Wednesday, 22 July 2020 1 Peter 2:1-12
“...you also as living stones are being built up a spiritual house……through Jesus Christ.” - 1 Peter 2:5
The Apostle Peter addresses this letter to the Christians in Asia Minor, facing increasing persecution for their faith, to conduct themselves courageously for the Person and program of Christ thereby growing in their faith. Being born into a living hope we are to imitate the Holy One as Christians— in the role of citizens, workers, husbands, wives—even when we face opposition and hatred for our faith. As we imitate our Saviour, we will become a Spiritual House, worthy to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ that will attract many to the love of Jesus.
Let us look into the main characteristics that will reveal that we are a Spiritual House of God:
It will have a Definite Foundation: Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone to every spiritual house (1 Peter 2:6) and “to us who believe this stone becomes precious” (1 Peter 2:7) because we begin to build our Christian life on this foundation. God is building a home. He used the apostles and prophets as the foundation and now He is using you and me, fitting us brick by brick, stone by stone with Jesus Himself being the Chief Cornerstone that holds all parts together. We see it taking shape day by day till we become a holy temple in which God is at home. [Eph. 2:20-22 The Msg paraphrased] This foundation can never be shaken even when each of us faces trying times. We will never be disappointed or disturbed [1 Peter 2:8 & Isaiah 28:16] because “this cornerstone is costly and firmly placed.” Let’s join with the songwriter: ‘How firm a foundation/How sure a salvation/ And we will not be shaken /Jesus, firm foundation’
It will be a Depository of Unique Treasure: It’s not only the foundation and structure that is important to a building, but also what is stored in it. As Christians we are called to store invaluable and priceless assets in our lives and Peter equates these treasures to God’s Word (1 Peter 2:2). If our lives are soaked with God’s Word, then our heart will pursue the things of God. Just as a baby grows feeding on milk, Peter exhorts us to flush out all uncleanness from our lives and drink deep from God’s Word, resulting in our growth and maturity and becoming whole in God. Jesus told His disciples: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of his evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45) What kind of treasure will people see every time we speak? Will it be words of healing, encouragement and comfort? This is possible provided we have a treasury of God’s Word hidden in our hearts.
It will Declare God’s Glory [1 Peter 2:9] : Jesus did not save us to become an antique piece in a museum but become His masterpiece to proclaiming His Redemptive Act in our lives. The woman at the well in John 4, faced rejection and condemnation due to her sinful life. After she met Jesus, she received the pure and perfect gift of life from Him. She received mercy instead of penalty, acceptance instead of abandonment, heaven instead of hell. She could not contain herself; she ran to tell the good news to all in the city.
Haven’t you and I received this great salvation from Christ? Can we remain silent without telling the world what God has done for us? As the song writer sings: “As long as there is time and one breath left in us , may we always have one more song to sing of HIS GLORY.”
Quote for the day: “We will never change the world by going to church. We will only change the world by being the church.”
~ Anon
Listen: ‘Build this house’