“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” – Ezekiel 36:26 (NKJV)
John Newton’s life is one of the clearest examples of God transforming a heart of stone into a heart of flesh.
Newton was born in 1725 in London, England. His mother, a devout Christian, taught him Scripture when he was young, but she died when he was only seven years old. As Newton grew up, he drifted far from faith. By the time he became a sailor, he was known for being wild, rebellious, and cruel.
Eventually, Newton became involved in the Atlantic slave trade. He worked on ships that carried enslaved Africans across the ocean, treating them as cargo rather than human beings. His heart had become cold, hardened by greed and sin. By his own later admission, he was a wretch—selfish, angry, and far from God. But everything began to change in 1748. Newton was aboard a ship during a violent storm off the coast of Ireland. The storm was so fierce that the crew believed the ship would sink. In desperation, Newton cried out to God, asking for mercy. To his surprise, the ship survived. That night marked the beginning of a transformation.
Newton didn’t change all at once. At first, he still worked in the slave trade. But slowly, God began softening his heart. He could no longer ignore the cruelty and evil of slavery. Over time, he left the trade, gave his life entirely to Christ, and began studying the Bible passionately.
Years later, Newton became a pastor. The man who had once mocked God now spent his life preaching the gospel of grace. His heart, once hardened, had been made tender and new.
Out of his deep sense of gratitude, he wrote one of the most famous hymns in history:
“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.”
Newton’s transformation was so complete that he later became an outspoken voice against slavery. His testimony inspired leaders like William Wilberforce in the fight to abolish the slave trade in Britain.
God’s promise to Ezekiel is truly amazing. The Lord offers us a brand-new beginning from the inside out. He takes our stubborn and resistant heart of stone and replaces it with a tender, responsive heart of flesh. This is not a human achievement but a divine act of mercy and grace.
True spiritual renewal begins when we acknowledge our need for the Lord to change us from the inside out. King David modeled this humble posture when he prayed: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.” – Psalm 51:10-12 (NKJV)
When we surrender to this process, life takes on a different appearance. We see with new eyes, love with a new heart, and live with renewed purpose. The old habits, destructive patterns, and self-centered ways no longer define us. Instead, God’s Spirit empowers us to walk in His statutes, reflect His character, and live a life that points others to His grace.
Let this process begin for you today!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come before You today seeking a fresh start and spiritual renewal. I ask You to create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Help me to embrace the new creation You have made me to be in Christ. Transform my mind and heart, and align them with Your will. Teach me to live out the renewal You offer, and guide me in reflecting Your grace and truth in all I do. Thank You for Your promise of transformation and for the new beginning You provide. May my life continually be renewed in Your presence and reflect Your love and righteousness. Amen.
Verses to Meditate On:
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” - Psalm 51:10 (NKJV)
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” - Colossians 3:10 (NKJV)
“And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.” - Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
