36:26,27
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you”. Heart, in the Bible, includes our mind and our will as well as our emotions. The spirit is the driving force. We need to be born again. Merely being forgiven and given a second chance is no good, for we would simply end up in the same mess as before. We need a fundamental change within, and that is what the gospel promises. God will put “His Spirit” in us. And the Holy Spirit will move us to follow God’s decrees. Any “theology” (demonology would be a more accurate term) that teaches that we should follow ways that are contrary to God’s ways is evil nonsense. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is a life that obeys God.
36:28,29
“You will be my people, and I will be your God”. This is the oft repeated refrain from the Old Testament and expresses the goal of God’s plans. This is how we are meant to live. We live trusting God, following His ways, and we are looked after and developed by the Lord.
“I will save you from all your uncleanness”. Throughout the Bible there is a clear recognition by God of our true state, of our sinfulness. God both saves us despite our sinfulness, and He deals with the problem of our sinfulness. Any notions that neglect or underplay the true nature of man and sin is utterly unbiblical, and does not appreciate the true glory of the gospel.
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