1 Peter 2:4-5
“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 2:4-5 NIV
As living stones, we must remember that we are not on our own, and so we cannot just go about serving the Lord all on our own either. Peter says we are to be built together as a spiritual house. As we have seen the last few days, we as the church are being built into the temple of the living God. God lives in us through the Holy Spirit. But unlike the temples built during Biblical time, God's current living temple must not be allowed to crumble or suffer decay due to lack of interest or disrespect by God's people. We are not lifeless stones. We are God's living temple. We are still being put together by Jesus, perfectly formed and joined together, and made acceptable to God through Jesus efforts. There are many ways to describe believers in Scripture and many similes drawn to illustrate our role in the world and relationship to Christ. We are sheep following our Shepherd and the Bride of our heavenly Bridegroom. The intimate relationship between a man his wife and the interconnectedness of Body-members with its living Head, are all pictures of Christians painted in the Word of God. We are branches on a vine and ambassadors of Christ. We are called to be kings and priests and to function like soldiers, athletes, farmers, and fruit. We are cleansing salt in a decaying world and shining lights in a place of deep darkness. And in this passage we are living stones being built together into a holy Temple, but it is Jesus Christ Who is the Chief Corner Stone. He is a living Stone Who has been rejected by men but honoured by His Heavenly Father. He is the Precious Cornerstone being laid in Zion, upon Whom God's spiritual House is founded. He is the life-giving Living Stone Who was rejected by men, but is Choice, Precious, Holy, and Beloved in the sight of God. He is chosen and cherished in the sight of God, and all who believe in Him will not be disappointed. It was prophesied of old that this Superior Stone of God would be despised by men. It was foretold by holy men of God that this Choice Cornerstone would be rejected by those He came to save. May we, who have tasted of His loving kindness and great mercy, come to our rejected Lord, willing to be rejected by the world for His name's sake, for we are members of His Body and living stones who are being built into a spiritual Temple for His names sake. You must offer your whole life as a sacrifice to God. No, you don’t have to offer animals or bread or oil like they did in the Old Testament, but you must use your whole life to serve the Lord!!!
Father thank You for this day and we are amazed and deeply grateful to know that the Lord Jesus, Who is the Chief Cornerstone of the Church and the Precious Foundation Stone upon Whom our faith is founded, was chosen by You to be our Savior. Lord open the storehouses of your abundant blessings and pour them out over my friend and family today. Lord thank You that You were willing to come to earth and be despised and rejected by men for our sake so that by faith in Him we might become a member of His Body and a living stone that is being built into a holy Temple for Your glory. Lord help us live our lives in such a way that honours You. Lord use my friend to be someone’s blessing today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !!
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