1 Peter 2:6-8 “Built up as living stones we will not
be disappointed. However unto those who don't believe the cornerstone
Jesus Christ will be a stumbling stone. Unto you therefore which believe he is
precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders
disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling,
and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being
disobedient: where unto also they were appointed.” As living stones we're built up to offer spiritual
sacrifices holy unto God.
Michael continues that although
Christians are in this world, we are not of this world. (John 15:18-19 and John
17:14-16). The wealthier the culture becomes, the more the people
will worship the almighty dollar and the idol "blessings" of this
world. When true Children of God preach the Word of God, the world will
persecute them and ostracize them for speaking against what the God-rejecting world
system considers “politically correct”. The secular world does not realize
that the true blessing is to pursue the Blessor (Creator God) and not the
blessing. Therefore, Peter reminds us that we are God's building, His holy
temple and that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone, the firm foundation.
According to 1 Peter 2:9, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a
peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called
you out of darkness into His marvelous light:” The Lord chose us
before we chose Him. He chose us before the foundations of the world, that
we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. We're a royal
priesthood with direct access to our Heavenly Father. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man
Christ Jesus. We, who have been born from above, are an holy nation. We're
citizens of Heaven, having been born again, not of corruptible seed (of Adam)
but of incorruptible (of God) by the Word of God which lives and abides
forever.
Continuing in 1 Peter 2:11, “Dearly beloved, I beseech
you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against
the soul”. To win the spiritual battle, we must put on the whole armor of
God (Ephesians 6:10-18). 2
Corinthians 10:4 says, “For the
weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but spiritual to the pulling down of
strongholds. Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself
against the knowledge of God bring every thought captive to the obedience of
Christ.” The two offensive weapons in our spiritual arsenal are the sword
of the Spirit which is the Word of God and prayer. We're aliens and
foreigners in a sinful world of darkness. We're citizens of Heaven.
To bear up under suffering,
we must understand that this world is not our home; we're just passing
through. If we hold on to the things of this world, John said, the love of
the father is not in us. In a hostile world, Jesus said, "Blessed are they
when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against
you falsely for my sake, for great is your reward in heaven." As the
Apostle Paul said, “for me to live is
Christ and to die is gain.” The love of God defeats the hatred of the
adversary (Satan) and his minions. According to Romans 12, “be not overcome with evil but overcome evil
with good.”
Let's conclude Michael's message on Peter's encouragement in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
Let's conclude Michael's message on Peter's encouragement in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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