What Stephen puts forth during his sermon in Acts 7 becomes the fundamental difference between all people who have ever lived: The heart’s response to Christ and His Word. Instead of bringing their wills under the authoritative revelation from Christ, some put forth an enthusiastic, but feigned obedience and embracing of the Word that is only in profession and not in practice. Others have remained openly indifferent to the Word, seeing no problem with a regular intake of truth, yet having no change in heart and practice. James actually calls this person a deceived hearer. Lastly, there are others, who, when their hearts are exposed by the word, become angry at the messenger and ultimately at God for having such a ridiculous standard. These folks love a self-righteous view of themselves and hate the idea of having to self-indict in order to trust in man’s only hope—Jesus Christ. This is the inevitable end of those who remain stiff-necked and hard-hearted towards the Word, as we see in the response to Stephen’s preaching in vv.54-59.
What’s your response when the Word exposes your heart?
