God reveals our need for salvation through the conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit, leading us to recognize our spiritual condition.
Our awareness of our sinful state and our need for salvation is a gracious work of the Holy Spirit. The sermon illustrates that the Israelites only understood their dire situation after they were bitten by poisonous serpents. Similarly, the Holy Spirit exposes our hearts to the reality of sin, awakening in us a recognition of our desperate need for a Savior. Acts 2 exemplifies this when Peter's sermon cuts the hearts of his listeners, showing them their sinfulness and prompting them to seek God's mercy. Thus, the Spirit's work is essential for bringing us to the point of recognizing and running to Christ for help.
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