Scripture to Read: 1 Peter 2:5
In 1 Peter 2:5, God the Father shows us that to follow Christ means to be conformed to His image, "you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." As Jesus was called "a living stone," all followers of Christ are "like living stones." Our Lord calls us to be imitators of Him (Ephesians 5:1); therefore, like living stones, we are part of His household and together, we make up His house. What a great reminder of the importance of the church community in this Christian life. When a person believes in Christ as Lord and Savior (John 3:16), they are set free from the power and penalty of sin and are brought into God's family. The Holy Spirit of God used to come down into God's temple once a year, but now He dwells in us, for we are God's temple (1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Hebrews 10:1-25). The reason the Holy Spirit indwells all believers is so that we would see our identity as a holy priesthood, living a life pleasing to God. As we live out our identity, the spiritual sacrifices we offer are accepted by God because of what Christ has done. All believers must see that God has given us our church community and that He has called us to live for Him and offer our lives for the sake of the gospel. We must live as sacrifices for Christ, knowing the Holy Spirit lives in us to live as the family of God.
Challenge & Application
1. We, as believers, are to be conformed to Christ, imitators of Him; so, how do you imitate Christ each day through your life?
2. Since we are God’s temple, we find our identity in Christ; so, how are you walking in the holiness living in you?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!