In our lives there are people who are are mentors or people who we look up to. People who have lived a life that we want to live up to. Examples in the Bible of an individual that walks by faith and lives what he believes.
In Acts 10 there is a certain man. A man that stands out in his class of people. Cornelius was an officer of the army of considerable rank and figure, a centurion. This is important because this man was a Gentile. At that time to share the true Gospel with anyone else but a Jew was unheard of. This was a mystery and surprise to the apostles.
Acts 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band…
I love that he was of the band called The Italian Band. Part of my family are Italian. I am so thankful that God allowed the Gospel to be preached to Cornelius and those like me.
He was a devout man. He had very good character. Not an idolater, not a worshipper of false gods or images. Nor did he allow himself in any of those immoralities to which the greater part of the gentile world was given up to. He made a decision to serve God. He surrender to God’s will & ways. His mind, will, actions, & emotions surrendered and was devoted to God.
He feared God. Not fearful, but revered God. Looks to Him & His sovereignty, surrenders to His ways in awe. Received instructions willingly, faithfully and his priority is to have a relationship with God. Not only did he fear God but brought his household in to that same relationship. His life touched all those that were around him. He made a difference in their lives because of the way he lived his.
Proverbs 1:7 (AMP)
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence];
But arrogant [a]fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.
He was a very charitable man, He Gave Much… Matt. 6:1-3 Do unto God, 2 Cor. 9:6 Sow bountifully, 2 Cor 9:7 be a cheerful giver.
Matthew Henry: Wherever the fear of God rules in the hear, it will appear both in the works of charity and of piety, and neither will excuse us from the other.
He was much in Prayer. Why pray – The sovereignty of God – He is supreme. 2 Pet 3:9 He is not slack, He is long-suffering, & God changes not. God’s character should cause us to pray. He is compassionate, long-suffering, loving, merciful, good, tender, gracious are just a few of God’s characters that causes us to pray and believe Him as Cornelius did.
Wherever the fear of God rules in the heart, charity, prayer, etc… will prevail in a persons life as it did in Cornelius. His prayers and alms went up to God as a memorial to him.
1 Peter 2:12(AMP)
Keep your behavior excellent among the [unsaved] Gentiles [conduct yourself honorably, with graciousness and integrity], so that for whatever reason they may slander you as evildoers, yet by observing your good deeds they may [instead come to] glorify God in the day of visitation [when He looks upon them with mercy].
He had a good reputation. It’s not easy to get a good reputation & to keep it. There is always someone who doesn’t like what you do & who you are. HCSB – He had a good reputation with the whole Jewish nation. They would vouch for him.
I love the Newsboys song, Cornelius: (this is pieces of the song)
“Cornelius”
And every generation’s got
The fearless few who can’t be bought
They don’t take polls or look around
They act on truth, and then they stand their ground
Cornelius
Core-strong like a centurion
I wanna be Cornelius
Core-strong like a centurion
I wanna be Cornelius
His kneel is real
His kneel is real
My prayer is that we all would walk out our lives with the same dedication to God as Cornelius. That we would be real in a world that thrives on being fake. They do everything to cover up who they really are. Let’s be people of prayer, of good character, fear God, and walk in the truth God has revealed to us.