“And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.” (ESV – Read the chapter)
This is one of the great promises of God in the Old Testament. Apart from Christ, people lack both the will and the ability to pursue a relationship with God. It’s not just that we want to, but can’t, or even that we are able, but don’t really want it. We couldn’t do it even if our heart desired it.
Before Jesus, this lack kept people separated from God. Yes, by sacrifices they could get fairly close, but their hearts kept leading them away, and so they had to keep making more sacrifices. There was an endless stream of sacrifices that never accomplished their purpose.
In Christ and in the Holy Spirit, the Father has made a way. He has given us the means to have not only the ability, but the desire to pursue Him; to do life His way. He did this because He is absolutely committed to seeking a relationship with us. He is absolutely committed to seeking a relationship with you. Receive Him and let Him transform you.