{"id":7184,"date":"2015-11-08T04:16:35","date_gmt":"2015-11-08T04:16:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.firstofallpray.com\/?p=7184"},"modified":"2015-11-08T04:16:35","modified_gmt":"2015-11-08T04:16:35","slug":"1-peter-24-5-living-stones-and-a-holy-priesthood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.firstofallpray.com\/?p=7184","title":{"rendered":"1 Peter 2:4-5\u2014Living stones and a holy priesthood"},"content":{"rendered":"

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,<\/em> 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.<\/em> 1 Peter 2:4-5<\/p>\n

And coming to Him as to a living stone<\/em>\u2026 choice and precious in the sight of God<\/em>\u2026<\/p>\n

Like Father, like Son. Deuteronomy 32:4 declares emphatically that God is the Rock. Jesus\u2014 according to Peter\u2014is the living Stone.<\/p>\n

This Stone was chosen of God. This Stone was prized and held in honor. And this Stone was very much alive\u2014and will be forever.<\/p>\n

\u2026 which has been rejected by men<\/em>\u2026<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

What I don\u2019t think about is rejection<\/em>. And yet, of all the Scriptures about Christ as a Stone, the majority of them emphasize that He\u2014the immovable, unshakable Rock of Ages\u2014was rejected by men<\/em>. This absolutely baffles me\u2026but more about that later in verses 7 and 8.<\/p>\n

\u2026 you also, as living stones<\/em>\u2026<\/p>\n

Not only is your Lord<\/em> a living Stone, but you<\/em> are a living stone as well. You reflect Him to the people around you; in your faith,\u00a0they sense a stability which\u2014although they may not understand or even believe it\u2014makes them feel safe.<\/p>\n

\u2026you<\/em>\u2026are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood<\/em>\u2026<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 12:27 declares, \u201cAll of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it\u201d<\/em> (NLT). Together, each believer is joined as the Body of Christ. All by yourself, you are still<\/em> a part of that Body\u2026a very vital part\u2014a living stone<\/em>.<\/p>\n

God<\/em> builds the Church; we don\u2019t. 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\u2019ve been given\u2014the job to which\u00a0He’s called us.<\/p>\n

That job to which you and I have been called is priesthood<\/em>\u2014a holy<\/em> priesthood. Simply put, your job is to stand before men on behalf of God\u2014and to stand before God on behalf of men.<\/p>\n

\u2026 to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.<\/em><\/p>\n

In your calling as a priest before God, you offer sacrifices. The Old Covenant priests offered up bulls and goats; you<\/em> offer up spiritual <\/em>sacrifices.<\/p>\n

Five of the sacrifices you present to God are:<\/p>\n