Daily Devotional for Monday, January 30th

Cornelius, Religious Sinner

The Gospel first came to the House of Israel, God’s chosen people. Until this time, there had not been recorded evidence that the Gospel had come to the Gentiles. Cornelius was a Gentile man of authority who commanded respect from his fellow man. He seems to have known the Scripture and had a desire to know God. Cornelius had religion but had yet to know God personally through salvation. Nicodemus was a man in like fashion, having a devout religion yet not having faith in Christ.

Many still today are lost and apart from Christ yet trust in their religious deeds in hopes of salvation. There may be many Missionary Baptist Church members who are loved and respected in their communities yet have not been born again by the Spirit of God. Religious piety may cause a person to think they know God, but all the good deeds one can muster will never rescue their soul from sin.

Jesus told Nicodemus, a good religious man, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:5-7).

Just A Thought. Religious fervor will not save anyone. We are saved by Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone.

Steven Ridings