If our heart is not changed, following God's rules would be unpleasant and difficult. We would rebel against being told how to live. The Holy Spirit, however, gives us new desires, helping us want to obey God. With a new heart, we find that serving God is our greatest joy. Under God's new covenant, God's Law is inside us. It is no longer an external set of rules and principles. The Holy Spirit reminds us of Christ's words, activates our conscience, influences our motives and desires, and makes us want to obey. Now doing God's will is something we desire in our heart, mind and soul (reference Heb. 8:10-11). |