Stones in God's hand

My father had a passion for building. Not only did he redesign three rooms in our house, but he also built a wishing well and a cave in our yard. I remember watching him build a tall stone wall as a little boy. Did you know that our Heavenly Father is also a builder working on a wonderful building? The apostle Paul wrote that true Christians “are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the cornerstone on which the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. Through him you also will be built up as a dwelling place for God in the Spirit" (Ephesians 2,20-22).

The apostle Peter described Christians as living stones: "You also, as living stones, are building yourselves up to be a spiritual house and a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1. Petrus 2,5). What is this about? Do you realize that when we are converted, each of us is assigned by God, like a stone, a specific place in the walls of His building? This image offers numerous spiritually inspiring analogies, which we would like to address below.

The foundation of our faith

The foundation of a building is of crucial importance. If it is not stable and resilient, the entire building risks collapsing. Similarly, a special group of people form the foundation of God's structure. Their teachings are central and form the basis of our faith: “Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (Ephesians 2,20). This refers to the apostles and prophets of the New Testament. However, this does not mean that they themselves were the foundation stones of the community. In fact, Christ is the foundation: "No other foundation can anyone lay except that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1. Corinthians 3,11). In Revelation 21,14 The apostles are associated with the twelve foundation stones of holy Jerusalem.

Just as a construction expert ensures that the structure matches its foundation, our religious beliefs should also match the foundation of our forefathers. If the apostles and prophets were to come to us today, our Christian beliefs would have to agree with theirs. Is your faith actually based on the contents of the Bible? Do you base your beliefs and values ​​on what the Bible says, or are you influenced by third-party theories and opinions? The Church should not rely on modern thinking, but on the spiritual heritage left to us by the first apostles and prophets.

Connected to the cornerstone

The cornerstone is the most important part of a foundation. It gives a building stability and cohesion. Jesus is described as this cornerstone. It is a select and at the same time precious stone, absolutely reliable. Whoever trusts in him will not be disappointed: “Behold, I lay in Zion a cornerstone, chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him shall not be put to shame. Now to you who believe, he is precious. But to those who do not believe, he is the stone that the builders rejected; he has become the cornerstone, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense. They are offended by him because they do not believe in the Word, to which they were destined" (1. Petrus 2,6-8).
Peter quotes Isaiah 2 in this context8,16 illustrating that Christ's role as the cornerstone was foretold in Scripture. He points out what plan God has for Christ: to give him this unique position. How are you? Does Jesus have this special place in your life? Is he number one in your life and is he at the core of it?

community among each other

Stones rarely stand alone. They connect to the cornerstone, foundation, roof and other walls. They are connected to each other and together form the impressive wall: “Christ Jesus himself is the cornerstone. Being joined together in him, the whole building grows... and in him [Jesus] you also are being built up together" (Ephesians 2,20–22 Eberfeld Bible).

If a large number of stones were removed from a building, it would collapse. The relationship between Christians should be as strong and intimate as that of the stones in a building. A single stone cannot form an entire building or a wall. It is in our nature not to live in isolation, but in community. Are you committed to working with other Christians to create a magnificent dwelling place for God? Mother Theresa put it well: “You can do what I cannot do. I can do what you can't do. “Together we can achieve great things.” Warm relationships with one another are as sacred and essential as our fellowship with God. Our spiritual life depends on it, and the only way to show people our love for God and God's actual love for us is through our love for one another, as Andrew Murray pointed out.

The uniqueness of every Christian

Nowadays bricks are manufactured industrially and all look the same. Natural stone walls, on the other hand, have individual stones of different sizes and shapes: some are large, others small, and some are medium in size. Christians were not created to be like each other either. It is not God's intention that we all look, think, and act the same. Rather, we represent an image of diversity in harmony. We all belong to the same wall, and yet we are unique. In the same way, a body has different members: "For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of the body, although they are many, are one body, so also does Christ" (1. Corinthians 12,12).

Some people are reserved, others are sociable or outgoing. Some church members are task-oriented, others are relationship-oriented. We should strive to follow Christ, growing in faith and knowledge. But just as our DNA is unique, there is no one exactly like us. Each of us has a special mission. Some are called to encourage others. Other Christians are a great support by listening sensitively and thus enabling others to share their burden. A large stone may support a lot of weight, but a small stone is just as important because it fills a gap that would otherwise remain open. Do you ever feel insignificant? Remember that God has specifically chosen you to be an indispensable stone in his building.

Our ideal place

When my father built, he carefully examined each stone in front of him. He looked for the perfect stone to place next to or on top of another. If it didn't fit exactly, he continued looking. Sometimes he chose a large, square stone, sometimes a small, round one. Sometimes he would shape a stone with a hammer and chisel until it fit perfectly. This approach is reminiscent of the words: “But now God has set the members, each of them in the body, as he willed” (1. Corinthians 12,18).

After placing a stone, my father stood back to look at his work. Once he was satisfied, he anchored the stone firmly in the masonry before choosing the next one. So the chosen stone became a part of the whole: “But you are the body of Christ and each one is a member” (1. Corinthians 12,27).

When Solomon's Temple was built in Jerusalem, the stones were quarried and brought to the temple site: "When the house was built, the stones were already completely dressed, so that neither hammer, hatchet, nor any iron tool was heard in the building of the house" (1. Kings 6,7). The stones were already shaped into the desired shape in the quarry and then transported to the temple construction site, so that no additional shaping or adjustment of the stones was necessary on site.

Likewise, God created each Christian unique. God chose a place for us individually in his building. Every Christian, whether “low” or “exalted,” has the same value before God. He knows exactly where our ideal place is. What an honor to be part of God's building project! It is not about any building, but about a holy temple: "It grows into a holy temple in the Lord" (Ephesians 2,21). It is holy because God lives in it: "Through him (Jesus) you also are being built up as a dwelling place for God in the Spirit" (verse 22).

In the Old Testament, God resided in the tabernacle and later in the temple. Today he lives in the hearts of those who have accepted Jesus as their Redeemer and Savior. Each of us is a temple of the Holy Spirit; Together we form the church of God and represent Him on earth. As the supreme builder, God takes complete responsibility for our spiritual construction. Just as my Father carefully selects each stone, God selects each of us for His divine plan. Can our fellow human beings recognize the divine holiness in us? The big picture is not just the work of one individual, but that of all who allow themselves to be shaped and guided by God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

by Gordon Green

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