God has always wanted a people all His own. But God is not only Spirit, but Love. Love must have response if fellowship is to result. Man could not love God without a deep inner change, a radical operation upon his heart. By changing man’s heart toward himself, God has now made the possession of His people a reality. It is now possible for them to respond in the language He knows best: spontaneous self-giving love.  

And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God (Ezekiel 11:19,20). 

Covenant loyalty to God and His people is only possible from a re-created heart.