Who is Cornelius?
Cornelius was a Centurion who lived in Ceasarea. He was respected amongst the Jews but was still considered to be a Gentile. He prayed unto God, fasted, gave to the poor, and gave offerings. Sounds like things every Christian should do.
Acts 10:22
And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
Cornelius means "of a horn" according to the Strong's Concordance. Biblically, horn means strength, power, influence, and voice. Joshua 6:4-8.
God used Cornelius's prayers, sacrifices, giving, and fasting to reach gentiles. Cornelius did not conform to the statistics. Cornelius was accepted and respected by God. A transformation was in place for the Jews and Gentiles as Cornelius lifted his voice to pray.
Acts 10:9-15 (KJV)
On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
The term common was used for food that is not kosher like pork and shellfish. Even food that was not properly slaughtered and salted to remove blood.
God decides who's permitted to receive salvation. It's not our place to exclude someone from life in Jesus Christ. When we take on the responsibility to decide who gets in, we're swimming upstream. We're going against God's current.
Acts 10:17
Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
Peter didn't understand at first that his mission was going to break down barriers. All God needs is a servant to says yes. When the Lord assigns a mission to you, lift your voice and say yes to Him. God needs you to submit to the mission. There's more at stake than you know.
Repeat this:
My submission to the mission without remission gives me permission!
Permission for what?
Activate angelic forces
Salvation for your family
Receive increase (naturally and spiritually)
Shatter barriers
Receive answers to your own prayers when you say yes for someone else's benefit
Wisdom
Kingdom building
Peter was apprehensive but he went anyway. Once he saw what God was doing, he understood the importance of adhering to the voice of God.
Acts 10:34-36
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
The Religious Spirit
Operating in a religious spirit goes against God's uncontainable love. We can't put Him in a box to support our comfort level. The way and who He loves does not have to make sense to you. He loves without your permission. To hold someone back from salvation would be a mute version of witchcraft. Trying to control someone's opportunity to be saved is definitely not holy. If Peter continued to think that he was too holy to minister, Cornelius's whole family and many others would not be saved. Ultimately, what should we care about? Is building up the kingdom of God more important than our own perspective and standards? YES!
Prayer for an Open Heart:
Lord, I repent for thinking too highly of myself. If I have blocked someone from encountering your goodness, please forgive me. Please open my heart to see you instead of only rules. I choose to lean on your understanding and not my own. I know that you saved me and I would be lost without you. Lord, thank you for opening my heart to your love. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
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