Privileges of Believers
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. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,” and, “A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
1 Peter 2:4–8
What are some of the privileges or honors that believers have as worshipers of God?
Throughout Scripture, God seeks to inform believers about how truly special and privileged they are. In Ephesians 1:3, we have every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. In Romans 8:17, we are co-heirs with Christ. In the beatitudes the Kingdom of Heaven is ours and ours alone (Matt 5:3-11). After the beatitudes we are called the salt and light of the earth (v. 13, 14). God wants his children to know how special they are, so they can live out this high calling and these high privileges. We must continually renew our minds to know what God has done in us (Rom 12:2). This is especially important in a world that cannot properly evaluate our worth and in fact persecutes us.
First Peter 2:4-8 is no different. This passage trumpets the honor and privileges of Christians. In fact, when it says in verse 7: “Now to you who believe this stone is precious”, almost all commentators disagree with this translation. It is better translated: “So the honor is for you who believe” as in the ESV.
There are many honors and privileges that come to those who believe in Christ. No doubt Peter wrote this to encourage the saints who are being persecuted for their faith. Peter not only describes the believers’ privileges in Christ but also talks about those who reject Christ and “stumbled over him.” The beauty of these believers is shown as more glorious against the backdrop of those who stumble and dishonor Christ. Believers should stand in awe at the overflowing grace in their lives from God.
In fact, the privileges that are talked about in this passage would be even more wonderful to Jewish believers who would see the Old Testament analogies of Israel being shown in the church.
Big Question: What are some of the honors and privileges we have as Christians according to 1 Peter 2:4–8?
Believers Have the Privilege of Continually Coming to Christ
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him.
1 Peter 2:4
The phrase “as you come to him” is a present participle that has the meaning of “as you continually come to him.” This is not just salvation, but coming to Christ in worship, prayer, and through the Word of God on a daily basis.
We have the right to come to “the living stone” that was rejected by men, but was chosen by God and precious to him. The word precious really means “there is nothing like him.” That is our privilege. We have the right to continually come to Christ and God through him. Listen to what Hebrews 4:15-16 says:
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (emphasis mine).
Because our Savior can understand and sympathize, this should encourage us to continually approach his throne to receive mercy and grace.
This is a tremendous privilege. Let us not neglect times of prayer, for they are not a burden but a great privilege. It is at his throne that we find mercy, forgiveness for our sins, and grace to help us. What is keeping you from enjoying this precious privilege?
Application Question: What things commonly keep you or other believers from using this privilege of continually coming to Christ?
Believers Have the Privilege of Being Built into the House of God
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 (emphasis mine).
1 Peter 2:5
In this text, we are compared to living stones that are being built into a house. We are living stones because Christ is the first living stone—the foundation of the house (v. 6). The paradox of a “living” stone is seen simply in comparison to the Old Testament house of God, the temple that was made of dead stones.
In the New Covenant, God’s temple is the living people of God. This is what 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 said:
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body (emphasis mine).
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and God lives in you?
Application Question: What applications can we take from believers being living stones “being built into a spiritual house” or the temple of God?
There are several applications we can take from this privilege of being the temple of God.
1. Because we are the temple of God, we need one another.
The Scriptures does not support the concept of lone-ranger Christians. We were never called to walk this life alone. We need one another. Paul says the same thing in 1 Corinthians 12. He says: “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’” (1 Cor 12:21)
A brick is of little use by itself. It can only be used for minimal things, however its usefulness is maximized when used alongside other bricks. Similarly, apart from one another, we cannot complete the mission God has called for us either individually or corporately. Are you walking apart from other living stones in the house of God?
2. Because we are the temple of God, we must recognize that the building of the temple is not complete yet; it is a continual process.
We are being built up into the house of God (v. 5). The word being in this passage means we are not where we need to be yet. This reminds us that this work is a process like the building of any house. We should not be discouraged when we see sin or failure in the church. We should be careful about the desire to quit or to give up on ourselves. We should be careful about the desire to quit or give up on others. It’s a process. God is not done with us yet. We are being built into a spiritual house.
How does this process of being built into a spiritual house work, especially as we constantly see the disunity in our families and church bodies?
We are growing into this spiritual house as we continually “come to him” (v. 4). This process of growing more unified can be seen in the illustration of the triangle. Individual members of the church are on both sides of the triangle, with Christ at the peak, and as we continually come to Christ, we get closer to one another.
