The idea that God’s Spirit would enter our sinful hearts and lives is not a New Testament concept. Instead it was a concept born in Genesis three and carried through God’s Journey with men starting with Abraham and carried through to our lives today.
It was always God’s intention to restore man’s relationship with Him. We must remember that Israel was selected to be God’s chosen nation. He did not choose them to be a nation of self-absorbed warriors; looking to destroy their enemies and conquer all. Instead, God chose Israel to become a nation of priests; to partner with Him in restoring the personal relationships between God and men.
Sadly, God could not partner with people whose hearts were sinful and hardened like stone. So, God Himself, became flesh, He lived, He loved us, and died for our sin. His sacrifice made it possible for our hardened and sinful hearts to be regenerated into a heart of flesh, so that we could accept Christ’s gift, be one with God’s spirit, and claim our place as God’s adopted children. Romand 8:14-17.
It is only as God’s chosen, that we can claim and enjoy the title of and benefits of being His children. Then, and only then will we be indwelt and led by His Spirit. It is a gift of restoration, renewal, and regeneration that prepares us and equips us to be a part of the nation of priests God envisioned from the beginning.
God Bless You
24 “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25 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. 26 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. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28 Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. 30 I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine. 31 Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. 32 I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign Lord. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, people of Israel!
33 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day I cleanse you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the ruins will be rebuilt. 34 The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through it. 35 They will say, “This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden; the cities that were lying in ruins, desolate and destroyed, are now fortified and inhabited.” 36 Then the nations around you that remain will know that I the Lord have rebuilt what was destroyed and have replanted what was desolate. I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.’
Romans 8
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[f] And by him we cry, “Abba,[g] Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Walking With God 