1Peter 2 “Chosen to Be a Living Stone”

In ancient times a stone was chosen to be the cornerstone, the first stone placed upon which the remaining stones would thus be aligned. It was chosen for its strength, size and solidity and was placed with great ceremony and often accompanied by a sacrifice. Today we also continue this practice but mark stones with dates and names of influential people’s names. Thus the picture of the cornerstone used by Isaiah and now Peter take on a precious meaning when we realize that both used this imagery to speak of Christ. God has placed His chosen stone, the cornerstone in His Beloved Son. His promise is that anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.

As believers in Christ we are now aligned perfectly with our Cornerstone. Our status as part of the foundation gives us great honor and thus Peter reminds us that because of that we are to be holy as He is holy. We are to abstain from fleshly lusts, have excellent conduct within and without the church. We are to submit to every authority over us (see Rom 13 for more on this ) and we are to honor all people, and love those who are brothers and sisters in the faith.

The purpose is made clear: this is why we are called, chosen. We are God’s representative here on earth in the church. Therefore when we abstain from fellowship our stone is missing, when we sin we cause our stone to reflect decay, when we walk and talk as the world we bring harm upon the building’ s alignment. As you worship today reflect upon this great truth: you are chosen by God to be a living stone…and as Paul said “a living sacrifice.” The application then is to go forth and be a living stone!