What About that New Heart – We all need the transformation that only God can do!

What About that New Heart
Pastor Calvin Cook
October 3, 2025
I knew of a person many years ago, who had become very sick because his heart was diseased and not functioning properly. After a long wait, he received a new heart. This was one of the first human heart transplants. The new heart did not come with ease, it seemed like it took, months for recovery. Finally, the time came for him to once again be out and about, and it was noticeable the change that had been made in his life. I can’t say if there was a noticeable soul change, but the physical change was noticeable. I’m sure the inner change was significant, but it is so much easier to see change on the outside.

I have had the opportunity to know several others who have experienced lifesaving transplants and go on to live a life, not without obstacles, but to live nevertheless. I rejoice always with those who have been rescued from extenuating health concerns and give God glory and praise for healing power.

This morning as I thought about and prayed for those who have experienced this healing the scripture came to mind from Ezekiel 36:26-27

“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” (ESV)

The honesty and hopefulness in a life fully devoted to God, believing in Jesus as Lord and Savior of our life, and allowing the Holy Spirit to do Holy Spirit stuff is essential to each of us. Regardless of how serious we are taking our relationship with Jesus the truth is this – When we experience God something has to change. The old has to pass away to allow the new to spring forth like a gushing fountain of life. The old sinful heart must leave to make room for the new. A new day must begin with the Holy Spirit as our guide, director, protector, sustainer, maintainer, advocate and motivation. Nothing else is possible but the realization of the complete and living God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

But here is where it gets difficult. I remember in the 70’s when my Uncle had to make a decision about having open heart surgery. I remember his words “I can’t live without it.” Though many years have passed and my thinking about certain things has changed or been changed, I still know deep in the depths of my soul that the only one who can give us this transformation with a new heart is God. But…. We have to be willing to receive it and allow the transformative power of the Holy Spirit to take place.

How does it happen – read the words from Ezekiel “I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statues and be careful to obey my rules.”

Holy God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit come intercede in my everything, my life, my actions, the way I live, the way I walk, in my speech, in my response, in the things I do. Most of all praying for you to give me a new heart, a new spirit that comes only from you. Remove my old self so far from me that I can never find or experience that life again. Renew in my, Holy Spirit all that I need this day, that I may proclaim “it is well with my soul” – In the name of Jesus I pray – Amen