SCRIPTURE: Acts 10:1-8
“Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.” (Acts 10:2)
This man was an ethical monotheist, not a Jew: believing in one God and good morals.
This is important; his good religion does not ‘save’ him, but it is valued by God.
His good heart opens him to the Lord, and the Lord works in his life.
Religion does not save us, but good religion points us in a good, a God, direction.
We should not be so hard on those who are religious in a good way.
The Lord values their first steps towards Him, and He reaches out to them.
There are many good religions out there that do not make us right with God, but still have value.
Instead of attacking them as false religions, God wants us to help them take their next steps.
Jesus is the Way, but mistaken religion (even astrology, Matthew 2:1-2) can lead people to Him.
They have not found the way, but they are on the way!
God still sends messengers (what ‘angel’ literally means) to encourage them and point them to Jesus.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I can think of many good religious people (Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists) who do not know You. Instead of attacking them and their religion, may I encourage them and point them to You.
Observation/Application
Cornelius was an man of integrity. He lived hat he believed – with his family and beyond. His actions gave proof of his belief – leadership in the family, gifts to the needy, worship at the proper times. And he was not silent about his belief since he explained all what had happened to his servants and a soldier. He trusted them with the message to do his bidding.
God uses people His wonders to perform from all corners of the world.
Am I open to His leading? Am I open to sharing what He has done for me? He has gifted me with His gifts and I must share those gifts with others.
As Cornelius was open to His leading by hearing His voice, I must do the same – sharing the Light of the world.
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.