Is Good Good Enough?

There are a lot of good people in the world. They are helpful and kind to those around them. They are generous. They are honest. They are law abiding citizens. Such is good. It is how we should be. However, is that enough?

In Acts we read of a man who was described as being very good.
“(1) At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, (2) a devout man who FEARED GOD with all his household, GAVE ALMS GENEROUSLY to the people, and PRAYED CONTINUALLY to God.” ( Acts 10:1-2 ESV)

Doesn’t that sound like the description of one who would be a good neighbor and an asset to any community? We know Cornelius believed in God because the text tells us he feared Him. We know he was worshipful because he prayed to God continually. This Gentile was also a philanthropist; giving generously to those who were in need. However, there was more he needed to recognize than his own goodness. In the midst of what appears to be his earnest seeking of God, it was revealed to Cornelius that an important element of his focus was missing.

As Peter later told of his encounter with Cornelius, we find that in spite of his goodness he was still unsaved. How do we know that? Because he related how he was told by the angel that Peter would declare to him a message by which he would be saved. ( Acts 11:14) He was still in need of understanding the source of salvation.

Talking with Cornelius about JESUS, Peter stated…
“To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes IN HIM RECEIVES FORGIVENESS OF SINS THROUGH HIS NAME.” ( Acts 10:43 ESV)

Cornelius and his household believed the message and then we read…
“And he [Peter] commanded them to be BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. Then they asked him to remain for some days.” ( Acts 10:48 ESV)

Though Cornelius was a very good man, that was not good enough. Even though Cornelius believed in God, that was not sufficient. The missing link between Him and God was JESUS. Cornelius needed to come to know JESUS as the source of salvation and be baptized in the Name of JESUS to receive the forgiveness of his sins. This is still true today. ( Acts 4:12; John 14:6; Mark 16:16)

We might wonder why the angel ( Acts 10:3-6, 30-33; 11:13-14) did not tell Cornelius what he needed to do, but rather had him send for Peter. It appears that was and still is the commission God has given to His people. ( Matthew 28:19-20) God has given us the message of salvation in JESUS CHRIST that is to be shared. JESUS CHRIST must be acknowledged as the significant link between us and God. JESUS CHRIST is the only mediator between man and God. ( 1 Timothy 2:5) There is no amount of goodness that can take the place of the means JESUS CHRIST has provided for the salvation of our soul. It is to Him we must all come and in Him we must all remain. May we never lose sight of this fact as we draw the attention of others to JESUS.

Have a great day ACKNOWLEDGING THE GOOD WE RECEIVE BECAUSE OF JESUS!
Carl

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