by David Scott Robertson
(Acts 10:1 NIV) "At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.
(Acts 10:2 NIV) He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
(Acts 10:3 NIV) One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!"
(Acts 10:4 NIV) Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God."
In the passage above the Bible introduces us to a good man - Cornelius.
The scriptures reveal that Cornelius was devout, God-fearing, generous man who embraced the ethic of continual prayer.
Sounds like the qualifications for a Sunday School teacher, doesn't it?
The only problem with Cornelius was that he wasn't saved.
His goodness was not good enough.
Cornelius was destined for a devil's hell.
What? Why?
Because people don't go to heaven for being good or hell for being bad.
People go one place or the other based upon their relationship with Jesus Christ.
Have you ever known a mostly good man?
He doesn't drink, smoke, cheat on his taxes or his wife.
He's pro-life, votes in every election, and gives generously to charities.
He has a high moral code, strong personal convictions and ethics,
And enjoys a reputation of being fair and honest.
Yep, he's a mostly good man all right.
That may be good enough to get him elected to the city council,
But it's not good enough to get him into heaven.
(Eph 2:8 NIV) "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
(Eph 2:9 NIV) not by works, so that no one can boast"
As good as Cornelius was, nonetheless he needed a Savior.
And God saw that his heart was tender and open to receive the truth of the gospel.
So God graciously (and supernaturally) arranged for Cornelius to be introduced to Simon Peter, who was willing and able to introduce Cornelius to Christ, the only name under heaven given among men whereby Cornelius could be saved (Acts 4:12).
It's important to note that the angel was not permitted to share the gospel with Cornelius.
Witnessing and testifying of the gospel of saving grace is reserved for the redeemed.
It's a direct order handed down from high command:
(Mat 28:19 NIV) "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
(Mat 28:20 NIV) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Do you know a mostly good man or woman?
If so, begin praying today for the Holy Spirit to tenderize their hearts to be as open to meeting with God as Cornelius was.
And, like Simon Peter, be prepared if necessary to be the faithful witness whom God uses to carry His message of reconciliation and love to that mostly good person.
You, even you, might be the chosen vessel that God selects to partner with the Holy Spirit to help a mostly good person become convinced and convicted of their profoundly sinful condition and learn the eternally important lesson that good is just not good enough.
DSR
1/27/03