If we focus on getting closer to Christ, we will continually find more intimacy and joy with the members of God’s house. But the person who focuses less on his time with God, will find more to complain about, more to be upset about. Often, in counseling believers in discord, all one has to ask is, “How is your time in the Word and prayer?” If you are not aiming at the pinnacle of the triangle who is Christ, then you will find yourself farther away from other believers. Instead of building the house of God, you will find yourself breaking down the house. We must continually come to Christ in order to properly build the house of God.
3. Because we are the temple of God, everything we do can be worship.
One of the things that being the temple of God remind us of is our capacity to worship. In the Old Testament, Israel had to travel to the temple in Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to the Lord; they were restricted by time and space. However, in the New Covenant, we are not. We are not restricted by time and space—everything we do can be worship because we are the temple of God. In fact Paul says this: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31). Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. Even our eating and drinking can be worship to God.
4. Because we are the temple of God, we must be holy.
In the Old Testament, everything in the temple was set apart as holy, even the drinking cups. Now that we are the house of God, we also must be holy in every regard. We learn a little more about this concept from Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:16, 17: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (emphasis mine).
I think this text reflects our need of to be holy. Paul prays for them to be strengthened in the inner man so Christ “may dwell” in their hearts. The interesting thing is that Christ was already dwelling in their hearts because they were Christians. What then is he referring to?
There are two words for dwell in the original language. One means “to dwell as a visitor,” and the other means “to dwell as a resident.” In this passage the word dwell is referring to the latter—Christ being at home in them.
I think in many churches and in the lives of many believers, Christ is not at home. He feels like a visitor. That’s why Paul prays for them so Christ could be at home. In the lives of many Christians, Christ feels like a visitor because their lives aren’t fully under his control. He isn’t consulted about their entertainment or their friendships. He isn’t treated as an owner but as a visitor. That’s why Paul commands them later in the book to not “grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30).”
We can grieve the Spirit by our language, our thoughts and actions. Therefore, we must seek to make Christ at home in our lives and our churches by the practice of holiness. This is a proper application to the church being the household of God. Let Christ be at home in our lives and our fellowship.
Application Question: What things is Christ calling you to do in order for him to be more at home in your life and in your local church?
Believers Have the Privilege of Being Priests and Offering Sacrifices to God
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 (emphasis mine).
1 Peter 2:5
Peter says one of our privileges is to be priests of God. The primary audience of Peter was probably Jewish Christians since he was an apostle to the Jews, and therefore, them being called priests would have been especially significant to them. Priests came from the line of Levi, specifically the lineage of Aaron. They were chosen by God to pray for the people and to offer sacrifices for their sins. Anyone who tried to do the job of a priest without being one, was judged by God. We see this with King Uzziah, whom God smote with leprosy (2 Chr 26:16–21), and King Saul, whom God judged by removing the monarchy from his family (1 Sam 13:8–14). The priesthood was a special office.
Interpretation Question: What similarities are there between Christians as priests and Old Testament priests?
1. Christians are chosen by God just as the priests were in the Old Testament. Aaron and his sons were chosen to be priests for Israel.
2. Christians, as priests, have been purified by the sprinkling of blood of Christ (Eph 1:7) just as the Old Testament priest was sprinkled by the blood of animals (Lev 8:23). This symbolizes being set apart and cleansed to serve God.
3. Christians are called to offer prayers for the church and the world in the same way Old Testament priests offered prayers on behalf of the people (1 Tim 2:1–4). Samuel declared it was a sin to not pray for the nation of Israel (1 Sam 12:23).
4. Christians are anointed with power by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). Similarly, the Old Testament priests were anointed with oil and the Holy Spirit (Lev 8:30).
5. Christians have access to God in a similar way to Old Testament priests. However, Christians have continual access, where in the Old Covenant only the high priest could enter God’s presence and only once a year.
6. Christians are called to offer sacrifices to God (1 Pet 2:5), even as Old Testaments priests offered sacrifices. However, Chritians offer “spiritual” sacrifices such as worship and prayer instead of physical ones like animals and grain.
As priests of God, one of the tremendous privileges we have is to offer spiritual sacrifices to God. What are these spiritual sacrifices?
Interpretation Question: What are the spiritual sacrifices we offer to God?
1. The surrendering of our bodies in service to God is a spiritual sacrifice.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship” (Rom 12:1).
