7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for unbelievers,
“A stone which the builders rejected,
This became the [n]chief cornerstone,”8 and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”;
for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this they were also appointed.
Stumbling block | 1 Peter 2:7-8 (NASB) 中文
Precious cornerstone
This precious, living cornerstone that Peter introduced us to in the last verses is Jesus. Here he re-emphasizes the precious nature of Jesus. He is precious to us who believe. Why? Well, imagine the sorry state we’d be in without Him. No purpose in life. No hope of glory. We’d have no assurance of salvation, no forgiveness of our sins. We’d be, well, like the unbelievers Peter mentions.
Stumbling block
For unbelievers, Jesus is a stumbling block, an offense. Why do they find Jesus, a precious gift to believers, the gentle but powerful and loving Savior full of grace and mercy an offense? Pride. Jesus calls all who want to receive Him to repent of their sins which requires a humble act of confession. Who wants to admit they are wrong – especially about the most important aspect of life – their eternal state?
Unfortunately, many preachers and sharers of the Gospel water it down to make it more “palatable”. The word “sin” is often removed completely from the discussion. The “gospel” becomes, “Believe in Jesus and He will give you all the blessings you deserve. He’ll fix your marriage, He’ll fix your finances, etc.” True, that is “good news” but it is not the gospel of salvation for there it misses the key point: we are sinners, separated from God and we need a Savior to cleanse our sin and restore the relationship with God.
Appointed so
Verse 8, “to this they were also appointed”, touches a sensitive theological nerve about predestination. One commentary suggests, “God has appointed those who stumble to stumble because they are disobedient (they do not believe). Their disobedience is not what God has ordained, but the penalty of their disobedience, stumbling, is (cf. Acts 2:23; Rom. 11:8, 11, 30-32). (Darby in Constable Commentary)” In short, unbelievers in Christ get what they want – freedom from God to do what they want, how they want. And God allows them to make that free choice, much to His sadness for them.
RЯeflection
- Are we thankful for the salvation we have in Christ, the precious, living cornerstone? We should be quick to express it.
- Who are the unbelievers around you that need to hear the truth? They also need your example and prayer.
