A New Heart

I used to be a very mean person. I used to be a very lustful person. I used to be a very egoistic person. I didn’t know who I was and so I sought identity in different friend groups. I’d change the way I spoke, the way I walked, and the way I dressed to fit in; a draining cycle that always ended by me feeling empty and purposeless. I remember thinking to myself, ‘what is the purpose of my being?’ and would feel a very deep and scary sense of emptiness, a sense of being lost, and lack of purpose. This led me to a very dark place. But, this was all before I came to know my Maker for myself.

Have you ever met a person, who is so attached to their ways that well, they cannot even fathom or imagine a day where they would be different? They find that their ways, whether it be pride, lust, anger, laziness or whatever it may be, is such a deep part of who they are that even if they tried, no matter how hard they’d try, they would not be able to change or ever be different. I was once that person, but now I am a firm believer that it is only the Lord Jesus Christ who is able to change the heart of a person, I’m talking true transformation, and He is able to use other people in the process.

Today, I am a new creation in Christ Jesus. The hate, lust, and pride I once knew, are now dead to me and this, only through the Lord Jesus (Gal 6:14a). He took what was once my heart and throw it away, and He gave me a brand new heart, founded on His word. This transformation did not happen overnight, or after a quick prayer. I had to dive into His word, and I intentionally drew near to Him. As I continued to pursue Him, I found that the desires I once had, no longer reigned in my heart. Just as Ezekiel 36:26 (ESV) says, “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” The very things that I didn’t even believe could no longer be a part of me, were ripped off from my heart and I no longer identified with them. But all of this, because of the accomplished work of the cross by my Lord Jesus.

Above is just a little part of my story, but now I’ll share with you what I have been learning concerning having a new heart in the Lord.

Our walk with the Lord is not some sprint, but truly a journey, with each new day, one day at a time. I’ve been learning that when we’re not spending time with God, and we are living in our own selfish flesh, it’s easy to be offended by stuff, it’s easy to just snap back and give someone a piece of your mind, and it’s easy to just give into a temptation that comes your way. BUT, when you spend time with God, HE literally equips you, He gives you more of His Holy Spirit, and He reminds you of the truths of His word that will never pass away. So then, the next time someone comes at you reckless you’re like, ‘yeah the old me would’ve snapped back and really gave this person a piece of my mind BUT, that person is dead. I’m a new creation in Christ Jesus, and so I’m going to take this situation and turn it into an opportunity to exercise love and patience. I’m going to take this situation and turn it into an opportunity to express Jesus.’ And by this, bringing more glory to God. Yes, God is glorified by this.

When you spend time with your Maker, He will give you wisdom through His Spirit and then the next time temptation comes your way, you’re already equipped with His truth. His Spirit reminds you that there is nothing new under the sun and that God provides an escape from every temptation just like 1 Corinthians 10:13 says that “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (ESV). And so you say ‘yeah, so I’m going to take that escape route instead.’ So therefore you turn that situation of temptation into an opportunity to glorify God your Creator by choosing the escape He provides. Choosing to be led by His Spirit, every day, with each new day, one day at a time, and by this, we gain more of Christ in us.

I am a sinner who has been saved, BUT who is continually being saved much more, every day. My heart is now that I would decrease and that He would increase more and more. That Christ would increase in my heart, will, and spirit more and more. As He increases in me, through me pursuing Him, His heart, and gaining more of Him through spending time with Him, through filling myself up with His truth found in His word, and through everyday being led by His Spirit, my heart becomes one with His heart. My heart becomes one with Him, in His righteousness, His purity, His love, His grace, and His will more and more. And so that “Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love” (Eph 3:17). And as He sits on the throne of my heart, it is only natural that I be an expression of Him, because then, He’d truly be living in me, through His Spirit. All this is only done through Christ, never by myself or my own efforts alone. I must simply be faithful in my part, and He takes care of the rest.

Every day when I wake up, I want to think ‘praise God for a new day that I can express Jesus Christ my Lord on this earth, in my community, in my classes, in my family’ and so on. Truly, the Lord is good. Seek Him with all your heart and surely you will find Him. I sought Him, I drew near to Him, and He drew near to me. He loves you, yes you, so much more than you could ever grasp, trust me on this one, He truly loves you. He desires to make His home in your heart. He can do for anyone what He did for me. Truly, the Lord is good.

With much love,

~Christelle