We are the House of God.

The Church is not a stack of bricks. It’s a spiritual community of disciples gathered around Jesus Christ the Living Stone and Chief Cornerstone. As we keep coming to Him, says Peter, we are constantly being built up around Him as living stones (1 Peter 2:4-5).

The cornerstone is the first stone laid in a building’s foundation. It determines the position of all the other stones. To believe in Jesus, therefore, means to come into alignment with Him and into right relationships with one another.

No stone stands alone. To do so in the name of some grandiose vision is to risk rejection by the Builder. But those who align themselves with Jesus and His Church will share in His life, ministry, and mission to the ends of the earth.

The Church is a Holy Priesthood. Every believer has direct access to God through Jesus. But Peter’s emphasis here is on the corporate priesthood of all believers. Just as no stone stands alone, no priest stands alone.

It is together in unity and in right relationships with God and one another that we fulfil our collective vocation as God’s priests to the world on behalf of all humanity.

What is this priestly vocation? It is to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Not just in holy places on Sundays, but every day and everywhere.

What are these spiritual sacrifices? They include prayer (Psalm 141:2), thanksgiving (Psalm 50:14, 23), praise (Hebrews 13:15), a contrite heart (Psalm 51:17), total allegiance to God (Romans 12:1), good works, sharing with the poor (Hebrews 13:16), holy conduct in the world, and proclaiming the saving work of God to the world (1 Peter 2:9, 12).

These are our collective duties as God’s holy priesthood (JR Michaels). In Wesleyan terms, works of piety and works of mercy.

This is a high and holy vocation. When we fulfil these priestly duties together, we need not fret over our so-called destiny or legacy. We will have our hearts and hands full of spiritual sacrifices. Our individual gifts and callings will flow out of this corporate priesthood.

We are the Household of God. Together!

PrayerWatch

• Calling all stones. What sort of stone are you? Please tick:
  o A stone that the builders rejected
  o A stone that rejected the builders
  o A stone that rejected the Builder Jesus 
  o A stone that the Builder Jesus rejected 
  o A living stone aligned with the Cornerstone
  o A living stone submitted to Jesus’ chosen builders
   
  It’s tempting to blame others, especially leaders, when we feel overlooked, underrated, or slighted in terms of our perceived ministry gifts and calling. Take time to examine yourself. Make sure you’re not a loose stone, a rolling stone, or a stumbling stone.
   

  Pray: Lord Jesus Christ, I know that You have a perfect place for me in the Church You are building. But have I made things difficult for You? Have I rejected Your wise master builders? Have I resisted Your shaping hand?

   
  Show me what kind of stone I have been. Deal with me until I fully submit to Your Master Plan. Chisel off my sharp edges. Grind down my jagged pride. Polish me into a living stone that fits perfectly in place beside my brothers and sisters. Come, Lord Jesus. Build your Church.

• Live the call. Our works of piety must be balanced with works of mercy. Our vertical devotions lead to horizontal duties (Bishop Emeritus Robert Solomon).
   
  Our city is awash with poor and needy migrant workers from Asia. Less visible are the harassed and helpless, the homeless, the mentally-ill, youth-at-risk, and ex-offenders. Will you open your ears to their cries?
   
  Instead of just admiring famous philanthropists in the news, how about becoming one? Philanthropy means love of humanity. For the love of God and for the love of humanity, will you volunteer your time, talent, and treasure to help create a better world for those in need?
   
  Our founding fathers envisioned Singapore as a “democracy of deeds’”… an active citizenry engaged in the community, working together for the public good (Minister Lawrence Wong). Will you work with your MP to befriend the underprivileged in your community? Lend an ear. Pray with them. Cook them a meal. Clean their house. Be part of God’s solution for their shalom and social mobility. Become their “angel of mercy”. Pray!
   
• Pray for the Singapore Church. Instead of being famous for our beautiful buildings, impressive events, and celebrity pastors, may we be renown for our brokenness over the broken world in which we live. May we be the talk of the nations because of our deep sense of social responsibility for the poor and the powerless within our borders and beyond. May we be an icon of mercy because of our godly stewardship, generous giving, joyful volunteerism, and practical love for the poor and needy.

Read the devotional from Day 36, August 5: Living word here.