Having a new heart in Christ means being regenerated by the Holy Spirit, resulting in a desire to follow God and His commands.
The concept of receiving a new heart in Christ is integral to the Reformed understanding of regeneration. In Acts 9, Saul's transformation is marked by a profound change in his desires and motives; he moves from persecuting Christians to preaching the gospel. This change signifies the work of the Holy Spirit, granting Saul a new nature that seeks to obey God's will. Ezekiel 36:26 speaks of God giving His people a new heart and putting a new spirit within them, enabling them to walk in His statutes. This new heart not only reflects a change in behavior but also a fundamental shift in allegiance from self to Christ, as we begin to desire what God desires.
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