Jeremiah II
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Jeremiah 31:33 ESV)
Hearts
We Christians often sound like we think it is our obedience, actions, and law-keeping that makes us God’s people. But really, that is putting the cart ahead of the horse.
God says here that He (the Holy Spirit, particularly) alters our hearts first. Our inner being. Our foundational existence. Who we ARE… not merely what we DO. Our hearts, uniquely CHRISTIAN’S hearts, are changed so that we know God. We know Him through His Law (His Word). We understand His Will through His Law (His Word). We relate to Him through His Law (His Word).
Other things flow from that. Our willingness to obey, and our ability to obey, for instance… but it starts with new hearts.
Other things flow from that. His peace, His joy, His hope, for instance… but it starts with new hearts.
Other things flow from that. Love, for instance… but it starts with new hearts.
We are God’s people because He changes our hearts… He does not change our hearts because we are God’s people.