500 Can You Believe In God And Go To Hell? - Cornelius, Religious; But, Lost

THE TESTIMONY OF CORNELIUS -- HE BELIEVED IN GOD; BUT, WAS LOST!
Cornelius was a Gentile who would be acclaimed by the liberals and modernists today as a true Christian, accepted of God. Acts 10:1, 2 describes him.
"There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway."
Here was a man who was very sincere and prayed to God always, but was still lost and on his way to Hell. He did not know that the Messiah had been here and risen again and only faith in Him would save. One thing about Cornelius—he only faith in Him would save. One thing about Cornelius—he would accept the truth of God's word in lieu of his own ideas of reaching God. God, knowing this, arranged for Cornelius to hear the truth so he would be saved. God instructed him to send to Joppa for a man named Simon Peter, which he did.
When Peter arrived in Caesarea, Cornelius told him,
"Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God" (Acts 10:33b)
Cornelius did not keep this good news to himself; but, gathered all in his hous. Peter then told him about Jesus Christ, the Cross and His Resurrection. In Verse 43 we read,
"To him (Christ) gave all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins."
As soon as Cornelius heard the truth, that trusting in Christ granted remission of sins; he believed and was indwelt with the Holy Spirit, the evidence of his eternal life. The record is in Verse 44,
"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the word."
Those with Cornelius also believed and were saved.
Notice that Cornelius did not try to justify himself by telling Peter of all the good works he had done, or of the money he had given, or the prayers he had prayed. He did not try to argue or twist the words. He had heard the truth; so, he believed.
There are many today just like Cornelius. They are religious, they pray, give money to the poor, are of good character; but are still lost. They believed in God; but, were still on their way to Hell.
Maybe you are one like Cornelius. You try to live the best that you can, you are honest, you would not hurt anyone purposely; and these things are good. In fact, the world Maybe you are one like Cornelius. You try to live the best that you can, you are honest, you would not hurt anyone purposely; and these things are good. In fact, the world would be a better place to live if these characteristics were prominent in more people. But these qualities in a person will never keep him from eternal damnation. The wages of one single, solitary sin, not sins—but sin, singular, qualifies us for eternal condemnation. Romans 6:23 concludes that "The wages of sin (singular, just one) is death..."
That is the reason no one has ever been able to qualify himself for eternal life. Since no one could ever qualify; the only way anyone could have eternal life would be if it were offered as a free gift. This is exactly what God says,
"For the wages of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." -- (Romans 6:23)
God made sure Cornelius heard the truth by sending Peter with His Word. Maybe God has sent His Word via these messages for you; and, like Cornelius, you can see the truth and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ that "thou shalt be saved." Cornelius believed immediately when he heard God's Word.
"Behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation."
Why? Tomorrow you may not be here. Will you right now trust Jesus Christ as your Savior before it is too late?

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