2. Praise is a spiritual sacrifice to God.
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name” (Heb 13:15).
3. Righteous acts are spiritual sacrifices to God.
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Heb 13:16).
4. Giving is a spiritual sacrifice to God.
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Heb 13:16).
5. Evangelism of the lost is a spiritual sacrifice.
But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit (emphasis mine).
Romans 15:15–16
6. Sacrificial love for the saints is spiritual sacrifice.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma (emphasis mine).
Eph. 5: 1–2
7. Prayer is a spiritual sacrifice.
Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.”
Acts 10:4
Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand.
Revelation 8:3–4
Are there any other applications to the priesthood of believers?
Many times in Christian churches, ministry is reserved for those who are “ordained” such as pastors and deacons. However, the priesthood of believers means that we should all be doing the work of ministry. In fact, pastors are given for the very purpose of preparing the church for the work of ministry (Eph 4:12).
There is nothing in Scripture that forbids each believer from doing such things as baptism, the Lord’s Supper, public prayer or teaching one another the word. In the New Covenant, these are not reserved for any special class of believers. They are given to disciples. The church is often hindered from being as effective as it can, because ministry is left to the few—the “ordained.” The priesthood of believers denies this common practice.
Now this doesn’t mean anybody can serve in the role of pastor or deacon. There are specific qualifications given for those types of roles as seen in 1 Timothy 3. But as a general principle, the priesthood of believers means that each believer should be offering the spiritual sacrifices that Scripture commands.
Application Question: What practices, if any, should be left only for those who are “ordained” to ministry? How would you support your conclusion with Scripture?
Believers Have the Privilege of Sharing in the Honor of 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 (emphasis mine).
1 Peter 2:6-8 (ESV)
Another privilege we have as believers is sharing in Christ’s honor and that we “will never be put to shame” (v. 6). What does this mean?
Certainly, as believers and pilgrims in this world, there will be times when we are mocked for our beliefs and persecuted. This verse is not a promise that we will not have trials or times when people mock us. However, it does promise that we will never be ultimately put to shame. God will always use everything we go through for our ultimate good (Rom 8:28). In fact, the believer will have honor instead of shame. The ESV says “So the honor is for you who believe (v.7).
However, there is considerable debate over verse 7. It can also be translated “Now to you who believe this stone is precious” in the NIV. Listen to what Wayne Grudem says about this passage:
The RSV translation To you therefore who believe, he is precious (based on the AV and followed, surprisingly, by the NIV, and apparently NASB), is an extremely unlikely understanding of the Greek text and is criticized by almost every major commentator. The Greek sentence contains no verb and rather literally says, “Therefore the honour to you, the believers.” It is quite natural to understand the verb “to be” (as commonly in Gk. sentences), so that the sentence reads, “Therefore the honour is to you, the believers”
Not only will believers never ultimately be put to shame, but when Christ comes, we will be honored before all. We will share in his glory. Listen to this story about two missionaries returning from Africa, which helps illustrate this truth.
An old missionary couple had been working in Africa for years and were returning to New York to retire. They had no pension; their health was broken; they felt defeated, discouraged, and afraid.
As the trip began, they discovered they were on the same ship as President Teddy Roosevelt, who was returning from one of his big-game hunting expeditions.
No one paid any attention to them. They watched the fanfare that accompanied the President’s entourage, with passengers trying to catch a glimpse of the great man. As the ship moved across the ocean, the old missionary said to his wife, “Something is wrong.”
“Why should we have given our lives in faithful service for God in Africa all these many years and have no one care a thing about us? Here this man comes back from a hunting trip and everybody makes much over him, but nobody gives two hoots about us.”
“Dear, you shouldn’t feel that way,” his wife said.
He replied “I can’t help it; it just doesn’t seem right.”
When the ship docked in New York, a band was waiting to greet the President. The mayor and other dignitaries were there. The papers were full of the President’s arrival. No one noticed the missionary couple. They slipped off the ship, disappeared in the crowd, and found a cheap flat on the East Side, hoping the next day to see what they could do to make a living in the city.
That night the man’s spirit broke. He said to his wife, “I can’t take this; God is not treating us fairly.” His wife replied, “Why don’t you go in the bedroom and tell that to the Lord?”
A short time later he came out from the bedroom, but now his face was completely different. His wife asked, “Dear, what happened?”
