by Tad Lindley
A question was once posed to me, “What about Mike and Mary?” Those aren’t the real names. I couldn’t remember the real names, so I used Mike and Mary instead. The thrust of the question was this: Mike and Mary are not Christians, but they are such caring and compassionate people; a loving God wouldn’t let such people go to hell, would he?
There are many people in the world who are Christians waiting to happen. They are those who help others with no thought of repayment. The ones who believe there is a god out there somewhere, but haven’t figured it all out. They are hard workers, loving, and generous people. They are not unnoticed by God.
God will go to extreme lengths to reach them with the wonderful truth. Sometimes it is a tract found by a mud puddle, or a radio broadcast. Other times it is a co-worker, friend, or family member. He might even send an angel down!
An instant Christian in the Bible
In the Bible there was a man named Cornelius. Cornelius was a very good man. He was a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. (Acts 10:2) God knew it and the people knew it. He prayed and he used his finances to help people in need. The fact that this man lived so righteously without even knowing the whole truth about God is awesome. To read the Bible’s rich praise of the man, we might assume that Cornelius was saved. After all, it is tempting to think that God will save all the Mikes and Marys of the world.
But Cornelius was not saved!
The Lord was so moved by Cornelius, that he sent an angel to him. The angel told Cornelius these words: ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’ (Acts 11:13-14 NIV) This means that even though Cornelius was devout, and believed in God, and gave alms to people, he still was not saved. The Lord would send a preacher to him to tell him how to be saved.
Why some Mikes and Marys will not be saved
At this point, many people’s pride would step in. “I’m not going to let some preacher named Simon Peter tell me how to run my life!” Jesus will be the final judge of a man’s final resting place, but if his word is true, we cannot reject him and expect salvation. There are too many in this world to which God will send a preacher. They will hear the truth. And then they will fall victim to their pride. Instead of believing the good news concerning Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God, they will rest on the fact that they don’t drink, smoke, or swear and give alms to the poor.
Although living a good life is desirable, it is not enough for God. The Lord says this concerning the good things that we do: all our righteous acts are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).
How then was Cornelius saved?
Cornelius received the preacher that God sent to him. He did not get in a huff about an angel or a preacher saying he wasn’t saved. He listened intently because he wanted to know more about God.
Peter preached to Cornelius about Jesus. When he began to tell them that through the name of Jesus that whoever believed would have sins remitted (Acts 10:43), God filled Cornelius and his people with the gift of the Holy Ghost. They began to speak in tongues and praise God. Then Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord (10:48).
Many Mikes and Marys will be saved
If you are a Mike or a Mary, you, like Cornelius, are in a position to receive a mighty gift. The instant that we surrender our pride to the Lord, heaven rejoices (Luke 15:10). We are then in a position to be saved the same way Cornelius was. 1) He believed the message that Peter preached. 2) He was surrendered enough to God that he received the gift of the Holy Ghost. 3) He was baptized in the name of the Lord.
In one way we are all instant Christians just waiting for Jesus. We may not be devout like Cornelius, Mike, or Mary, but our body and soul were created for the purpose of serving the Lord. If you are walking through life without Jesus, trust me, there is a greater peace and a greater joy awaiting you. Just add Jesus!
Reverend Tad Lindley is a minister at the United Pentecostal Church in Bethel, Alaska.
