by Curtis Lanclos
Acts 2:37 (NKJV)
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Acts 7:54 (NKJV)
54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him [Stephen] with their teeth.
Near the end of His earthly ministry, the Lord Jesus Christ said that He would send the Helper, the Holy Spirit, and that He would convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:7-11). This was fulfilled after His death, burial and resurrection on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2); the Holy Spirit was sent to empower believers to preach the Gospel message on the Day of Pentecost (in Acts chapter 2).
Ever since that time, the Holy Spirit has been doing His job whenever anyone is faithful to preach the Gospel. Whenever someone hears the message, they are "cut to the heart." In the book of Acts we see two different reactions to this conviction which is brought by the Spirit of Truth. These two responses are the same ones given by people who have heard the Gospel ever since:
A Positive Response: Asking "What shall we do?" (Acts 2:37)
A Negative Response: Gnashing of teeth (Acts 7:54)
Interestingly, the latter response (rejection) was given by religious leaders from the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Acts 6:8). They actually appeared to be anything but "freed"; they were quite bound by religious tradition. Stephen's message "cut them to the heart" when they heard it, and their response was one of anger (gnashing of teeth). In fact, it made them so angry they made him the very first martyr of the church when they stoned him to death.
In stark contrast, although Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost also "cut to the heart" all of those who heard it, their response was one of genuine repentance and submission to the Gospel (Acts 2:37). In their case, faith came by hearing the message (Romans 10:17). They all became children of God by confessing Jesus Christ as their Lord with their mouths, and believing in their hearts that God had raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9).
The message is clear. The Gospel must be proclaimed, so that people will HEAR it; and all who HEAR it have a choice. They may either accept it or reject it. In Matthew 10:34-38, the Lord Jesus said that He didn't come to bring peace on earth; but rather a sword. That sword will always "cut to the heart". The corresponding response is up to the hearer. In many cases, those who hear and receive the Gospel will have those in their own families who will become their enemies because they hear and choose to reject.
That being said, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44); ESPECIALLY if they are your family.