The God-fearing man (Acts 10)
~ By Pastor N. Tuang Lang
It is no news to us about the importance of the role of fathers in a familial unit. We bear witness to fathers carrying out their fatherly duties, but often many a fathers forget their heavenly duty; serving God and leading their families towards Him. In the Bible, there exists a mysterious character that appears and disappears in the same chapter but invokes great truths about the role of fathers and the part they play not just in the physical, but spiritual welfare of their entire household. Cornelius, a Roman soldier, was the first gentile recorded to have converted into Christianity and it was in his household that God publicly opened the Church to the gentile world. Despite not being born again, Cornelius remained a devout man; he prayed consistently and helped the poor unwaveringly. He led his household to believe in God and allowed them the sight of true faith. God saw Cornelius’ thirst for Him so he sent an angel and Peter himself to deliver the gospel and baptise them in Jesus’ name. This in itself shows how God never turns away from those who yearn for Him, moreover, He would move heaven and earth for who those are willing to receive the Gospel. Here, Cornelius sets the example of father and a leader. He brought God to his family and saved them from eternal damnation. Many fathers today, serve God and stay true to Him, but they do not teach their wives or children to do the same. This is where they fail at their Godly duty. Noah (Gen 6-8), Jacob (Gen 35) and Job (Job 1:5), too, like Cornelius, advocated for God in their household and worked together to serve God. Solomon, the wisest man to have ever lived, discusses in Ecclesiastes about fearing God and how this will lead into a meaningful life. Hence, earthly fathers have the responsibility of bringing their families closer to the heavenly father, to teach them the ways of fearing-God and yearning for His presence in their lives because God will definitely make a way.
[Note: Pastor's speech at 11am and 2pm worship services were more or less the same.]
Nenem Guite, Content Writer