Part of Something Big

‌1 Peter 2:4–12 “As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up...

as a spiritual house,

to be a holy priesthood,

to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

A People of His Own

But you are...

a chosen race, (genos- distinguished by essence or nature [that of Christ])

a royal priesthood,

a holy nation, (ethnos- distinguished by character, language, culture)

a people for his own possession,

:. that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people;

once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners (foreign house) and exiles (foreigner) to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”

What about when my conduct is not honorable?

confession to God

seek to make things right

live in the forgiveness He gives through the cross. (Not “forgive yourself”)