Acts 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
These passages of scripture recount for us some of the ways and means whereby the followers of Christ were enabled to carry the gospel to the entire, then-known world. The disciples made themselves readily available for service, and the Lord put them in contact with those who would be recipients of His grace, mercy and truth. Cornelius was obviously living according to the knowledge of God that he had, but it was an imperfect knowledge, even though God accepted his sincerity and honest- heartedness. God could have left Cornelius as he was in his honesty, but sincerity alone, as it pertains to a relationship with God stands insufficient to a having a balanced understanding of God's character, a necessary feature of our walk with Him.
What is worthy of note is that the very same angel that was sent to Cornelius could have told him exactly what he needed to know and do, but this work was already ordained of God to be fulfilled by those in gospel shoes. Hence the reason why the angel instructed both Peter and Cornelius to meet together, but he himself said nothing of what Cornelius needed to do.
This experience of Peter and Cornelius has very great implications for us living in the 21st century, for all around us there are those who like Cornelius are living up to all the scriptural knowledge they have, but in many cases it is an imperfect knowledge. Many sincere people, including the overwhelming majority of Christians, have been fed with an unbalanced interpretation of the gospel, and therefore like Cornelius, they do much good and charitable work and they give much alms in sincerity of heart, not knowing that there is more to be known and understood about the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
For instance, many people have been erroneously taught by their mentors, that obedience to the ten commandments is no longer necessary, and that a belief in, and acceptance of Christ's sacrifice for us, coupled together with love to God and one's fellowman is all that is now required. And as a direct result, this unbalanced view has thrown open wide, the floodgates of false worship, even Sunday-sacredness, a doctrine that has no scriptural foundation whatsoever. That's why the same angel that connected Peter and Cornelius so that a proper knowledge of God might be disbursed, is bidding those in modern gospel shoes to make contact with those who are in need of a fuller understanding of the requirements of God.
On the job, at school, at the grocery, on the web, and in our very neighborhoods, there are many who like Cornelius, are serving God with an imperfect knowledge, and therefore God is now in the process of lighting the entire globe with His glory, by sending those with the true gospel to those who are sincere in heart, to those who shall be heirs of salvation. Let's read:
Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Thus it behooves every true-hearted soldier of the cross, to whom God has granted a good understanding of His truths, to make full use of the remaining moments of time, not in being consumed with worldly pursuits and endeavors, but rather in the fulfillment of the gospel commission in our neck of the woods, and also globally, by reaching out to those we interact with on a day to day basis. Let us not waste precious time on frivolities and gossip, or other issues which have no bearing on a person's eternal destiny, but let us pray that the God of heaven will put us in contact with those who are hungering and thirsting for the bread of life.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture reminding us that the hour of earth's probation is swiftly drawing to a close, and thus the work that has so long been neglected should be engaged with intensity and earnestness without delay. Let's read:
Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
May the gospel in modern shoes be our experience today, as we endeavor to bring the truths of God's word that pertain specifically to our generation, to those who are in dire need and know it not. God will bless our efforts for He is faithful to all his promises, and every command He gives us, comes fully backed by His omnipotent power. "Good night" and God bless!