Cut to the Heart

Of the many world religions, only Christianity teaches that repentance removes guilt. Other religions either deny sinful human nature—claim people are basically good—or they teach that people can pay the penalty for sin with a sacrifice or with good deeds.

But Christianity teaches that people can do nothing by themselves to save themselves from sin. Our only hope is to repent from sin (change our direction) and to receive Jesus Christ. When we repent, we can trust that His death paid—and still pays—the penalty for sin because He shed His blood on the cross. His sacrifice covers any penalty we might incur.

On Pentecost, the day the Christian church came into being, Peter preached a sermon centered on Jesus. Then he confronted people with their sin, and the people were cut to the heart. They said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do? (Acts 2:37b NKJV)

Peter replied, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. . . . (v. 38b)

Originally published March 16, 1990.