But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God. (Joh 3:21 NIV)

Gathering and separation both belong to Pentecost. They are two main aspects of this high Christian holiday. Not gathering alone, but separation takes place also. That starts right there at Pentecost.

Those in the truth are gathered. Those, who are collected by the Holy Spirit like Cornelius are filled with the bright light of eternity. Such a person need not be afraid if God’s word convicts him of this or that error and these and those grave sins – as in Jesus Christ it will be clear that what he has done has been done through God. “Done through God!” Is it possible to do anything through God if we’re not in the light and not in the gospel or the Church yet? Well, our passage indicates this possibility and the story of Cornelius seems to highlight the same. It is a hinting of the preliminary grace (gratia praeveniens) that precedes our conversion and very definitely leads to our faith and salvation.

Experienced pastors know people with a great desire for God, who just have to hear the gospel and are overjoyed to have been brought to their final destination after all. Such people are marked by the Lord in special ways. Woe to those, who would reject, repel or even bring to fall one of these!

Almighty, merciful God! We give thanks and praise to you, that you have become our Father. Grant in your grace and love that we would be your true and faithful children, who will walk in your ways and trust your promises always. May the world recognize your grace with which you invite all to come to you. Let our good deeds proclaim your love and goodness, so that many more will thank and praise your name and live to your honour and glory too. We ask this in Jesus Christ your son’s name, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen.

Oh Lord you hold the whole world in your hands. You can even change men’s hearts according to your will. Grant your grace to further peace and love and bring to prosperous unity those separated by enmity and strife.

Fill all minds with pure and faithful decor, even houses, towns and cities with your ongoing blessing. Dispel the evil spirits and all that is opposed to you –  drive them out and expel it all from here. (Paul Gerhard 1607-1676)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Wednesday after the high Christian holiday of Pentecost. It is found on Pg. 211 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.