Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

We made it up to the mountain today. Becki came along…with the dogs…Tazzy and Smokey. I was able to grab a couple runs before having the dogs join me for the run down to Government Camp. Becki ran the truck down the hill to meet us. Fun time.

By standards of Jewish tradition, Cornelius was an unclean outsider. Even Peter, the great spokesperson for the early Church, had to be given some strong influence to help change his prejudiced traditional racist thinking. God, of course, is not bound by standards and traditions generated and imposed by men (religion). In fact, the clear divine motive embedded in the Gospel was that ALL may be saved—not just Jews. This was clearly a pill hard for Peter to swallow. (Hey, Peter, remember what you were inspired to say to the Sanhedrin back in Acts 4:12?) An overview of this account indicates that Cornelius needed Peter, and Peter needed Cornelius. Both were men of faith, but both were handicapped by limited revelation.

The Sovereign Lord who sees and monitors everyone everywhere all the time saw in Cornelius a set of godly qualities that warranted His special attention and revelation. In his own way, he showed evidence of a HEART AFTER GOD. I want to take time to note those qualities. I have five to mention.

1. DEVOUT. He was dedicated to the level of revelation of truth that he had. He was committed to following a life style that he believed was right. He refused to be a victim of social pressure. It was not popular for a Roman centurion to be a devout follower of the God of Israel.


2. GOD-FEARING. He truly believed that God meant what He said. Cornelius feared living in any way contrary to pleasing this Sovereign God. And that’s a healthy form of fear.


3. GENEROUS GIVING. We can presume that Cornelius tithed (contributed 10% of his income). He was clearly a giver of offerings beyond that. He had a sincere care for needy people and desired to do what he could to help them. There was an appropriate blending of his faith with his finances.


4. REGULAR PRAYING. He regularly sought God in prayer. Very likely he used some form of prayer list. However he transacted it, prayer was an essential and normal component of his faith.


5. EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP. I have high regard for Cornelius. His faith was not isolated to himself alone. Somehow he was able to effectively role-model, communicate, and replicate his faith in his family. The description says, “He and all his family…”

There is no evidence that Cornelius was receiving special angelic visitations on a regular basis, but by being faithful in these routine qualities of godliness, he was ready at the right time to receive expanded special revelation. It was all part of the wonderful unfolding plan of God for his life.

I think it would be a good idea for us all to embrace these same qualities? If so, we can be assured of fitting in with God’s plans and being a recipient of His blessings and ongoing revelation. What an adventure!