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PRECIOUS STONE
CHRISTIANITY
OASIS HAS PROVIDED YOU WITH THIS PRECIOUS STONE BIBLE STUDY.
MANY HAVE HEARD THE PHRASE PRECIOUS STONE BUT DID YOU KNOW THE
PRECIOUS STONE IS OUR LORD JESUS? LET'S SEEK AND FIND
THE TRUTH OF THE PRECIOUS STONE TOGETHER, SHALL WE?
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER
CHAPTER 2
Nice to have you
back for some more Daily Bread. Last time, we read the introduction of
Peter’s first letter that he wrote to the believing Jewish people, living in
what we know today, as parts of Turkey. Let’s pick up where we left off,
with Peter explaining that they are born again, never more to die, just as
the Word of the Lord is everlasting.
He says, For that
reason, putting away all malice and all dishonesty, and hypocrisy and
jealousy and evil talk, long for the pure milk of the Word, so you may grow
by it, and if you do, you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
What is the
sincere (pure) milk of the Word? Well, milk is what is given to babes. And
you know how, when you’re a child, (or sometimes even as an adult), when you
discover something new, there is a passion inside you about it? The sincere
milk of the Word is like that original passion you felt for the Word of the
Lord (Jesus), when you were born again. You were excited about getting to
know Jesus. You were anxious to learn all you could about Him. Peter is
saying, long for that, keep it, live it, and if you do, you’ve experienced
the kindness of God.
And like at Jesus’
coming, as a living stone, rejected of men, but chosen by God, and precious,
you also, as living stones are being built as a spiritual house, a holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by (through)
Jesus Christ. It also says in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion for a
foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure
foundation. He that believes shall not make haste (be forced to flee).
Isaiah 28:16
To you who
believe, Jesus is precious. But to the unbeliever, Jesus is the stone that
the builders rejected. That same stone is made the head of the corner, and a
stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense to those who stumble at the Word,
being disobedient, to which they were appointed.
Isaiah 8:14
Just look at
this literally for a moment. For those who believe in Jesus, He is a
precious Stone. Not in the sense of being a jewel, but as a building block.
He’s the foundation of everything. He holds everything together. He makes
you strong. Without Him built into your life, your house (world) would
crumble all around you. Now, for the unbeliever, it’s a different story. The
builders (unbelievers) rejected this Stone. They cast it away, not accepting
it. Now this Stone is made the head of the corner, which is the most
important Stone in the structure, and at the same time, to the unbeliever,
it is a stone that they stumble over, like an obstruction to belief or
understanding, and they turn away from what God had in mind for them. Let’s
continue now with Peter’s letter.
But you are a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, God’s own people; and you
should announce the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into
His marvelous light. In the past you weren’t even a nation, but now you’re
the people of God, a people who had not received mercy, but now have
obtained mercy (Hosea
2:23).
Dearly beloved, I
beg you, as strangers and pilgrims (one who journeys in alien lands),
refrain from fleshly desires, which war against the soul, having your manner
of living honest among the Gentiles, that since they call you evildoers,
they may, by your good works, which they shall see, glorify God in the day
of judgment.
In other words,
Peter is saying, be a good example to the Gentiles. Let them see that you’re
righteous, and maybe they’ll follow your example and their souls will be
saved on Judgment Day.
Submit yourselves
to every ordinance of man (regulations, laws, etc.) for the Lord’s sake,
whether it be to the king, as superior, or to governors. Think of them as
those who are sent by the Lord for the punishment of evildoers, and for the
praise of those who do right. Because this is the will of God, that with
well-doing you may put to silence, the ignorance of foolish men, as free,
and not using your freedom for a covering of maliciousness, but as the
servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Respect the
king.
Servants, be
subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle
masters, but also to the harsh. Because it is commendable, if a man for
righteousness toward God, endures grief, suffering wrongfully (Matthew
5:10). How honorable is it, if when you’re beaten for your wrongdoing,
that you accept it patiently? But if when you do right, and suffer for it,
and you accept it patiently, this is commendable with God.
To this were you
called, because Christ also suffered on our behalf, leaving us an example,
that you should follow in His steps,
Who did no sin
Neither was dishonesty found in His mouth,
Who when He was reviled, He didn’t revile back,
When He suffered, He didn’t threaten, but committed
Himself to God, who judges righteously,
Who His own self, bare our sins in His own body on the
tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live righteously,
By whose stripes (scars of whippings) you were healed.
For you were like
sheep going astray, but are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your
souls.
Now don’t
forget, Christianity was a new thing back then, and if you were Jewish,
knowing that your own people persecuted and killed Jesus, had to be pretty
controversial for many. Peter knew this, and his encouragement to the Jewish
people was sure to be welcomed. It’s really no different in our world today.
It’s not so much a matter of loyalty to your ethnic background as it is
simply whether you’re a believer or not. Unbelievers are affecting our
schools, our governments, our rights, and the list goes on. We must be good
examples, and live within the law, but as servants of God, and being
righteous in His eyes will always be the most important way to abide.
Come on back real
soon, and we’ll continue with our study of this first letter of Peter, next
time, right here at Daily Bread.
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