“But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: ‘Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.’ 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?’” (Acts 2:37)
The message Peter preached at Pentecost was one which cut many of his listeners to the heart. They knew about Jesus. They knew about their own complicity in His crucifixion even as Peter accused them. When they heard that He had risen from the dead they grew fearful because such a mighty act was possible only by the power of Almighty God. And so they were convicted and guilty as charged. They knew they merited God’s just punishment.
Peter brought them the message of grace through faith as the only way to escape God’s just wrath. That same message is given to all today but unfortunately many do not see their guilt because they do not see their sin. At times even those who admit to sin do not see how it affects others or even God. The vast majority of people believe in self-determination, preferring to hold on to the concept of individual autonomy. They will not allow Almighty God any input in their lives as each of them is his or her own god. Consequently they are dead in their sins. May the Lord raise us up to preach the truth to such so they may be raised from the dead.