of a holy heart. In
Romans 5:5, Paul writes, "And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." This divine love enables believers to love God and others selflessly.
4.
Humility: A renewed heart is marked by humility, recognizing one's dependence on God.
James 4:10 exhorts, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you." Humility is essential for maintaining a right relationship with God and others.
Practical ImplicationsThe renewal of the heart has profound implications for the believer's life. It calls for a continual process of sanctification, where the believer cooperates with the Holy Spirit in becoming more like Christ. This involves regular self-examination, repentance, and a commitment to spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers.
Moreover, a renewed and holy heart impacts one's relationships, fostering peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation. It also influences one's witness to the world, as a life transformed by God's grace serves as a powerful testimony to the reality of the Gospel.
In summary, the renewed and holy heart is a central theme in Scripture, reflecting the transformative work of God in the believer's life. Through the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to live in purity, obedience, love, and humility, reflecting the character of Christ to the world.
Nave's Topical Index
Psalm 66:18If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
Nave's Topical Index1 Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Nave's Topical Index
Library
The Perfect Heart.
... There are no naturally perfect hearts. It must mean, then, a heart renewed
by the Holy Ghost, put right with God, and then kept right. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter viii the perfect heart.htm
The Test of Discipleship
... is renewed in the image of God. And the heart that in its unrenewed state is not
subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be, now delights in its holy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 7 the test of.htm
That Holy Complacency Gives Our Heart to God, and Makes us Feel a ...
... So our heart being brought into the presence of the ... always contents never lessens,
but is renewed and flourishes ... way to satiate desire by a holy presence, and ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iii that holy complacency.htm
How, While the Whole Heart is Employed in Sacred Love, yet one May ...
... and that with his second heart which God created pure and clean in him, and with
his right spirit which God renewed in his bowels by most holy penitence, he ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iii how while the.htm
Sacrifice Renewed
... THE SECOND BOOK OF CHRONICLES SACRIFICE RENEWED. ... and as many as were of a free heart
burnt offerings ... to 'carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place to the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/sacrifice renewed.htm
A Call to Holy Living
... salvation. I am sure that every renewed heart here will feel no opposition
to the most holy precepts of our Lord. However severely ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/a call to holy living.htm
Sin in the Heart the Source of Error in the Head
... alienated from God that he needs to be renewed in the spirit of his mind by the
Holy Ghost, and ... to its reception is the aversion of the human heart. ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/sin in the heart the.htm
That Holy Love May be Augmented Still More and More in Every one ...
... from virtue to virtue, are day by day renewed, that is ... him be justified still: and
he that is holy, let him ... us hear the Prophet: I have inclined my heart to do ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter i that holy love.htm
The Fruits of Grace
... of God, was met and conquered by eternal love, and his heart was renewed, and he
was ... were most furious against Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit has ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/the fruits of grace.htm
First, I am to Consider what the Keeping of the Heart Supposes and ...
... apprehend what it is to keep the heart, which is nothing but the constant care and
diligence of such a renewed man to preserve his soul in that holy frame to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/first i am to consider.htm
Resources
What are the causes and solutions for a hardened heart? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible mean when it says that we will receive a new heart? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is circumcision of the heart? | GotQuestions.orgHeart: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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