Living Stones, no pet rocks.

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ( 1 Peter 2:4-5 ESV)

“As you come to Him,” Peter’s use of the verb coming includes our initial repentance and faith. The Greek verb implies a continual drawing nearer to God. This continual drawing closer to God is our sanctification, evidenced by our fruits. Our fruits indicate an “authentic” conversion. A spiritual changing of the heart that cannot be reversed.

Christ was sent by God and chosen as our redeemer so that God’s creation would worship Him as the Father had designed. Peter writes this to remind us that Christ, despite being the stone rejected by the builders, is the living cornerstone of our faith and church, a testament to his pivotal role in our salvation and the birth of Christianity.

Peter’s use of the word living, “living stone,” reminds us of the resurrection and that we serve a living God, not a wooden statue or a metal figure on a cross. It also reminds us that Jesus is the giver of life. Life in death, and life eternal.

Peter also reminds us that we, as “living stones,” are in an eternal union with Christ. It reminds us that, as Christians, we resemble Christ; as we grow in sanctification, we reflect Christ more and more. A lack of this reflection indicates an empty heart and a lack of conversion.

In verse 6, Peter writes: In Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” (Isaiah 28:16)

We are called as priests in that we have immediate and equal access to God. We are called upon to do works of faith because of our justification. These works are the ministries, the service, and the blessings we provide to others in Christ’s name.

Although things are more modern these days, these verses reflect the Gospel that is Christ. Our methods of communication have changed, and technology has improved our methods of worship. Persecution has become more challenging as it has gone from purely physical to legal, financial, and other areas of the Christian life, and yes, the physicality of persecution remains. But the gospel has not changed. Salvation has not changed, and neither should our faith, devotion, and worship.

It is the Word of God that gives God the opportunity to change hearts. Plant a seed, testify, and spread the gospel so that those who do not know Jesus may come to serve God.

If you do not know Jesus and would like to learn more about Him, reach out to us here at In Messiah. We can help you understand why there is no time to waste in knowing Christ as your Savior.

Grace and Peace!