Reflect on the book of Ezekiel Chapter 36
Introduction and the central verse
The speaker contemplates God’s promise in Ezekiel (chapter 36:24-27) where the Lord says: “I will bring you… and sprinkle clean water on you… and give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.” This promise is the nucleus of the lecture and its spiritual pivot.
The main idea
The main idea is that God grants man a radical internal transformation — a new heart and a new spirit — not merely external improvements or formal practices. True change is a divine gift that begins with cleansing from defilements and is completed by placing God’s Spirit within.
The Coptic Orthodox spiritual dimension
From a Coptic Orthodox faith perspective, renewal is a grace from the Holy Spirit: true repentance that washes sins, the presence of the Holy Spirit gives the power to keep the commandments and walk in the Lord’s way, and the spiritual body is replaced with a heart of flesh instead of a heart of stone. Intercession, prayer, confession, and obedience to commandments are means in which man cooperates with God’s grace.
A call to personal spiritual work
The lecture calls the believer to “wrestle with God” — that is, to strive in prayer, confession, and dependence on God until He grants the new heart and spirit. External change or dividing time between God and the world is not enough; what is required is “behold, all things have become new.”
A warning against a twofold heart
The speaker warns against keeping two hearts (old and new); Christ does not accept partnership between light and darkness. Renewal means the fusion of thought, will, and behavior all with God’s will without pretense.
God’s assurance and His means
The Lord does not first ask us to change ourselves and then give; rather He promised the gift: “I will give you a new heart.” The key factor is reliance on God’s promise and perseverance in spiritual appointments until the grace is realized.
Practical application for the new year
As a practical call for a new spiritual year: confession, prayer, engagement in remembrance and meditation, and adherence to the Church and sacraments. To rid ourselves of “last year’s heart” and ask the Lord that the old die in us and that He give us a new heart and spirit.
Concluding prayerful note
The lecture ends with a prayer and plea that the Lord grant us a new heart and spirit, that He make us steadfast like mountains unshaken before the trials of the devil, and that He bless our spiritual journey and guide us by His power.
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