The Whole Story
1 Peter 2:1-10
In a world obsessed with identity — where
people are constantly asking “Who am I?” and “Where do I belong?” — Peter
reminds us of something far more enduring than personal achievement, cultural
status, or fleeting approval. Writing to believers scattered across the Roman
Empire, many of them marginalized and pressured by a hostile society, Peter
lifts their eyes to the eternal reality of who they are in Christ. He says you
are not defined by your past sins, your present struggles, or your worldly labels.
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession.
But before Peter reminds us of this glorious
identity, he calls us to lay aside the things that distort and poison the
church — malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.
Because to belong to Christ is not only to
receive a new identity, but also to walk in a new way of life.
This passage invites us to consider what it
means to be built on the cornerstone of Jesus Christ, to be shaped into a
spiritual house for God’s glory, and to live as His people in a watching world.
A Living
Stone and a Holy People
1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation — 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4 As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 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.” 7 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,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may
proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His
marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people;
once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
The
Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001
by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. 1 Peter
2:1-10
Discussion Questions
- What does it mean to “crave pure spiritual milk”?
- Peter also calls believers “living stones.” What responsibilities or identity does this metaphor give us as the church?
- What does it mean that we are “... being built into a spiritual house”? Who is doing the building?
- What does it mean for us to offer “spiritual sacrifices” to God?
- How does verse 9 change the way we view ourselves, our purpose, and our future?
Closing Thoughts
1 Peter calls us to live our life focused on
eternity. Knowing that we have been saved from the evil of this world into
God’s family demands a life that seeks to honor God in all things. The purpose
of the church, then, is to be set apart for God as we make Him known. This
means for you as an individual, the very dwelling place of God, the way you
live your life should be a continual sacrifice and offering to God. When we
understand all that we have in Christ, knowing that we are given a new identity
in Him, it changes the way we live.
In what ways are you pursuing holiness in
your life? What is keeping you from proclaiming His excellencies to everyone in
your life?
Identify one person this week to
intentionally love, serve, invite, or share the gospel with. Pray daily for
them and look for open doors to live on missions.
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