Acts 10:9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." 14 But Peter said, "Not so, Lord!
Acts 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius!" 4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?"
We need to be careful how we respond to the Lord. This applies to unbelievers as well as believers, and strangely enough, as exemplified in Acts 10, sometimes a believer’s response to God is worse by measure than one who is yet to come to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
I find it fascinating to compare the Apostle Peter’s response to God to that of Cornelius, the non-believer. Cornelius’ response suggests both belief and faith, while Peter’s response suggests a lack of both – in that moment.
The Greek word employed for ‘Lord’ in both cases is the same – ‘kurios,’ which means “supreme in authority, or, controller.”
We have often heard it said Peter’s response is nonsensical for that very reason. If God truly is your ‘Lord,’ it makes no sense to say “not so” to Him.
A better answer when troubled by God’s direction might be, (as Cornelius responded,) "What is it, lord?" The intent here seems to be a request for further information, (with the understanding God is a great communicator,) and with further information we will joyfully respond to His guidance – NO MATTER WHAT.
What if Cornelius, like Peter, had responded, "Not so, Lord!”? There is something about familiarity with the presence of the Lord which can remove required reverence for Who God is. This is why many (maybe even most) Christians drift along in life, resisting the ‘engagements’ the Lord would lead them to. Sometimes we love God so much we feel the freedom to be disobedient to His commands. Not so!
- Pastor Bill
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