True Conviction

​Acts 2:37 ~ “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
 
What brings a person to their knees before the LORD in humble repentance and confession of sin? It is true conviction. A sinner lost or a Christian in sin are both in need of that real sense of the inner turmoil of the heart. A sinner lost must look to the Savior and a Christian in sin must do the same. Sin ignored is not sin removed. Colossians 3:5 instructs, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Oh that we all would have a burning sense of conviction over our sin for the mortification of the flesh and the growth of holiness in our lives.
 
As our text today reveals, it begins by hearing: “Now when they heard this.” Heard what? They heard the preaching of the gospel of Christ by the Apostle Peter (see Acts 2:14-36), culminating in verse 36 with this great crescendo, “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” In essence, the One you crucified is not dead, He is risen and He is established for all eternity as both LORD and Christ. He is the One to whom you will bend your knee—either in humble submission or in forced acknowledgement (see Philippians 2:10). Yet I have seen a trend that indicates mere knowledge of truth is not enough. For an observation of this, consider those who smoke cigarettes. At this point in our medical knowledge, there is enough information available for every individual to know without question that smoking is a dreadful hazard to their health. Yet, with all this advanced knowledge, the behavior continues. Why? Because there must be something more than mere information. Romans 10:17 clearly states, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Hearing must happen, but something else needs to accompany it.
 
Our text today gives us the very condition that must accompany the hearing of God’s word: “they were cut to the heart.” Like a sword plunging into their soul was the word of God into the hearts of those who listened to Peter. Hebrews 4:12-13 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” But where did this conviction come? Who cut them to the heart? There were far more than three thousand who heard Peter that day, but God’s word did not penetrate their hearts and bring them to such an anxious state in the sight of God. What was the difference? We find it in John 16:8, “And when he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” It was the work of the Spirit of Christ that brought the overwhelming sense of guilt and desperate need for mercy upon the hearts of those who were willing to listen.
 
And this true conviction brought about a real longing in their hearts as they cried out, “Brothers, what shall we do?” This is the cry of all who are under the conviction of the Holy Spirit over sin. And the answer is always the same: repent. In Revelation, chapters two and three, when the LORD Jesus confronts the churches with their sins, He calls them to repent. When John the Baptist began his work of ministry it was with a call to repent (see Mark 1:4). It is with a sense of such Divine grief that a person is drawn to repent of sin. 1 Corinthians 7:10 declares, “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” This is no tactical or practical means of overcoming sin through some therapeutic approach, it is the heart-wrenching desire to be rid of sin and found in Christ. It is the work of the Spirit and the gift of God to lead a person to such a state of repentance that they will love righteousness and hate wickedness. There may be necessary steps to be taken afterward, but there must be that initial conviction of sin. And, when such godly grief comes upon the heart and repentance is produced... what a promise that comes: salvation without regret. True liberty and freedom are found when sin is forsaken and Christ is loved.
 
Have you heard the word of God and it has confronted your sin? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of guilt before the LORD Almighty? Then, do as they did in Acts—cry out to God and ask what you must do. Don’t delay! This is no time to ignore it. He will tell you this: “repent.” God delights to show mercy and longs to cover you in His righteousness. Joel 2:13 tells us, “’Rend your hearts and not your garments.’ Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” This is God’s purpose when He gives you true conviction.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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