Peter tells us that, “…as newborn babes, desire THE PURE MILK OF THE WORD, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” (1 Peter 2:2-3) Then he goes on to say, “CHRIST IS THE LIVING STONE. People did not accept Him. But GOD CHOSE HIM. God places the HIGHEST VALUE on Him. YOU ALSO ARE LIKE LIVING STONES. As you come to him you are being BUILT INTO A HOUSE FOR WORSHIP (“Do you not know that YOU ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”) (1 Corinthians 3:16)). There YOU WILL BE HOLY PRIESTS. You will offer spiritual sacrifices. God will accept them because of what Jesus Christ has done. In Scripture it says, “Look! I am placing A STONE IN ZION (Jesus Christ). It is a chosen and very valuable stone. It is the MOST IMPORTANT stone in the building. The one WHO TRUSTS IN HIM will never be put to shame.” (Isaiah 28:16)) (1 Peter 2:4-6)
“Now to you who believe, THIS STONE IS PRECIOUS. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone that causes people TO STUMBLE and a rock that MAKES THEM FALL.” They stumble because THEY DISOBEY THE MESSAGE—which is also what they were destined for. But you are a CHOSEN people, a ROYAL priesthood, a HOLY nation, God’s SPECIAL possession, that you may DECLARE the praises of Him who called you OUT OF DARKNESS into HIS WONDERFUL LIGHT.” (1 Peter 2:7-9)
“Once you (gentiles) were not a people. But now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD. Once you had not received mercy. But now you have received mercy. Dear friends, you are OUTSIDERS AND STRANGERS IN THIS WORLD. So, I’m asking you not to give in to your sinful longings. They fight against your soul. People who don’t believe might say you are doing wrong. But LEAD GOOD LIVES AMONG THEM. Then they will SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS. And they will GIVE GLORY TO GOD on the day He comes to judge.” (1 Peter 2:10-12) Because “…we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior.” (Philippians 3:20)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham