A Church of Sinners Built on the Cornerstone of Christ
“Am I good enough?” A question we all ask at times, and some of us – no doubt – more than others. For some, the answer will be a confident “Yes,” as you appreciate all you have and are. For many more of us, however, the answer will likely be a “No,” or “I don’t know.” There are many reasons we give ourselves this more negative answer. We may feel guilty about a particular event or that we performed inadequately at a specific time. It may be lagging self-esteem or self-confidence, and/or perfectionism may drive you to believe that your performance is only acceptable if it is flawless. While our weaknesses and past sins can add frailty and timidity to the way we see ourselves, Christ's blessing and leadership have enabled us to be a great possession for Him in His church. Seeing that God loves and values us despite our imperfections is essential. We are His creation; through Him, we can always accept ourselves and appreciate the value of every sibling in Christ.
I was inspired to write this blog post today as an old friend contacted me a couple of weeks ago and said she intended to write a book. The subject of this book was the privilege we have in the church, in that God has made the church full of sinners (repentant ones), and intentionally so! Intrigued, I wanted to explore the subject further.
I headed this blog post, “A Church of Sinners Built on the Cornerstone of Christ,” because, while we are the body, it is essential to know Christ is the foundation (cf. Ps. 118:22; Is. 28:16; Mk. 12:10; Acts 4:10-12; Eph. 12:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:4-8). Christ is the head of the church (cf. 1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:15-16; 5:23; Col. 1:18), He enabled the new covenant of the Holy Spirit (cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8-10; 8:8-12; 10:15-17), and He is our Savior. Whatever happens to you in this life, as there will be pain and trying times in a fallen world, it is critical to remember that the foundation and structure Christ has provided through His sacrifice on the cross means that if you remain truly faithful to Him, then nothing can harm you eternally (e.g. Jn. 3:16; Rom 1:17).
The Lord’s Prayer (Mt. 6:9-13; Lk 11:2-4), among other passages (e.g. Ps. 40:6-8; Is 50:5; Mt. 26:39, 42; Mk. 14:36; Jn. 5:30; 6:38), highlights the importance of God’s will. This serves as a critical point of meditation and reflection for us; we should be aiming for God’s will to be our will so that our hearts, minds and actions are in sync. In John 4:34, Jesus states, “My food … is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (NIV). Similarly, we are responsible for taking up our cross and following Him (cf. Mt. 16:24-28). John 14:6 states that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. As Christians, this means that our ways, truth and lives are and must be found in Him and compared to His teachings and instruction.
In response to this teaching, it would be natural to acknowledge that we are imperfect and make mistakes; we are sinners. What’s more, we don’t always know with certainty what God’s will is. In these instances, it is important to enquire and pursue an understanding of His will; prayer and Scripture are valuable tools. Purity in our discernment is also critical, as greed for personal gain can easily compromise our judgment.
We see in the Old Testament that David, a man after God’s own heart, “inquired of the Lord” on many occasions (e.g. 1 Sam. 23:2; 30:8; 2 Sam. 2:1; 5:19, 23; 1 Chr. 14:10, 14). To illustrate the opposite, Joshua 9:14 showed that it is important not to become lackadaisical, as deception and misinterpretation are always possible, even for leaders. Isaiah 30:1-2ff. furthers this point as Judah, with a rebellious heart, did not consult God but went directly against His word (Exod. 13:17; Deut. 17:16) and allied with Egypt, assuming they would be the next superpower. This was short-lived and a poor decision, as it was Babylon, not Egypt who superseded Assyria.[1] Conclusion: It is important to enquire of God’s will regarding important decisions in our lives with a devoted and faithful heart.
If, for whatever reason, we remain uncertain, then we can pray for God’s will and look to make the best decision possible. As well as logic, we can also look to Scripture and our conscience and pray for the Spirit’s guidance in our discernment as we look to make the best decision possible. Remember, we can only do our best. Look to Christ and His teachings. Follow Him and do your best.
It is interesting that even zealous, dedicated, and revered men in Scripture sometimes got it wrong. Peter, for instance, denied Jesus three times, even after claiming he had the strength and faith to die with and for Him (Mt 26:33-35, 69-75; Mk 14:27-31, 66-72; Lk. 22:31-34, 54-62). He also lacked faith when following the command he requested to walk on water (Mt. 14:28-29), self-control when cutting off the high priest’s servant, Malchus’ right ear (Jn. 18:26-27), and understanding when interpreting some of Jesus’ parables (e.g. Mt 15:15). However, despite Peter’s confusion of Jesus’ teachings, he had it revealed to him that Jesus was the Messiah (cf. Mt 16:16-19; Mk 8:29; Lk. 9:20). Also, despite his denial of knowing Jesus, Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail (Lk 22:32), and he revealed himself first to Peter (i.e. Simon/Cephas; Lk 24:34; 1 Cor 15:5) after His resurrection.
After Satan’s demand to “sift”/challenge/try Peter (reminiscent of Job 1-2), Jesus prays for Peter, and instructs him after “turning back” to strengthen his brothers. This shows purpose and place being given to one who has fallen short and repented.[2] Joel Green valuably notes that “Satan is not only the accuser, as though his only aim were to detect faithlessness; rather, he inspires faithlessness”.[3] With this being the case, it is crucial to keep a strong faith and a healthy and devoted heart. Later, Peter wisely stated,
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:6–11, NIV)
Christ is our cornerstone, He is our Savior, and He is the head of the church. As created beings and sinners, it is critical to appreciate the role and model that Christ has provided for us, both as human beings and as Christians. We must appreciate the unique gifts and blessings He has given to each of us so that we can live and serve selflessly like He did for us. One of the greatest passages illustrating God’s willingness and intention of building the church on and with ourselves as sinners is 1 Peter 2:1-11, which reads:
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.
11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:1–12, ESV)
The opportunity presents for us to be “living stones” (v. 5) in the impregnable house of God. I encourage any and every person reading this post to appreciate the blessing God has given to us and embrace the opportunity! Know that being a Christian is more than joining a club or social group. It is finding a – more accurately, the – truth and purpose for life. Living as a Christian is an expression of appreciation and reciprocation of the selfless love and devotion God has shown for us; it is finding our identity in Him (not the other way around!). Without God, we are random stones without purpose, dedicated to this world in a short and essentially meaningless life of entropy. As living stones in God’s house, we have a purpose, we have value, we are part of something magnificent, we are loved, and our life is meaningful.
[1] See Oswalt, J. N. (1986). The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 1–39. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. and Watts, J. D. W. (2005). Isaiah 1–33 (Revised Edition, Vol. 24). Thomas Nelson, Inc.
[2] Luke 22:32 states that Peter will need “to turn back,” according to Jesus, who uses a verb that commonly appears in Luke-Acts with reference to repentance. See Green, J. B. (1997). The Gospel of Luke (p. 773). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
[3] See Green, J. B. (1997). The Gospel of Luke (p. 772). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
