Cornelius and other good people

“At Caesarea, there was a man named Cornelius ... He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.” Acts 10:1-2

(To read today's Scripture, Acts 10:1-8, click here.)

What a great guy, Cornelius!  Generous, God-fearing, an accomplished leader, great family. If we could choose our next door neighbor, he would be the one!  While we were at it, we might fill out our happy cul-de-sac with Job (“blameless and upright”) and Ahimaaz (“a good man”), and even persuade Joseph (“a good and upright man”) to retire here from Arimathea.

And in doing so, we would have socially engineered “Exhibit A” in a classical debate over human nature, for some hold the opinion that people are basically good, while others maintain we are all inherently evil. And both sides would point to these men to make their case!

For if we compare people to other people, it naturally follows that some indeed rise to the level of “good” and others sink in comparison to “evil” status, like Nabal, “surly and mean ... wicked and foolish.” And we have to chuckle at the caveated description of Hananiah, who “feared God ... more than most people do.” (“Hey!”)

But God’s standard for goodness is infinitely higher than ours. It is not relativistic at all, rather it is one of perfection, as the words of the prophet Habukkuk still resound, “[God’s] eyes are too pure to look on evil; [he] cannot tolerate wrong.” And who among us has never done wrong? No one, says Isaiah: “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags ...”

Yes, there is a gap between man’s standard and God’s. And forever speaking truth into each situation, Jesus exposed that chasm: “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken (Matthew 12:34-36).” And to the rich man who fell on his knees before him, Jesus pointedly inquired: “Why do you call me good? No one is good – except God alone (Mark 10:19).” Simply put, our "good by comparison" falls far short in the presence of God.

All people, no matter how highly we think of them, need a Savior who is good by God’s terms. Our new neighbor Job not only knew such need, he embraced it: “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. (Job 19:25)”

Still not convinced? Go next door and ask the Corneliuses. Upon hearing the gospel, these good people put their faith in Christ. And they’re still celebrating.