When God redeemed us, adopted us, and grafted us into His family, He transferred us into His lineage.

He formed us from the same fabric He is made from (ref. 2 Pt. 1:4). In other words, we are brand new people, partakers of His spiritual DNA. Why else would he call us His children and Himself our Father?

The old person we were—and were destined to be because of our identity in Adam—was crucified in Christ (ref. Gal. 2:20). But just as Christ did not stay dead, neither do we. In the same way God raised Christ from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand, so He has done to us and for us who are Believers, i.e. His children (ref. Eph. 2:6).

This fact is absolutely and utterly dependent upon us being “fit” to sit next to Him—and He has made us “fit” through the work of Christ.

And do not be mistaken: He has not made us acceptable a little bit. He recreated us from the inside out, from the ground up, through and through, starting with our ability to connect with Him.

This connection capacity is the job of the heart. We know this in earthly relationships. It is true in our spiritual relationship as well.

It is for this reason that the Scriptures are emphatic. It is for this reason that Ezekiel’s prophecy is important. We MUST know the true condition of our hearts. 

And in part 3, How should we think and live as people with new hearts? 

I’ve written two books, both novels, to not only describe the heart but demonstrate it. No Mercy tells the story of the heart’s formation. Battle for the Round Tower is the story of the heart’s power.