1 Peter 2:4-12
I think I’ve earned the title of a true DIY’er, I just don’t enjoy doing it myself, but I (largely) have done it myself. At our first house I renovated a basement from cinder blocks on up and learned how much wiser it would have been had the original builders not used bad materials. It took a lot of work to make up for their lazy efforts. The materials used are important to the quality of the finished product.
Peter is preparing the exiles to be effective Kingdom builders while they’re on the run from persecution. Even though they’re on the run, they’ve been given all they need from those past and are building a legacy of their own for those yet to come. They just need to run towards Christ and His mission as scripture has always taught. It doesn’t matter where your head rests, you are still and always a Kingdom builder, which means that they are (and us too) an integral part of God’s plan. They just need to live with a few key things in mind so they can build well.
You Have Everything You Need
My parents’ Bible class was called “Living Stones” and I always thought it meant because they were old. Nope. To be a living stone (Peter calls the Christians “stones” 5 times in this passage, with a 6th by using the word rock) says nothing of age, but everything about your purpose. The Greek word “lithon” means a smaller, moveable stone used for building material (BibleHub). This denotes that the exiles were a construction material that is built on the foundation and can be built on upon to fit and hold firm. It sounds like Peter might be calling these people drywall mud. They weren’t there to be old, but to support the construction of God’s Kingdom.
To do this, he is telling them they have everything they need. Centering this passage is Christ, the cornerstone who is chosen and precious. We have Him, that means we can build – the foundation is set, for He is the One who was rejected and causes offense, but whomever believes in Him shall not be ashamed. Because of that, you (the exiles) are a strong material that Jesus is using to build His church – the spiritual house where is holy priests offer sacrifices acceptable to God. But the construction isn’t of mortar and wood, but flesh and blood. It is us together as people (holy because of God in us through Holy Spirit) make up the church, not a building. Our sacrifice is being a witness of His grace, working in the harvest to show people that Jesus is the best option for them – explain that this is how we have everything we need in the people here today to gather and be His church!! This is why He set you apart (sanctification) and chose you for His own possession – to proclaim the excellencies of God through your lives!
You Are Being Watched
Our behavior matters, because as Matt 5:14-16 tells us, the point of light is to be seen. God wants you to be seen. You are to be looked at and you should expect to be watched. A new Looney Tunes movie opened this weekend, Coyote vs ACME. I don’t know much other than a rather high-octane and silly preview. What I do know is that the movie was completed and canned over 4 years ago only to be shelved by WB. They made a movie and then didn’t let anyone see it. That is, until public outcry led them to finally releasing the movie, which happened Friday. The movie is sitting at a 96% approval rating at Rotten Tomatoes – this was a movie that was made to be seen! Peter’s commands to abstain from passions of the flesh and keep conduct honorable are so that people, even though they will rebel and act out towards the exiles, will ultimately see their good deeds and glorify God. People are watching your life to see how God changes you. They will push that and fight that, but this is the intentional way God designed for people to be brought into the Kingdom of God.
Next Steps
Who you are matters. What you say matters—especially when you hit your thumb with a hammer. Or when you are late and stuck in traffic and decide if you are going to dangerously cut off another car. Or when that person shoves cardboard in your face looking for money. Or when that one person who’s bothered you for years is now trying to put you down so they can secure the promotion over you. Your actions are vitally important – not to match up with the OT law, but because your behavior choices can help lead to the salvation of people all over! You were made to be seen! You are an integral part of God’s plan of salvation for this world!
- Elevate Christ as the foundational strength of your life. He is your source, make Him your top focus; center your life on Jesus (Heb 12:2)
- Accept that your life is meant to be on display and live out in public, not hidden in your home or only surrounded by Christians
- Seize every encounter with intentionality to be a witness of Jesus
Numerous times I’ve thrown in construction illustrations to highlight our role in building the Kingdom of God. We are not the builder, but the building materials. Jesus uses you by showing you off to this world. Expect to be put on display for all to see. Be the best building material you can be through faith in Christ. You are important to His plan!
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