“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. For in Scripture it says:
‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.’(Isaiah 28:16)
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,’(Psalm 118:22)
and, ‘A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.’(Isaiah 8:14)
They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.“ 1 Peter 2: 4-8 [NIV]
We understand the allegory of Jesus being the foundation stone of our faith, and it seems clear that some accept and some reject him, but Peter has not written this in the past tenses, Jesus is the living stone, you like living stones are being built into a spiritual house, to be a royal priesthood (more on that on Thursday), offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God.
These are ongoing actions, in Romans 12:1 Paul writes “…to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship”.[NIV].
In Philippians 4:18 Paul receives gifts of support from the Philippian church and writes, " they are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God."[NIV]
In Hebrews 13:16 we read, " And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." [NIV]
Even the most menial of tasks can be clothed in grace and rendered as thanksgiving to God.
Father, teach us how will we use our time, money and resources as worship to you.
Guy Mowbray
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