The Italian Regiment - Men of Faith and Action
#leadership
The story of Cornelius and the Italian Regiment (Acts 10) is a powerful call to men who want to lead with obedient faith. Cornelius, a Roman army officer in Caesarea, was a devout, God-fearing man, and his entire household feared God with him. That does not happen by accident. He was the real deal. He led by example, in battle and in his home. He prayed regularly and gave generously to the poor. God noticed this man of action.
Be like that. Increase in godly character and be consistent. Take risks for God and be willing to share the message of God, the great treasure of God.
An angel appeared and told Cornelius to send for Peter. Without hesitation, Cornelius obeyed. He called two household servants and a devout soldier, another man of faith, and sent them off to Joppa.
Meanwhile, God was preparing Peter with a vision repeated three times. Peter got the message: the Good News is for all people. Earth-shaking news, really. And like Cornelius, Peter never hesitated. He knew what he had to do. It may not have made much sense, but he went anyway, trusting Jesus.
When Peter arrived, Cornelius had gathered his relatives and close friends from the Italian Regiment, ready to hear what God would say. Cornelius first fell down to worship Peter, but Peter quickly corrected him. Do not worship men. Do not live to please men. God forbid.
Peter delivered the Message that should challenge and encourage every one of us:
Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel, that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. You know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
We are witnesses of all he did throughout Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him to life on the third day. Then God allowed him to appear, not to the general public, but to us whom God had chosen in advance to be his witnesses. We were those who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all, the living and the dead. He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.” (Acts 10:34-43)
God shows no favoritism. He accepts men from every nation who fear Him and put faith into action by doing what is right. Lead like Cornelius, preach like Peter.
We are often desperate for control. We want detailed direction for every decision, where to work, how to handle difficult people, which battles to fight. Yet God is providentially orchestrating the advance of His Kingdom for His glory, our good, and the good of His holy Church.
Our job is to lead like Cornelius and Peter: obey what God has made plain in His Message, teach, preach, pray, and give generously. Keep advancing, for God's Kingdom never stops advancing.
Like Cornelius, each of us will be judged by the Son of God. Everyone who believes in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through His name. Be bold. Be the best husband, dad, and friend that you can be today. Forgive, for God has forgiven us.
Wicked men may try to beat us down. Get back up. Put on the full armor of God and, like the Italian Regiment, march on, because the Kingdom belongs to God, not Caesar. We shall succeed by the grace of God. He is advancing His Kingdom. Do not turn back. Press on in obedient faith.
Let us be men like the devout, faithful, brave, and obedient men of the Italian Regiment, bold servants and disciples devoted in prayer and acts of love for Christ and His Church. Love all people. Live courageously for Him today.
Lord God, help us grow in You today. Amen.
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