We’re in our final week of our 10-week series in the book of Acts, and this week we come to the story of Cornelius the Centurion, and Peter’s vision of the clean and unclean animals. We’re told that Cornelius was a good man:
He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. Acts 10:2
We might see this as a strong contrast to Saul’s character which we saw last week: Saul was actively persecuting the Church- the body of Jesus.But even though Cornelius was a devout man, he still needed to repent. He still had to accept the mercy of God. Without this sacrifice of Jesus, he’s lost. Jesus was cursed to hang on a tree for him. If he doesn’t accept this and receive the benefits of this sacrifice, Cornelius is as lost as anyone else.
It’s not that Cornelius was so good that he was just on the cusp of getting into the kingdom. No, whether it’s Paul, who was as far away as you could get—or Cornelius, seemingly so close to the kingdom, everyone is in the same boat.We need to repent: turn from our old life, and begin the new life in Jesus.
So, just as we began our walk with God by his gift alone, we also continue to walk in him, by his mercy: looking to him in repentance and thankfulness every day.
God bless,
Rene