As we continue through Peter’s first letter, he’s been talking about growing up into maturity. Now he’s going to change the description to that of a building being built.

As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him…

1 Peter 2:4 NIV

In talking about God’s spiritual building, we’re told that Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone. The cornerstone has to be perfectly square. The rest of the house is straight because of this stone.

Peter tells us that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the church because He is select and valuable. The whole building, all of us, must look to Him for direction.

Paul talks about this building. He says that we are…

…built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Ephesians 2:20-22 NIV

Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh. He is the chief cornerstone. With Him the Old Testament Prophets and the New Testament Apostles form the two sides of the foundation.

The good news is that we also have a part in this structure. How does this work? The above verse from 1 Peter tells us that we come toward Him – THE Living Stone.

He was rejected by mankind but accepted, selected, by God. That makes Him precious, valuable to God the Father.

If we are truly trusting in Him, then we value the Lord as well. That’s why we come toward Him. Our desire is to line ourselves up with His will.

That’s the key to a successful Christian walk. We must value the spiritual house God is building. So I have to ask; is God’s work valuable to you? Is it worth something?

We usually stumble over the question of worth. There is an internal battle between our desire for personal pleasure vs. the worth of serving God. If I value Christ – I come toward Him, lining myself up with His will.

…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.

1 Peter 2:5 NIV

As we work together for the Lord, we’re becoming a spiritual house. We’re a part of the structure of His house.

One thing we have to remember is that God is constructing the house. Jesus said that…

“…I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

Matthew 16:18b NIV

However, He builds it through us. We have to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Word of grace, love, prophecy, and encouragement are all things that build the church. We have to line ourselves up according to God’s plan.

Along with that, we must help others to line themselves up with Christ. We need to show a care one toward another. In this way we proclaim the Gospel of Christ to the world around us.

Question: How well do you see the people of God as a spiritual house?

© 2025 Nick Zaccardi