The Lord settled it with me. I told Him how bitter I was that the President should receive this tremendous homecoming, when no one met us as we returned home. And when I finished, it seemed as though the Lord put His hand on my shoulder and simply said; “You’re not home yet.”
(Author Unknown)
Here on this earth, we may suffer for our faith, we may be mocked, but we will never ultimately suffer shame. We will be honored before all when we get home to heaven. We will be honored before the world and before all creation. Listen to what Paul says in Romans 8:19: “The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.” When it says creation waits in “eager expectation,” it gives the picture of creation “standing on their tippy-toes.” Creation, who has been subjected to the curse, is waiting for the sons of God to be revealed so it can be set free.
As a dog lover, when I read the word picture of creation standing on their tippy-toes, I think back to my dogs at my parent’s house. My mom was a breeder, so we always had about five small dogs in the house. Every time we would come home, the dogs would literally be on their tippy-toes at the door, barking and smiling. They were standing on the tippy-toes waiting for us.
In the same way, creation groans and waits for us. One day, there will be honor and privilege when we stand before God and creation. This was important for these suffering Christians to hear. Yes, they were being despised by society, hated without cause, and it would seem that their lot in life was shame. However, those who put their faith in Christ will never ultimately be put to shame. One day, they will be honored before all and share in the glory of Christ.
Application Question: How does it make you feel to consider the honor that awaits believers? How can we apply this reality on a daily basis?
Dishonor for the Unbelievers
Next, Peter spends some time talking about those who do not believe. In the same way a diamond’s beauty is most clear against a dark surface, the glory of Christ and believers is most evident against the destiny of unbelievers. Peter says for those who believe, there is honor, but for those who have not believed in Christ, the capstone, there will be dishonor. Listen to what he says:
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,” and, “A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for (emphasis mine).
1 Peter 2:7–8
The picture is of an ancient building construction site. Often the rocks were chosen before they were even brought to the site. The builders would look at each rock and if the dimensions were not perfect, it was discarded. This is what the world did with Christ. However, this rock that was rejected, later became the cornerstone, the most important stone.
The cornerstone is the stone ground between two walls. It is used to get perfect angles for the rest of the house. You build off of the cornerstone; it sets the direction for the entire building. Christ was the rock that was discarded which became the rock that was needed most. The world has rejected this rock which everyone must build their house upon in order to withstand God’s judgment.
Interpretation Question: Why does the world discard Christ the cornerstone?
The world rejected him because he did not come in the manner they desired him to. The Jews rejected him because he came as a suffering servant, instead of a conquering king. The Greeks rejected him because a God that became man and died for the world was utter foolishness to them (1 Cor 1:23).
Many in the world today often reject Christ simply because he declared there is no other way to heaven and because he demands total lordship of their lives. Following Jesus Christ is too narrow a path and they refuse to follow it. They want a god who submits to their will, and therefore, reject the Savior on which they are called to build their lives upon. For them, Peter declares only dishonor waits, because they have not properly valued the capstone. Without this capstone no building can stand (Matt 7:24-29).
Finally, Peter gives a further reason why unbelievers cannot properly appraise Christ and instead stumble over him. He says they stumble because they were “destined” for this (v. 8). They were destined to reject Christ.
Interpretation Question: What does the phrase “they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for” mean? Did God elect some to be eternally damned?
The Doctrine of Reprobation
It is very clear that God chose some to be saved before time who will receive honor. The doctrine of election and predestination are seen clearly throughout Scripture. Look at what Paul says:
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves (emphasis mine).
Ephesians 1:4–6
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified (emphasis mine).
Romans 8:29–30
The doctrine of election is communicated throughout Scripture but not without controversy. The primary controversy has been the question, “Why did God elect some? Did he elect simply based on his sovereign right or because he knew the elect would believe?” I believe Scripture clearly communicates that God elects because of his sovereign right (Romans 9:19, 20). However, as if election wasn’t controversial enough, another aspect of election is reprobation. Did God, in the same way, choose for some to be eternally damned?
By necessity, the doctrine of God electing some to salvation means that some had to be passed over. This is called reprobation—God passing over some for salvation. But the question is, “Did God elect these people to be damned?”
There are those who believe that in the same way God elected some to eternal life, he elected others to be eternally damned. This is called double predestination, or some may call it hyper-calvinism. Is there any support for this?
