Necessary but not sufficient

 

25 February 2022

By Rev Kenneth Mtata 

Today's readings 

Psalm 99; 

Deuteronomy 9:6-14; 

Acts 10:1-8

Verse of the day 

"He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly" (Acts 10:2).

Cornelius was a senior soldier who led a unit of hundred Roman soldiers who were either stationed or who had just been posted at Caesarea to suppress possible revolts. Whatever the reason,  Cornelius was a devout man who feared God. He was prayerful and used to give generously to those in need. Cornelius exhibits or manifests the qualities of an upright follower of the Jewish religion even though he is gentile.

When one reads this they wonder why Cornelius still needs Peter to preach to him  if he lives such an upright life. Is his faith not sufficient since he regularly prays as well as takes care of the needy? 

Yes God has recognised his gifts to the poor and his prayers. But he still needs to hear about Jesus and be filled with the Holy Spirit, the true source of life before God  His prayerful and generous lifestyle is necessary but insufficient for his salvation. He is like Ethiopian eunuch who was reading the bible on his way from Jerusalem and still need to hear about Jesus from Philip in Acts 8.

Unfortunately,  there are Christians who neither pray nor give generously and yet they have believed in Jesus! If we do not create a habit of prayer and care for God's people, we are in a state of weakness in comparison to Cornelius. Of course, we don't earn God's favour when we are prayerful and generous. But these acts do not go unnoticed by God. "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them" (Hebrews 6:10). Even on the judgement day, Jesus will say, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40). So devotion and generosity will be recognised by God. Yet, what must be recognised first is us not only what we do. Many doers of good things will be rejected by God not because of their good works but because they don't have a living relationship with him and His Spirit the source and target of their devotion and kindness is themselves. Their "righteous acts are like filthy rags" says Isaiah (64:6). Jesus says of these "Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’" 

(Matthew 7:21-23). The problem is not what they do, but who they are. While Cornelius is a devout and generous person, his associations with the oppressive Roman presence in Syria Palestina or Judea, is something he must think of in light of the kingdom of God brought about by Jesus Christ. His doings cannot absolve his being. 

All good acts of charity, kindness, devotion, prayer and fasting are necessary but insufficient for our salvation. Salvation is a deep entry into the kingdom of righteousness and justice. It is about who we are and not only  what we do. Indeed what do as God’s peoplebsuch as devotional life and generosity are necessary but not adequate for our salvation.

A focus on on what people must do may make it difficult to preach the gospel to people who do good works. They don't see why they need Jesus. Yes, with all his devotion and charity,  Cornelius needed Peter to bring him the good news of the kingdom.  This is what Paul means by saying, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Let's go out today and worship God with all our hearts and strength and serve our neighbours in celebrating what God has done for us in making us God's children. Our relationship with God through Jesus Christ does not stop devotion and charity; it gives them quality and fullness of meaning. 

Prayer

Gracious God, we thank you for your salvation which our devotion and charity could not purchase for us. You are still gracious enough to see and reward our good works, yet your salvation is a free gift to us. Go ahead of us today so that our works glorify you. In Jesus Christ we pray. 

SAY AMEN IF YOU AGREE!