Clean Like Cornelius

God is the one who declares us worthy and sets us apart. He wants to teach us how to love not label others.

“Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and everything in it, and so consecrated them. He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him. Then Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood from the altar and sprinkled them on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. So he consecrated Aaron and his garments and his sons and their garments."

Leviticus‬ ‭8‬:‭10‬, ‭12‬, ‭30‬, ‭33‬, ‭36‬

The anointing process was one to set apart Aaron and his sons for a purpose. They were anointed to serve God. Aaron did not choose to be a priest rather God chose him. This is an important distinction to make as we can feel the weight of feeling whether we are worthy.

Think about the experiences in your life, the things others have said, and any thoughts that make you feel unworthy. Should you allow the experiences and others to dictate your worth or the Creator who made you? God is the one who calls, He is the one who qualifies, and He empowers us to serve Him.

“Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.” ‭‭

Psalms‬ ‭98‬:‭1‬-‭2‬

What is the new song that David sings about? It is the song of an unqualified, forgotten shepherd boy who learned to let go of the false identity. The youngest brother, the least of the least, a boy who by the world's standards was nothing. What did David learn about his true identity? He was a poet, praise leader, shepherd, warrior, and king.

There is an awakening that occurs when we learn to listen to the voice of God. The voice says you are enough. I know you by name and have a calling on your life. I have plans and purposes for you to participate and make a difference in this world. You have a kingdom identity and it will be greater than you could imagine. How do you see yourself? What you do will depend on who you are made to be. What does God call you? Ask Him.

“How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful...You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you."

Song of Songs‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬, ‭7‬, ‭10‬

Love has a way of captivating us and giving us eyes to see beauty. When was the last time you spoke the words out loud, "I am beautiful?" Do you see the beauty within you? God does. He made you and wants you to learn to see yourself as He sees you.

“Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action...I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them...I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.” ‭‭

Jeremiah‬ ‭32‬:‭17‬-‭19‬, ‭26‬-‭27‬, ‭38‬-‭41‬ ‭

What does this text say and what does it not say? Truth says that God has plans to provide, plant, and be continually present with His people. What does it not say? It does not say that His promises are conditional on our qualifications. The one command of God is that we have singleness of heart and action and that He will give this to us. God always reminds us that our greatest offering is our hearts and that He rejoices in doing good for those who do. Does He have your whole heart and authority in your actions?

“At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly...Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean"...We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say...Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests...He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean...Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message...the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all...how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles." ‭

Acts 10‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭9‬-‭12‬, ‭14‬-‭15‬, ‭22‬-‭23‬, ‭27‬-‭28‬, ‭30‬-‭31‬, ‭34‬-‭38‬, ‭42‬, ‭44‬-‭48‬

Peter's eyes and heart were opened to see all people with the loving eyes of Jesus. He saw that his old way of thinking that labeling people a Jew or not Jew was not what was right. Labeling leads to division. Love leads to connection. Peter realizes he was set apart not to divide people, but to bring back the lost like Jesus.

What would happen in our world if we stopped labeling people good or bad? What would happen if we stopped labeling ourselves worthy or unworthy? What would happen is what Father Gregory Boyle calls radical kinship. A state where communities would be led by compassion and cooperation through Christ who strengthens each person to become who they were made to be. Set apart but not alone. Anointed, but not apathetic to the world around.

You are anointed by God. Set apart for a purpose and worthy. He gave you gifts and are called to work with all your might while enjoying the goodness of all that God has provided in your current circumstances. The question is simple. Will you listen to the voice of Jesus who calls you His beautiful, beloved child and learn to walk in your true kingdom identity today with singleness of heart to serve?