Make sure
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 Scripture. Cornelius and his family were the first Gentiles (non-Jewish people) to receive the new birth. This moment was groundbreaking—and if God hadn’t initiated it, the disciples likely would’ve never taken that step on their own. Even when Peter arrived at Cornelius’ house, he admitted that, by Jewish law, he wasn’t supposed to associate with Gentiles. He had even argued with God when God told him not to call unclean what He had cleansed.
Now, let’s pause and consider what we know about Cornelius. Acts 10 is both the first and last time we hear about him in the Bible, but his story is amazingly significant. In verses 1–2, we read that he was a Roman centurion in the Italian Regiment, devout, God-fearing (along with his household), generous in giving to the poor, and faithful in prayer. Later in verse 30, we find out he even fasted. He already sounds more spiritually disciplined than many who claim to follow Jesus today.
So why did Peter need to preach the gospel to him? Cornelius was already doing many things Christians are supposed to do. He talked to God, and God listened. Even an angel even appeared to him! Yet with all of this, Cornelius still needed salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. He needed to receive forgiveness of sins and be born again. It wasn’t enough to be good or religious. He had to put his trust in the finished work of Jesus, not in his own efforts.
The encouraging truth here is that God sees the hearts of those who are genuinely seeking Him. Cornelius wasn’t yet part of God’s family, but God made sure the gospel got to him. That’s how faithful and loving our God is. If someone is truly longing to know Him, He will always make a way. You can count on that!
Here’s how you can begin to apply this principle in your life today:
- Examine your foundation. Ask yourself if you are trusting in your own goodness or if you’ve truly surrendered your life to Jesus.
- Make sure. Don’t leave your eternity to chance. Salvation isn’t about church attendance, good deeds, or spiritual habits. It’s about knowing Jesus personally as Lord and Savior.
- Start today. If you’ve never invited Jesus into your life, or if you’re unsure, stop and talk to Him now. The invitation is open.
Today I want to encourage you to remember that God isn’t looking for perfection, He’s looking for surrender. Cornelius was devout, but what changed his life forever was saying yes to Jesus. If you’ve said yes today, heaven is celebrating! If you’ve already made that decision, let this be a reminder to never base your confidence in your performance, but in the One who saved you by grace.
If you’ve never received salvation through the blood and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, pray this prayer with a sincere heart:
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 & 34-43
1 In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment.
2 He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God.
3 One afternoon about three o’clock, he had a vision in which he saw an angel of God coming toward him. “Cornelius!” the angel said.
4 Cornelius stared at him in terror. “What is it, sir?” he asked the angel.
And the angel replied, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering!
5 Now send some men to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter.
6 He is staying with Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.”
7 As soon as the angel was gone, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, one of his personal attendants.
8 He told them what had happened and sent them off to Joppa.
34 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism.
35 In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.
36 This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
37 You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism.
38 And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
39“And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a cross,
40 but God raised him to life on the third day. Then God allowed him to appear,
41 not to the general public, but to us whom God had chosen in advance to be his witnesses. We were those who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
42 And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead.
43 He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”
44 Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message.
45 The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too.
46 For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God. Then Peter asked,
47 “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?”
48 So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days.
Journal:
- Take a few quiet moments today and write down your answer to this question: “Do I know for sure that I’ve received Jesus as Lord of my life?
- If yes, what fruit in my life shows that decision?”
- Let the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts and let today be a day of certainty and peace.
The Daily Dose 