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Jesus is the living Stone who was rejected by humans but chosen by God. This stone that the builders rejected has become the precious cornerstone. We also, like living stones, are being built into one spiritual house. This is why unity and love for one another is so important. We are not being built for only this world; we are to be a holy, set-apart priesthood for the Lord. Those who put their trust in him will never be put to shame.
Because of this living Stone, we have a royal identity in Christ. We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation. We are not ordinary men and women, but God’s very special possession. Although we were once in darkness, because of the shed blood of Jesus and His great love, we now live in His marvelous light. What great mercy and grace He has given! We can now sing of His praises and live our lives to build His kingdom on the earth.
Jan 2, 2026
A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD AND A HOLY NATION
Passage: 1 Peter 2:4-10
Key verse: 9
NIV
chapter 2
4. As you come to him, the living Stone - rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him -
5. 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.
6. 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."
7. Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,"
8. and, "A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message - which is also what they were destined for.
9. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
10. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Prayer: Lord, we thank You for what You have done. You called us out of darkness to be Your own people. We love You, Lord. May we live each day as living stones to sing Your praises and establish Your kingdom on the earth.
One Word: A kingdom of priests and holy nation