He found their hearts estranged
from him. By Henry Law Jesus loves his
people with everlasting love and has inscribed their names
upon his heart. He has received them as the jewels
of his crown and the signet ring upon his right hand. He delights
over them as a bridegroom over his spouse. He knew that a hellish
master had usurped dominion over them. He encountered this diabolical
foe and rescued them from his cruel grasp. So they became his
by conquest. He found them wretched and pitiful
and poor and blind and naked, and He wrought out a glorious
robe of righteousness to adorn them for His celestial palace.
He knew that their sins were both abominable and innumerable. He laid down His life and shed
His blood to satisfy each demand of divine justice. He found their
hearts estranged from Him, and their affections given to the
worthless baubles of this fleeting world. He sent His Holy Spirit
to create new hearts within them, to win their love, to lead them
to choose Him as their everlasting All. Thus they became His by
voluntary surrender. I will sprinkle clean water on
you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your
impurities, and from all your idols. I will give you a new
heart, and put a new spirit in you. I will remove from you your
heart of stone, and give you a heart of flesh. I will put
my spirit in you, and cause you to follow my decrees, and be
careful to keep my laws. Ezekiel chapter 36, verses 25
to 27