DAY 18
BIBLE READING: 1 Peter 2: 4-10
Peter must have loved the name which Christ gave him. Do you remember it? In John 1:42 Christ called him Cephas, which means a stone. Now in his epistle Peter uses this word several times, first in regard to Christ and then in regard to us as Christians.
When used for Christ this word reminds us of his unchanging faithfulness. When used about us, it seems Peter is saying that what Christ has done for him (Peter) he can do for us. Christ can make us like himself. The Old Testament writers often spoke about God as the Rock in which they could hide and from which the water came.
Christ is called a living stone in verse 4 and 6-8. That stone (Christ) might be rejected by some men, or be a stumbling block to others, but in God's sight it is very precious. God has honoured Christ in every possible way.
God has honoured us, his children, too. He has made us part of the living church. We are not just bricks lying alone or in a heap. As believers we are built into the whole framework of the church. There is no place in the New Testament for Christians who always want to be alone and not in fellowship with others.
God has also made us priests. Isn't that wonderful? We were rebellious sinners, but God has now given us the privilege of serving him as priests. A priest is one who has access to God on behalf of others. Every Christian has the duty and privilege of bringing others to God in prayer, as well as personally inviting them to come to God.
A priest is one who brings offerings to God. Our offerings today are not animals, or birds or grain. But God looks to us to bring our own selves and offerings of thanksgiving, praise, service and worship. See Romans 12:1-2.
Remember God wants to use us to show others that he can save the sinner and keep the saint. Can others see this in our lives today?
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