Consistency

“Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God” Acts 10:4b

Cornelius was a Roman centurion, whose narrative is featured in Acts 10. Though a Gentile he had come to faith in the Jewish God. This faith for him was an authentic one. Scripture indicates that he was devoted to God, offered gifts and prayed regularly. Thus making him consistent in his walk

Webster defines consistency as having integrity and follow through, producing a compactness that complements the whole.

Here in our narrative, Cornelius, though a worshipper of God is unaware of the new birth in Christ, and the spirit baptism. This movement was a revolution that was quickly reforming the Jewish faith as seen in the book of Acts. Thousands were turning to Christ, political and social systems were being challenged, and mighty miracles were being displayed. Yet Cornelius knew nothing about it. He just remained consistent in prayer.

Sometimes, in our walk with God we may be out of alignment with His greater plans for us. Though we are faithful to him, somehow, whether due to timing, sovereignty, sin or some other reason we may have missed God’s dynamic workings in the larger body. Yet a consistent walk with God like Cornelius’ builds up our spiritual reserves, which though may be intangible to us, is very present. This spiritual reserve is the foundation which God uses to move us further in his will.

As the rest of chapter 10 reveals, Cornelius in fact is realigned with God’s current move. Due to his diligence in prayer, father God sees to it that Cornelius does not miss out. In fact, because of his consistency, an angel is commissioned to appear to Cornelius to prepare him for a visit with the apostle Peter. Upon his meeting with Peter, he receives the gospel of the resurrected Christ, and the baptism of the Spirit with his entire household. Because of his actions, Cornelius receives much favor and becomes the first recorded Gentile to receive Christ post the ascension. In fact Cornelius is the prophetic fulfillment of Acts 1:8, where the message had spread from Jerusalem to Samaria, but not beyond. Truly, God’s favour rested on him, due to his faithfulness in serving.

Can I encourage you to be like Cornelius? Don’t be discouraged if it seems like you are missing out on God’s greater them for your life. Truly he is sovereign and as long as you remain faithful will see to it that his blessings abound on your life.