"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Acts 2:37-38
I like this verse because the idea of being "pricked in their heart" is basically realizing that we did something wrong, or maybe failed to do something right... and here, they are feeling not just guilt or remorse, but they take it beyond that to desiring to do something *about* it, and determining that they will change. This same feeling is discussed in Jarom 1:12: "they did prick their hearts with the word, continually stirring them up unto repentance." The feeling and the action go together, otherwise we're just wallowing.
We don't have to wallow in sin, or feel bad every day because of who we are or what we've done. God offers us newness of life and freedom from that dark and draining despair. Let's listen to God as in these verses he helps us know what to do when we feel like that.
Today, let's *do* something about those pricks in our hearts where we realize that we need to be better than we are. Let's hold to God, and his word, and repent. If we haven't been baptized yet, then let's do that, in Christ's name, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost that can guide us thereafter. And if we have been baptized, then let's keep those covenants that we made with God, and always remember him. Let's remember what to do, and turn to God.
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Acts 2:37-38
I like this verse because the idea of being "pricked in their heart" is basically realizing that we did something wrong, or maybe failed to do something right... and here, they are feeling not just guilt or remorse, but they take it beyond that to desiring to do something *about* it, and determining that they will change. This same feeling is discussed in Jarom 1:12: "they did prick their hearts with the word, continually stirring them up unto repentance." The feeling and the action go together, otherwise we're just wallowing.
We don't have to wallow in sin, or feel bad every day because of who we are or what we've done. God offers us newness of life and freedom from that dark and draining despair. Let's listen to God as in these verses he helps us know what to do when we feel like that.
Today, let's *do* something about those pricks in our hearts where we realize that we need to be better than we are. Let's hold to God, and his word, and repent. If we haven't been baptized yet, then let's do that, in Christ's name, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost that can guide us thereafter. And if we have been baptized, then let's keep those covenants that we made with God, and always remember him. Let's remember what to do, and turn to God.
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