Cornerstones and Stumbling Blocks - Pt 2

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.” 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,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. (1 Peter 2:6-8 ESV).

If you have known me for long, you know that one of our special places is the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. We have spent many weeks in the Smokies during all of the seasons of the year. Honestly, I cannot imagine a place more endearing to us. Throughout the park the Little Pigeon River runs through the mountains. There are some places where the water looks shallow and easily navigated. That is often deceiving. The water can be rushing much faster than it appears, and the holes much deeper. Walking across the rocks is most often a very bad idea! Spiritually the same is true. If we disbelieve the “Stone,” we simply cannot win. This is the reason Peter writes about the negative effects of this same stone. For some it is a cornerstone and for others a stumbling stone. He says, "But for those who disbelieve, 'The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very corner stone.'" (v. 7b). Here he's saying that not believing in Jesus is like rejecting the stone that God has laid as the corner stone. God sends his Son to be the main stone in the building of his church, his people. But some do not trust him; they reject him. The effect of that on the purpose of God is clear. It does not defeat God's purpose at all; however, it destroys the unbeliever. The point is: If you believe on this stone, you can't lose; and if you disbelieve on him, you can't win. Human unbelief does not frustrate or defeat the ultimate purposes of God. If God plans for Jesus to be the chief corner stone, humans can betray him, desert him, deny him, mock him, strike him, spit on him, hit him with rods, crown him with thorns, strip him, crucify him, and bury him, but they cannot stop him from being what God destined him to be, the Living Corner Stone of a great and glorious people. The great news is that it is not too late for you. If you are reading this, you can respond to the calling of the Holy Spirit and believe in Him who is the Corner stone of life! Regardless of how badly you may have stumbled; regardless of the injuries you have sustained in your fall; it is not too late to cross the rushing stream before you successfully. Trust in Jesus… He is the Cornerstone for you today!