Thursday, July 21, 2011
PRECIOUS PASSAGES FROM FIRST PETER
1 Peter 2:5 You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
*YOU* ARE A LIVING STONE FOR CHRIST!
Do you know what a paradox is? It is a statement that contradicts itself. Recently, a man attempted to predict exactly when the end of the world would take place. Obviously we can see that his so-called "biblical" statement was false since the end of the world did not come at the time falsely prophesied. However, we knew that prediction was wrong even before it didn't happen because it was a true paradox -- a contradiction in itself regarding what Jesus said about Judgment Day coming as "a thief in the night." No one can know when that day will come except God Himself.
Stones are not "living." Stones are dead. So that too is a paradox. But in that statement do you see how truly blessed you are to be a "living stone" for Christ? On your own, as Paul wrote to the Christians in Ephesus, "you were dead in your trespasses and sins." Five verses after the above passage Peter wrote that "you were called out of darkness into His marvelous light." We were -- we are -- spiritually dead apart from Christ! The paradox becomes a miracle.
"How could I be a 'living stone' for Christ?" you ask. "You also ..." Peter says, reminding us that Christ is the chief cornerstone, the foundational stone, the solid rock, the true "living stone" chosen by God for our redemption and who is most precious! Christ makes you alive through His Word -- the means by which He gives His grace, mercy, and peace to you. My spiritual heart was once a heart of stone, but Christ in His miraculous mercy has given me a heart of faith to serve, honor, and glorify Him with "spiritual sacrifices."
A stone on its own serves its own purpose, and it can cause others to stumble or fall. But a stone that Christ uses to build His church gives Him glory and is alive with the joy and peace of His life-giving forgiveness and eternal life. In Christ, you are a living stone!
