Why is a rent heart important for Christians?

For Christians, a rent heart is vital because it reflects an authentic acknowledgment of our sinfulness and a desire for transformation. In Joel 2:13, the command to rend one’s heart emphasizes the need to move beyond mere external compliance with religious rituals and recognize the depth of one's depravity before God. This heart change is necessary for true fellowship with Him. Moreover, the New Testament echoes this sentiment, as seen in 2 Corinthians 5:17 where becoming a new creation is contingent upon an inward change. Thus, a rent heart leads us to rely wholly on Christ’s redemptive work rather than our own efforts.