The Chief Cornerstone

1 Peter 2: 6-8

Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: where unto also they were appointed.

This morning I was reading a passage from the book, ‘The Desire of Ages.’ It’s about the life of Christ. The passage was from Mark. As I was reading, I began thinking of the application of the above verses.

We have a choice to make. We can come, broken, to the Stone and He will rebuild us.

Or we can choose to continue our own stubborn way, refusing to accept His free gift of salvation, for the forgiveness of sin. Then, He will become the stone that crushes, a ‘stone of stumbling.’

He becomes this when we refuse to obey His foundational law of government, which is the ten commandments.

Many hold the erroneous belief that the law of God has been done away with. There is nothing to support this in the Bible. In fact, we have numerous verses that tell us the law will be kept in heaven. After all, satan was kicked out for breaking the law. God will not allow law-breakers into heaven.

It’s a choice, though. God never forces. Never, not even in matters of worship. (Please remember that when Sunday worship mandates begin to be made.)

We can choose to bring our broken selves to the Great Physician for healing. Or we can choose to ignore the offer of healing/salvation.

When we do this, when we choose NOT to walk in obedience, then Christ becomes a ‘rock of offense.’ He will end up crushing out those who choose not to accept His gift.

This is not God being arbitrary. He has done all He can to provide a way for us to be saved. He cannot change His law. He cannot change the foundation of His government. Sin is abhorrent to Him. Sin cannot exist in the presence of His perfect purity.

This is how He becomes a stumbling rock of offense.

Those who choose to cling to their sins will be consumed at the brightness of His coming.

It’s our choice.

Another perspective on the same choice:

We can meet Him as the ‘Lamb of God.’

Or

We can meet Him as the ‘Lion of Judah.’

I pray that each reader will choose to meet Christ as the Lamb rather than the Lion.

I pray that each reader will choose to fall upon the Rock, rather than to have the Rock fall upon them.

Something to think about.