1 Peter 2:4-5—Living stones and a holy priesthood
And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5
And coming to Him as to a living stone… choice and precious in the sight of God…
Like Father, like Son. Deuteronomy 32:4 declares emphatically that God is the Rock. Jesus— according to Peter—is the living Stone.
This Stone was chosen of God. This Stone was prized and held in honor. And this Stone was very much alive—and will be forever.
… which has been rejected by men…
When I think about the Stone that is precious and alive, I think of a strong tower to which I can run and be safe. I think about a refuge to which I can retreat in times of trouble. I think about an unshakable foundation under my feet looming up to thwart any foe that would seek to do me harm.
What I don’t think about is rejection. And yet, of all the Scriptures about Christ as a Stone, the majority of them emphasize that He—the immovable, unshakable Rock of Ages—was rejected by men. This absolutely baffles me…but more about that later in verses 7 and 8.
… you also, as living stones…
Not only is your Lord a living Stone, but you are a living stone as well. You reflect Him to the people around you; in your faith, they sense a stability which—although they may not understand or even believe it—makes them feel safe.
…you…are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood…
1 Corinthians 12:27 declares, “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it” (NLT). Together, each believer is joined as the Body of Christ. All by yourself, you are still a part of that Body…a very vital part—a living stone.
God builds the Church; we don’t. We are living components of His Body which He fits together as He desires. Through us, He forms a beautiful house for the job we’ve been given—the job to which He’s called us.
That job to which you and I have been called is priesthood—a holy priesthood. Simply put, your job is to stand before men on behalf of God—and to stand before God on behalf of men.
… to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
In your calling as a priest before God, you offer sacrifices. The Old Covenant priests offered up bulls and goats; you offer up spiritual sacrifices.
Five of the sacrifices you present to God are:
- Your body.
- Your love walk.
- Your finances directed toward the Gospel.
- Your praise and thanksgiving.
- Your good works and acts of sharing with others.
The following Scriptures reveal these spiritual sacrifices which are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Romans 12:1-2. Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
Your body itself—and therefore what you do in it and with it—is a living and holy sacrifice which is acceptable to God.
Ephesians 5:2. …and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
The ultimate act of love was accomplished by Jesus when He laid down His life in your place—an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. You are to follow His lead and walk in love yourself. This sacrifice—your willingness to walk in love toward others—is a fragrant aroma to God.
Philippians 4:18. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
Whenever you give into the Gospel—whether it is to your church, a special ministry, or to an individual believer involved in furthering the cause of Christ—you have offered up an acceptable sacrifice which is well-pleasing to God.
Hebrews 13:15. Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
When you praise God and give Him thanks, you are offering up sacrifice to Him. You have ceased from using your words in everyday, common chitchat and have offered up the fruit of your lips to Him as a spiritual sacrifice. And this sacrifice is to continue on an ongoing basis.
Hebrews 13:16. And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Every time you do good to someone and every time you share what you have with another, God counts this as a pleasing sacrifice to Him.
As a living stone, you are a member of the Body of Christ and part of a holy priesthood, called to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Dorothy
© 2015, Dorothy Frick