“You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (v.5)
In Peter’s description of the church, he describes people as “living stones” who are “built up as a spiritual house” with Jesus as the “cornerstone.” From Peter’s perspective, the church is not so much a physical building or even an institution, but people that God is developing and bringing together in Jesus.
It’s important to remember that what makes us as “living stones” fit together in a cohesive unit, is making sure that the cornerstone is in place. In the construction of a building, the cornerstone is set first in the foundation and all the other stones are positioned in reference to it. If the cornerstone is weak or not set in the right place, everything else in the building will be off.
In modern times, our focus can quickly become building bigger facilities or growing an institution, instead of developing people who love and follow Jesus. In such a climate, it is vitally important that the church one calls home is built on the only foundation that can stand the test of time, Jesus. Then, we as “living stones” will be built up as a spiritual house, acceptable to God, with Jesus as our chief cornerstone able to support and develop growth.
The Truth: "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22)
