1 Peter 2: Living Stones

Today’s reading is 1 Peter 2.

As we learned yesterday, Christ’s church is likened to the temple. Jesus is the cornerstone. If we will believe and obey, He will be our cornerstone of refuge, shelter, and protection. If not, He will be the rock of offense on which we will stumble and fall.

Peter takes the metaphor further. We aren’t merely people standing on the foundation which is Jesus. We ourselves are like Him. He is a living stone. We are living stones. We are being built up into the spiritual house for the dwelling place of God (see also Ephesians 2:19-22).

But Peter’s point is not simply to provide a neat metaphor. His metaphor demonstrates a purpose. We are being built into this house in order to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. No, we won’t be sacrificing animals. But we will offer the sacrifices of praise and worship to God and service and sharing to one another (see Hebrews 13:15-16).

Our purpose is now to proclaim His excellencies. He has called us out of darkness into marvelous light. He has given us mercy. We are a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession” (1 Peter 2:9, ESV).

We do not simply proclaim His excellencies when we are assembled to worship. We proclaim His excellencies all the time. That is our job. That is our purpose. That is why God has built us into His house.

But, of course, be aware the subtle message. If Jesus, the living stone, was rejected by men, we as living stones will be rejected by men. Yet, we can hang on to Jesus and we will be chosen, precious stones in God’s eyes. Men may belittle us, but God will value us and choose us for His household.

Praise the Lord!

Tomorrow’s reading is 1 Peter 2.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

How does 1 Peter 2 prompt or improve your trust in God?

Marriage and Money

Today’s reading is Hebrews 13.

As our author nears the end of his letter/sermon, he gives some specific instructions. Throughout the book, he has provided overarching principles and concepts, stressing the need to hang on to Jesus and submit to the new covenant mediated by Him instead of going back to the Law. As he wraps up, he provides some practical applications.

Yesterday, we saw the command to continue brotherly love. He quickly follows up with two more concepts.

First, every aspect of marriage is honorable, precious, valuable including the bed within it. Bluntly, sex within marriage is honorable, precious, valuable. It is undefiled and undefiling. However, sex outside of marriage is defiled. It is contemptible and condemnable. While God honors those who participate in sexuality within marriage, He judges those who go outside the marriage bond. According to 1 Timothy 4:3, some were forbidding marriage. But marriage is not forbidden, it is honorable.

Second, while walking in this new covenant, we need to flee covetousness and pursue contentment. However, notice clearly the basis of our contentment. Our author is not saying, “Don’t love money, but be content with the amount of money you have.” Rather, he says, “Don’t love money, but be content because you have God.” God is ours. It doesn’t matter how much money we have, we have God. God is all we need. God will provide all we need.

These two points are profoundly important. Because let’s face it. Two of the top temptations pulling people away from Jesus are sex and money. These two are not wrong on their own. But through desire for them, the devil has pulled many people away. Use these properly, they are honorable and God-glorifying. Use them incorrectly, they are soul-destroying. Both of these are great servants, but they are terrible masters.

No matter what we face or what temptations our enemy puts under our noses, may we remember in Christ we have God. Why would we want to throw that away for anything?

Tomorrow’s reading is Hebrews 13.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

1. What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
2. Why do you think anyone would want to hinder or forbid marriage in general?
3. Why is it important to realize having God is more important than having money?
4. How can we overcome the temptations to immorality and covetousness and instead be satisfied and content with having God?
5. What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?