Living stones

Scripture

1 Peter 2:5 “And now you are living stones that are being used to build a spiritual house. You are also a group of holy priests, and with the help of Jesus Christ you will offer sacrifices that please God”.

 

Observation

Each person has a purpose. We get to choose which purpose we want to put our energies into. We can either choose to build our own ambitions through deceitfulness or selfish motives or else we can become followers of Christ who is able to establish us and build us into the house he is constructing. Peter reminds the people that they have decided to follow Jesus and so they have been transformed into living stones. Alive and vibrant. Purposeful and focused. Each one set aside as a holy priest that serves the Lord Jesus with all of their hearts. The things they offer to him are now sacrifices that are pleasing to God.

 

Application

Having chosen to put my energies into following Jesus I realise that I have now been bricked into the house that He is building. Therefore my selfish ambitions and motivations aren’t compatible with the structure I am now inbuilt. At times I feel myself wriggling under the apparent restrictions of my own desires. Sometimes I try to rebel but all along I know that the house I have been fitted into is the one I was always made to fit. As I allow the Holy Spirit to shape my heart, healing it from the curse of sin and selfishness, I become more settled in the house that He has set me into. His house. His body. And with his constant assistance I find the sacrifices I offer please him.

 

Prayer

Thank you Jesus for saving my life from a pointless existence of self indulgence. Being fitted into your house as a living stone is such a privilege. My purpose has become eternal. Today’s passage from Peter has reminded me of my place in your body.

 

 

Jim Jung