Daily Devotions
A Good Man Who Was Lost
Reading for April 23rd: 2 Kings 6-8
Weekly reading for April 19-25: Acts 6-10
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Cohort, 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
According to a survey taken by the Barna Group back in 2003, roughly two-thirds of Americans believe they are going to heaven. That same survey revealed that roughly half believed that a person can earn salvation based on good deeds apart from the saving work of Jesus Christ. (http://www.deseretnews.com/article/520033697/Most-believe-in-heaven-and-think-theyll-go-there.html?pg=all).
If this is what you believe, stop and think this through. If it is true that we're saved simply because we are "good," what purpose did the cross serve? Would it make any logical sense for God to make His only Son endure such cruel punishment if it was unnecessary?
Think about Cornelius. He was a good man. He was devout, feared God, helped the poor, and prayed. But he was lost. He had to hear the gospel and respond to the good news of Jesus Christ to be saved.
Don't believe the lies of the devil! All of us have sinned and deserve to die (Rom 3:23; 6:23). Our only hope of salvation is by God's grace through our obedient faith (Eph 2:8-10; Gal 3:26-27). We can't save ourselves. If we could, then Jesus died in vain.
Father, we thank You for providing salvation to us through Your Son. Without Him we would be hopelessly lost!
