In review of 1 Peter 2:4-5 it says, “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as a living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
Bottom Line:
Christ is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by many, but chosen by God for great honor. When we come to him, we become living stones that are used to build his spiritual house. With the help of Christ, we can offer sacrifices that please God.
What this means to me:
Christ is the cornerstone of God’s temple. While He was rejected by many, God gave him great honor. When I came to him, I became a living stone that he is using to build his spiritual house. It is through Christ that I can do things and offer sacrifices that please God.
Today's passage comes from 1 Peter 2. In it Peter talks about being living stones for God's House. He prefaces it with telling us to get rid of all evil behavior (being done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.) Then like newborn babies, we should be craving pure spiritual milk so that we can grow into a full experience of salvation.
We are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God's temple. He was rejected by people, but was chosen by God for great honor. So we too are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What's more, we are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Christ, we offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. Those of us who have trusted him recognize the honor that God has given him. But for those who reject him, that stone that was rejected is now the cornerstone. He is the stone that make people stumble and fall. They stumble because they do not obey God's word, and so end up meeting the fate that is planned for them.
We are not like this, we are a chosen people. We are royal priests, a holy nation. God's very own. As a result, we can show others the goodness of God, for he called us out of the darkness and into his wonderful life. Lastly Peter warns us as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. We are to be careful how we live among unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
So this morning I am reminded that when rejection and opposition comes my way, I’m exactly in the right place. God will put me in the middle of fiery trials to burn out the imperfections and craft me into a vessel of honor. If I cannot endure great burdens, I will never survive great success.
God’s word is filled with examples of those he puts through great trials is next to be promoted. If I can’t stand fierce criticism, then I will be destroyed by complements. Afterall, God has great things waiting for me on the other side of a dark day. So I can hold on, and know that God is building me, his son, up even as others try to tear me down.
I can decide that today will be a great day in Jesus’ name. In spite of what I see in the natural world around me, I can know that God is fighting for me in the supernatural world, making me holy and acceptable to Him. The small bumps in the road only prepare me for the moment when I finally reach the mountaintop.
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