How does God change the heart?

The transformation of the heart is an act of God's grace, as outlined in Scriptures like Ezekiel 36:26, where God promises to give His people a new heart and a new spirit. In the context of Joel's message, the call to rend our hearts highlights the necessity of divine intervention in our lives. We cannot change our hearts by our own willpower; it requires the power of the Holy Spirit to awaken us to our need for salvation. Once our eyes are opened to see Christ's sacrifice and love for us, a heartfelt response of faith and repentance occurs, leading to genuine transformation.