One of our Church Leaders and myself travelled to another country to collect a pastor to assist us in the work of ministry. We needed his expertise and so went and brought him back to our country, city and Church. As I start the next Daily Note, this experience comes to mind.
Ac 10:5 “Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
1) Backing up slightly. Remember the words above are spoken by an angel from the Lord.
Ac 10:4 The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.”
Cornelius received the favor of God for his spiritual diligence, even though this was before faith in Jesus. Good works do not save a soul, neither does it accumulate any credit for that soul, but in some way, the sincerity of one seeking God earnestly and coupling belief in the true God with works that help those in need (the poor), somehow pleases God. We cannot understand this. It does not build credit for salvation because salvation is by grace alone, but it seems to incline God’s heart towards those who do such things even though they have not met Him personally through Jesus Christ’s Blood sacrifice. Always remember the passage that pulls the rug from under the feet of those thinking they are able to earn God’s favor through what they do! Although the following passage is well known and perhaps lengthy, let’s be reminded that salvation is of grace through faith!
Eph 2:1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Let’s work this passage quickly.
(1) All people born into this world are born with a sinful disposition.
Eph 2:1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.
This is out of our control. We cannot do anything about what Adam did “substitutionally” in the Garden of Eden! David reminds us of our condition before God:
Ps 51:1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
Then he goes on to explain the reason for our condition:
Ps 51:5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
(2) All people are so depraved that they cannot please God in their sinful state:
Eph 2:2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
This is staggering and we are absolutely hopeless to do anything about whom we serve and what we are! What a tragedy man finds himself in.
(3) Some people experience the glorious favor of God:
Eph 2:4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Some might call us judgmental or even pretending to be God, but the reality is, it is God who saves not man. Notice that His great love accesses His rich mercy which gives life to dead souls … all because of grace which leads to salvation. Then consider the glory of what happens … at the moment of salvation, God raises you up with Christ and seats us with Him in the heavenlies. Although this is positional until we access heaven through the veil of death, we shall in practice lavish in the incomparable riches of His grace. We shall then understand the full meaning and impact of grace in our lives. Is He not kind?
(4) Grace explained.
Eph 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Firstly, God’s grace is a gift. That is, it is free. It cannot be purchased, earned or deserved. If you could obtain it in any way other than as a gift it will be achieve the status of grace, and this cannot be! Secondly, God dispenses grace which enables faith. By this we mean that the moment God works the gift of grace in your heart, the Holy Spirit enables you to believe the Gospel about Jesus’ meritorious, redemptive work at Calvary. In the beginning you might not understand everything the Gospel means … but faith is given so that you accept it and believe it! This includes giving God all the credit for your salvation which means admitting that you were totally silent and inactive in salvation until grace was dispensed and faith enabled!
(5) Now we come to the explanation of how we arrived here:
Ac 10:4 The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.”
Cornelius was unable to work his way into God’s heart for salvation though God seems to have favored him! Why? Look at this:
Eph 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Firstly, good works don’t save, they prove salvation! Secondly, if we are God’s workmanship created in Jesus for good works which He prepared in advance for us to do, salvation must be based upon election or God choosing us.
Eph 1:4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ.
This means that God’s grace is specific. Not works but grace!
Praise You Lord for grace. Amen.