Cornerstone (Part 3) – 1 Peter 2:9-10
“7The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” 8and “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. —1 Peter 2:7-8
“But…”
Something is different.
9But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; —1 Peter 2:9
Not to highlight each thought in verse 9, but it is important to view them as a group together which helps us see through the lens of God.
Peter used an Old Testament theme to help make his point. He went back to God’s words to the children of Israel when they left Egypt and were headed to the Promised Land.
5Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel. —Exodus 19:5-6
What made the difference?
10Who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. —1 Peter 2:10
They were
Peter used another Old Testament theme to help make his point. He went back to the prophet Hosea.
9Then God said: “Call his name Lo-Ammi, for you are not My people, and I will not be your God. 10Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ There it shall be said to them, ‘You are sons of the living God.’” —Hosea 1:9-10
Despite the sin and betrayal of his wife, Hosea would compassionately love her. Despite the sin and betrayal of His people, God would compassionately love them. Despite our sin and betrayal, God compassionately loves us.
There was an
Mercy is not getting what is deserved.
1And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
4But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. —Ephesians 2:1-7
Mercy proclaims that the contrast happens
us and not done
us.
23Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; 24But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord. —Jeremiah 9:23-24
14But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. —Galatians 6:14