Topical Bible: The Heart: Renewal of, Promised Under the Gospel

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The concept of the heart's renewal is a central theme in the Christian Gospel, reflecting the transformative power of God's grace and the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life. The heart, in biblical terms, often represents the innermost being of a person, encompassing their will, emotions, and intellect. Under the Gospel, the renewal of the heart is promised as a divine act that brings about a profound change in one's nature and relationship with God.

Old Testament Foundations

The promise of a renewed heart is foreshadowed in the Old Testament, where the prophets speak of a future transformation that God will bring about in His people. In Ezekiel 36:26, God declares, "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 promise indicates a shift from a hardened, rebellious heart to one that is responsive and obedient to God.

Similarly, Jeremiah 31:33 speaks of the new covenant, where God promises, "I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people." This covenantal promise highlights the internalization of God's law, signifying a heart transformed to align with His will.

Fulfillment in the New Testament

The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of these promises through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Gospel message proclaims that through faith in Christ, believers receive the Holy Spirit, who initiates and sustains the renewal of the heart. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul writes, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" This transformation is not merely external but involves a fundamental change in the believer's nature.

The renewal of the heart is further emphasized in Romans 12:2, where Paul exhorts believers, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This renewal is an ongoing process, facilitated by the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live in accordance with God's will.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the renewal of the heart, as He indwells believers and works to produce the fruit of the Spirit within them. Galatians 5:22-23 lists these fruits, including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The presence of these qualities in a believer's life is evidence of a heart being renewed and conformed to the image of Christ.

Moreover, the Spirit's work in renewing the heart is a testament to the believer's adoption as a child of God. Romans 8:15-16 states, "For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children." This relationship assures believers of their new identity and the ongoing work of renewal in their hearts.

Practical Implications

The renewal of the heart under the Gospel has profound practical implications for the believer's life. It calls for a life of holiness, as seen in Ephesians 4:22-24, where Paul instructs, "Put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." This transformation involves a daily commitment to live out the new identity in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Furthermore, the renewed heart is characterized by a love for God and others, fulfilling the greatest commandments as stated by Jesus in Matthew 22:37-39. The believer's renewed heart is thus a reflection of God's love, manifesting in acts of service, compassion, and a desire to share the Gospel with others.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 11:19
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 36:26
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
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Hebrews 3:10
Why I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
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Library

The Holy Nation
... Undeserved mercies steal into the heart like the breath ... its individual members, of
pardon, the renewal of the ... house of Israel.' The blessings promised do not ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the holy nation.htm

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
... been instituted on the occasion of a renewal of God's ... give you pastors according
to mine heart, which shall ... were entitled to the blessings promised and secured ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xi covenanting enforced by.htm

Sanctification.
... This was the great thing all along promised, first to Abraham ... we have repented; but
it is only a renewal of our ... ourselves so much as to have no heart to ask for ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/lecture xl sanctification.htm

Preaching for the Poor
... can really penetrate the conscience and the heart; and we ... bringing about of spiritual
revivals, to the renewal of the ... it is this that he has promised to crown ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/preaching for the poor.htm

The Second Epistle to the Corinthians the Creator the Father of ...
... will appertain to none other than Him who promised it"if ... of this world, [5713] He
blinds the heart of the ... tear [5738] of its trials, and the renewal of the ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xi the second epistle to.htm

The Abrogation of the Saybrook Platform
... his office, or to obtain a legal renewal of them ... safety to commerce and the fisheries,
and promised a new ... a doctrine which you in your heart believe contrary ...
/.../chapter xi the abrogation of.htm

Out of the Deep of Sin.
... miraculous in the doctrines of regeneration and renewal than in ... the moment that you
cry from your heart""Father, I ... He has promised to take away the sins of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/out of the deep/ii out of the deep.htm

Index of Subjects. Abel, 124, 136, 193, 414.
... Holy Spirit, presence of, in the heart, [776]98; the ... view of it, [942]243, [943]390;
promised in Old ... Law, under the, what, [954]145; a schoolmaster to Christ ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/index of subjects abel 124.htm

The Intimacy of Human Hearts in Christ
... in witness and service, of your reconciliation and renewal,[6] fruit ... Is His promised
Day the goal and longing of my ... me, O God, and try my heart"; "Enter not ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/moule/philippian studies/chapter ii the intimacy of.htm

By the Sea once More
... them to leave their fishing boats, and had promised to make ... His act was a renewal
of the commission to the ... who can read all the motives of the heart he appeals ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 85 by the sea.htm