1 Peter 2:4-12

What does it mean to be a Christian?

Often the term "Christian" can be misunderstood or underappreciated. There is such a grandeur to being a Christian - it's so much more than just a hobby!

Coming to Jesus

The idea of a Christian is completely based on Jesus - if we don't understand Him then how can we understand being a Christian?

A spiritual house

The imagery of a temple here is so important to the readers in that time. The temple represents the meeting of heaven & earth, a place where God's presence can be encountered. But Peter is saying here that Jesus is the temple for us today - He is where we meet with God and have a relationship with Him. We encounter God in Jesus and the opposite is true. As we come to Jesus and united to Him, we become like stones in that temple - that monument to God where He can be encountered. As people encounter us they can encounter God. This building project is still ongoing - more stones are being added, and the building becomes more and more glorious, and more and more people can encounter God.

A Holy Priesthood

Not only are we stones in the temple, but we are priests in it. The priests would represent God to the people of Israel in the temple courts. As loving stones, representatives of God we should hold the same role to those who do not yet believe.

Jesus is represented here as the foundation of the temple - the perfect stone to build on and often He is overlooked. Peter is writing to show people the perfect one who is at the head of God's church.

A Holy people

Those who are the living stones, who have Jesus as their foundation and serve Him and share His gospel, are called a royal priesthood. This title serves two purposes. The first is that we are partners with God in ruling the world perfectly in compassion and humility. The second is that we serve the world around who needs us and needs God.

What Peter is getting at is that this should transform our lives, behaviours, and attitudes to match those of God so the picture of Him in our life is clearer. We don't follow an arbitrary list of rules, but we partner with God in creating the world He intended. To be a Christian is to say yes to His invitation and to follow Him in building this temple to serve the world.