Identity of a Christian - part 10

1 Peter 2:1-10

Even though the disobedient disallow Jesus Christ as the Messiah, this does not change who Jesus Christ is.  He is the head of the corner.  The cornerstone was very important in the construction of the building.  It may be that in modern buildings the cornerstone is just a symbolic stone, this was not the case in former times.  The cornerstone was set first and all other stones were aligned with that stone.  If that stone was not set square, the building would not be square and not be strong.  This was important in the building of an earthly structure.  How much more important it is in regard to spiritual matters.  If Jesus Christ is not the stone upon which a person is building, they have no foundation.  Jesus spoke of the foolish man who built his house upon the sand.  It may have been easy to get everything levelled at first, but Jesus talks of the storms that arise and how that house could not stand because it was built upon the sand.  However, the one who built his house upon the rock had a firm building.  It could stand the storms.  Unless Jesus Christ is the Rock upon which a person builds their life, their life will crumble.  Their plans will not lead them to a good end. 

Isaiah 28:16

“16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”

 1 Peter 2:8

“8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”

The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ came to provide a blessing to mankind.  We noted already in v.7 that He is precious to those who are saved.  The sad reality is that this same Jesus is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence to those that are disobedient.  The disobedient are those who do not believe.  They hear, but they do not believe.  In our daily lives, we generally do not allow for things to be lying around in the path where we walk.  We try to keep a clear path so that we can walk without getting hurt.  Jesus Christ declared in John 14:6

John 14:6

“6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Jesus Christ is the way.  Those who reject Him will stumble at Him.  He has made Himself known to all mankind.

John 3:16

“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”