Living Stones

1 Peter 2:4-5

“As you come to him, the living Stone— rejected by men but chosen by God, and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (NIV)

living stones

being built

“Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor. Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you’ll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God.” (MSG)

for the construction of a sanctuary

vibrant with life 

“So keep coming to him who is the Living Stone—though he was rejected and discarded by men but chosen by God and priceless in God’s sight. Come and be his ‘living stones’ who are continually being assembled into a sanctuary for God. For now you are to serve as holy priests, offering up spiritual sacrifices that he readily accepts through Jesus Christ.” (TPT)

so keep coming 

…to serve

We are living stones being built for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life to serve. Inside our sanctuaries, which are continually being beautified by Christ, we are the priests who keep offering our lovely lives to God. We keep coming. We keep serving. We keep giving. Unceasingly. Because, through Jesus, we will never see the end of God’s great love for us. The Father who loves. The Father who gives. The Father who gave. That’s who we worship, continually. 

So, take that next breath (a deep one) and breathe in His kindness, His goodness and breathe out your life, sacrificed. 

We are living stones serving as holy priests. Humble and radiant as we wash dishes and fold laundry and scrub sinks and serve wholeheartedly. With laid down lives, we resemble Christ. And that makes God smile. 

May we embrace “life as stones” — building up those around us. May we embrace “priesthood” — laying down our lives so that Christ may be known to those around us. 

May we keep coming to Jesus Christ, our humble and radiant example of a Living Stone & High Priest. He’s shining in His glory. And waiting for you to take His outstretched hand. You’ll shine, too, when you do. You living stone you!