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The Living Stone

Have you ever collected stones? Perhaps you picked them up one by one, looking at every one for color and shape. Some may have contained pretty flecks that sparkled and caught the light in a special way. Maybe you saved one you liked best for a prized collection. Some of us like to collect pretty gem stones in jewelry. We like the way it looks when we wear it.

In the Scriptures, 1 Peter 2:4 says,

Peter 2:4

"As you come to him, the Living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God precious to him."

Peter the apostle tells us that Jesus Christ is "the" Living Stone. He was rejected by men but chosen by God. Jesus was chosen by God to redeem us and make us living stones in His likeness.

1 Peter 2:5 says,

1 Peter 2:5

"You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

He has chosen us and marked us as precious to Him, just like a beautiful gem stone. The difference is, we are not beautiful on our own, we are beautiful because God made us that way through Jesus' sacrifice.

God is also using us as building blocks in a spiritual house, where we will offer "spiritual sacrifices" to Him. What a very high and honorable position in which He has placed us. God is asking us to pray for others. He is asking that we share His love from this special spiritual house by praying for our fellow human beings in the name of Jesus Christ. We pray with confidence that God always listens to our prayers.

Psalm 116:1

"I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him."

The next time you look at a collection of stones and see the different colors and flecks that they contain, remember that we are living stones. God has chosen us all for the special task of praying for others. God has made us precious and beautiful in our own individual ways. He has made us building blocks with a significant purpose. He has made us stones that are a living tribute to His great mercy and love.

Prayer (words taken from the end of 1 Peter 5)
"Lord, may we be encouraged to stand fast in Your Word and testify of Your true grace. Remind us that we are precious to You and in Your mercy You have chosen us. Bless all who are in Christ with Your peace. Amen."