Living Stones

If Christ is the Cornerstone of the Church, then what are Christians?

The Bible says we are like “living stones…being built up as a spiritual house” (1 Pet 2:5). Christians are called to be founded upon Christ, coming together as a solid communion in him. When each of us has a part and a function in the church, we show that we are a fitting spiritual house for the Lord.

That is what God wants us to be. For just as the grand temple at Jerusalem used to be the place of God’s presence on earth, now God dwells in his holy church. By his Spirit He dwells in us as a spiritual house, one that is made up of many “stones.”

As Christians, we should not be content to be apart from our fellow believers. Nor can we remain in small groups, only comfortable with the few others who share our opinions and interests. After all,

You can’t build a house out of a handful of stones, or only a few 2x4s!

Scripture says that it takes everyone, all together. This is what the Apostles’ Creed calls “the communion of saints.”

This means that Christians are called to gather regularly with each other for worship.

This means Christians ought to know each other well, so that they can pray for each other and help each other in times of need.

A church thrives when its members are united in a Christ-like Spirit: showing hospitality, being generous, and encouraging one another. Such a church also opens her doors toward others in order to share Christ’s gospel with them.

In this way, the holy house of God will be built up further, one stone at a time, for the glory of his great name.

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Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 2:1-10

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for your church-building work. You are pleased to use humble stones for forming your church here on earth. May we all rest on Christ alone, and rest on him together. Amen.