But He Was Lost

In Acts chapter ten we read of the man named Cornelius. That he was a good man is beyond dispute. But he was lost. We can be sure of this because the Lord sent Peter to him to tell him what to do to be saved (Acts 10: 6; 11: 14).

This proves we cannot be saved simply on the basis of our own goodness. Being good is in the imitation of Christ (Acts 10: 38). But nobody can be good enough to earn heaven. We are dependent on the grace, love and mercy of God that has provided the saving blood of Christ and His resurrection. Without what God has done we could never reach heaven.

But until we obey the gospel by which we reach His blood we shall remain out of Christ and be lost (Rom. 6: 3, 4; Eph. 1:3). This includes baptism at which time God applies the blood of Christ to the sin-stained soul and cleanses. Being good is necessary but not enough. Have you obeyed the gospel?