WHAT WE DO MATTERS
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household... ACTS 10:1-4 NKJ
ACTS 10:1-4 NKJ There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?”
So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.
It is very interesting what God emphasizes about this man Cornelius. He was a Roman centurion, a part of the Italian regiment. So, he was Italian, not Jewish. He was devout, a believer in God whose actions were governed by his beliefs. He had major respect for God, as did his entire household. It was evident that he not only led Roman soldiers, but he led his family also.
He was a generous giver. Alms were gifts of charity. And he prayed on a very regular basis.
When the angel came into his room, he did not talk about his rank as a soldier or his being Italian. What the angel referenced was that Cornelius' giving and prayer had come up before God. This man is not a believer in Jesus yet. But he had the character and life before God that God used to open the door of faith to the non-Jewish people, the Gentiles.
APPLICATION
If we are not mindful, we can assume that what we do here on earth doesn't really matter. Yet we see with this soldier that his leadership of his family, his gifts of charity, and his prayers were noted by God.
This lets me know that how we live here matters on the other side in heaven. It challenges me to live a life of commitment to God, of giving, of prayer. Since what we do does matter, I want to be even more intentional in making sure God is pleased with how I live. If a Roman soldier can do this, then I certainly can as well.
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank You that You see all, and nothing escapes You. May I live a life that pleases You and brings honor to Your Kingdom. Thank You that there are no insignificant people in Your sight and that what we do here on earth matters.