The Covenant, the Heart, and the Power of the Holy Spirit

As the body of Christ, we are called to be different. And the difference isn’t about being perfect or having it all together—it’s about desiring God. That’s what separates the believer from the unbeliever. God is looking for hearts that love Him, not halfway or when it’s convenient, but with everything we’ve got.

God isn’t looking for polished performances or half-hearted moments that we squeeze into the margins of our day. He’s after real love that is wholehearted and enduring. Jesus said it plainly in In Mark 12:30 (NLT): “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” This is so much more than a command—it’s an invitation to a way of life that is rewarding, fulfilling, and abundant. That’s what a living sacrifice looks like. It’s a heart that’s willing to be poured out for Him.

No matter how old we are, we are still God’s children. That truth should humble us continually. It shifts our posture. We like to think we’re self-made or creators of our own success, but the truth is, we produce—only God creates. Everything that exists was created by the Father long before we ever took a breath. As His children, we were always meant to obey someone. And on this earth, we have to choose who that someone will be.

In Exodus 19:5–6 (NLT), God says, “If you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth.” The phrase “my own special treasure” is deeply personal and intimate. Our Heavenly Father was setting the people of Israel apart, not just to follow rules, but to belong to Him. They were a kingdom of priests. A holy nation. Not because they were perfect, but because He chose them.

And right after that, He gave them His commandments. These were not a checklist; it was the way to live in relationship with Him. In Exodus 20:2–3 (NLT), He starts with, “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. You must not have any other god but me.” This is covenant. It’s God saying, “Remember who I am. Remember what I’ve done. Don’t let anything else take my place.” This is unconditional, limitless love poured out upon His people by a Covenant God. He didn’t give them suggestions. He gave them instructions. And He made it clear what obedience looked like. They felt the weight of it, and they understood.

And here’s the powerful thing about covenant—it requires blood. Always has. There could be no sealing of the promise without it. So Moses gathered the people, spoke the Lord’s instructions, and Exodus 24:3 (NLT) tells us that the people answered together, with one heart and one voice: “We will do everything the Lord has commanded.”

Sacrifices were made, and the blood was sprinkled—first on the altar, then on the people themselves. That blood marked the covenant, but it could only cover their sins; it couldn’t wash them clean. It allowed them to stay in fellowship with God, but it didn’t change the heart.

See, in the Old Testament, so much of it was about what you did on the outside. The sacrifices. The ceremonies. The keeping of the law. But in the New Testament, God flips it. Now it’s about what’s happening on the inside. Hebrews 8:7-12 (NLT) says it like this:“7 If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant to replace it. 8 But when God found fault with the people, he said: "The day is coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. 9 This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and led them out of the land of Egypt. They did not remain faithful to my covenant, so I turned my back on them, says the LORD. 10 But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11 And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, 'You should know the LORD.' For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already. 12 And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”

This is where real change happens—not through outward rituals, but through the Spirit of God writing His truth on our hearts. It’s what the Holy Spirit does. He teaches us how to live out what’s written on our hearts. When God says, “Be holy, be righteous,” it’s not something we have to research—it’s something the Holy Spirit helps us recognize deep inside.

And when God forgives us, He wipes the slate clean. People may remind you of your past, but God will never look back. This new life we’ve been given—this new creation—it’s something the world has never seen before. We’re not just better versions of our old selves. We are brand new.2 Corinthians 5:15 (NLT) says it like this: “He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.” Christ endured the weight of sin and death so we wouldn’t have to. When we receive salvation, we’re stepping into the victory of the resurrected Christ. He rose with all power in His hands. Now, we live for Him—the One who gave everything for us. ■

Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

“The Covenant, the Heart, and the Power of the Holy Spirit”, written by Vince Mack. Blessing Beads and More© 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.