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“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.” Acts 10:1-2
This is one of my favorite accounts in the scripture because Cornelius and his family were the first gentiles (non-Jewish people) to receive the new birth. This was groundbreaking and if God hadn’t initiated it, the disciples probably would have never had the idea on their own. Even when Peter came to Cornelius’ house, he told him how the Jewish people were not to associate with the gentiles. Peter even argued with God when God told him not to call unclean what God had cleansed.
Now, I want to take a couple minutes and look at what we know about Cornelius. Chapter 10 in the book of Acts is the first time we ever hear anything about him and the last for that matter. However, it is very significant. In verse one and two we are introduced to Cornelius and get a brief explanation of who he was. He was a centurion in the Roman military, Italian, devout (religious), feared God along with his household, gave generously to people and prayed to God a lot. In verse 30 it says he even fasted. Wow! He was very spiritual! So why did Peter have to go preach the gospel to him? He was already doing things that Christians are supposed to be doing. He even talked to God, and we know God heard him because the angel told him that his prayers and alms had come before God. This is amazing! Then on top of everything, God sends an angel to him. What is the deal? Why is this gentile man so precious to God?
So the points is, even though Cornelius was a very good, God fearing person, he still needed to believe in Jesus and receive remission of sins through repentance. It didn’t matter how good he was and how much he talked to God, he still wasn’t part of the kingdom of heaven until he believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. Cornelius had to make the choice of salvation through Christ Jesus. He had to come to the point that he realized he couldn’t get to God based on his “good works.” I also want to point out, once again, the faithfulness of God. He is so good! He hears, listens to and even answers prayers of people who aren’t even His children. The really awesome news is that when He sees the heart of someone who truly wants to know Him and follow His ways, we can be sure He will get the message through to them. You can count on that!
Once again, I want to encourage you today to examine your heart. Ask yourself if you truly remember a time when you invited Jesus into your heart to be Lord of your life. Don’t depend on your good works to get you there, submit your life to Him and His Kingdom and enter in through His one way, Jesus? The only way! Why not make today the day? Ask the Lord to forgive you for your sin and invite Him into your heart and life and ask Him to be Lord of your life! I will let you know up front, His answer will be yes!! He is waiting to come in right now! Invite Him in today by praying a prayer like this:
God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior. I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me. Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today. I know Your Son, Jesus died for me. I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward. I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in the blood of Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 10:1-8
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,
2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.
3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.
5 Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.
6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.”
7 And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually.
8 So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
The Daily Dose 