First of all, Scripture never uses the word elect for those who were passed over in salvation. Therefore, double predestination is not a helpful term because it necessitates that God handles election and reprobation in the same way. The term elect is used for those who were chosen for salvation before the beginning of time and not for those who were passed over. Therefore, Scripture doesn’t teach that God elected some to damnation.
There is no need to elect the lost, for all mankind is under the judgment of God’s wrath for sin. But, there is a need to elect some people to salvation from those who deserve judgment. With that said, there is obviously a sense in which those who were passed over were predetermined before time. Look at what Romans 9:22 says: “What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction (emphasis mine)?” This text clearly says that there is a way in which these people were “prepared for destruction.” Listen to what Jude said:
For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord (emphasis mine).
Jude 1:4
Jude talks about these false teachers whose condemnation was written about long ago. This seems to be referring to a time before creation. Look again at 1 Peter 2:8: “And, ‘A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.’ They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for (emphasis mine).”
Peter also talks about those who stumble over the message of the gospel, which they were destined for. Therefore, we must recognize that there is some sense in which even those who choose not to obey God are part of his plan before time.
Paul teaches God works all things in conformity with to the counsel of his plan in Ephesians 1:11: “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will” (emphasis mine).
Does “everything” include the destruction of the lost? Proverbs declares that even the destruction of the wicked is part of God’s plan. “The LORD works out everything for his own ends—even the wicked for a day of disaster” (Prov 16:4).
Interpretation Question: Why would God plan to allow sinful men to disobey him as part of his plan in the first place? What is the benefit or purpose?
It seems the purpose is for his glory. There is a sense in which God brings glory to himself by showing his mercy to those who have sinned and yet are elected, while in another way he receives glory by bringing his wrath on those who have sinned. Look at what Scripture says about Pharaoh in Romans 9:17: “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth (emphasis mine).”
In the case of Pharaoh, God hardened his heart for the purpose of God’s name being proclaimed throughout the earth. Listen to what else Paul says about God’s “objects of wrath” in Romans 9:22: “What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction” (emphasis mine)?
Paul says God chose to show his wrath and make his power known by his destruction of the wicked. Ultimately, everything he does is for his glory. In fact, it should be noted that with the fallen angels, he did not choose to show grace to any of them. They all received justice—his wrath. If we consider what is fair, it must be realized justice would require that he show mercy to none. But because God is a God of justice and mercy, he elects some and sovereignly passes over others in order to show his glory.
This is a very difficult doctrine, but there is scriptural support for it. By necessity, when God elected some before time, he passed over others. However, the process is different. The lost are not elect; they are sovereignly passed over in the counsel of God’s will. It may seem unfair to us, but what is ultimately fair resides in the counsel of God because he defines justice and goodness (Psalms 100:5). The best thing is for God to receive glory.
The nations of the earth feared God because of his destruction and judgment upon Pharaoh (Josh 2:9–11). God raised him up for that purpose so that many could see God’s glory and fear him. In the same way, even though there is sin and evil in the world, our God will ultimately use this for his glory as well.
Application Question: Is it fair for God to choose some for salvation and to pass over others? What are your thoughts about the doctrine of reprobation?
Conclusion
Peter writes this section on the honor and privileges of the believer in order to encourage the saints. Oftentimes as Christians we accept what the world says about us, to our discouragement and demise. However, God continually shows us in Scripture how special we are. Zephaniah 3:17 says, he will take great delight in us and quiet us with his love, he will rejoice over us with singing. Believers are special and God has given us many great and wonderful privileges.
What are our privileges as saints of God?
1. Believers have the privilege of continually coming into the presence of Christ. Let us avail ourselves of this daily through prayer, study of the Word, and the Christian community, for it is our greatest honor.
2. Believers have the privilege of being built into a house of God. We need one another, a brick has very little usefulness by itself. Also, because we are the house of God, we should be a holy place, set apart for God’s worship. Everything we do can be worship because we are his temple.
3. Believers have the privilege of being priests that offer spiritual sacrifices. We should labor in prayer for others; we should serve others as priests in order to please and honor our God.
4. Believers have the privilege of sharing in the honor of Christ. The glory given to Christ by God has been given to us (John 17:22). Though rejected by the world, along with Christ, we must rejoice in the coming honor and glory. We are co-heirs with Christ, and therefore, recipients of the coming kingdom. This honor shines even brighter against the destiny of the lost.
Let us give glory to God for our great and awesome privileges. Thank you Lord.
Copyright 2014 Gregory Brown
