The Chief Cornerstone–Your Foundation or Your Stumbling Block?

Will you stumble over the chief cornerstone or will you embrace it?  That is the question you must answer.  So often we are asked, "Why do you Christians believe that there is only one way to God?"  Our answer must be that God in His marvelous grace provided the sacrifice and payment for our sins.  He who is the only perfect righteousness was the only one who could pay the price.  If we look deep within our own hearts honestly, we must recognize our own inability to save ourselves.  We see those moments of selfishness, those moments of pride which cause such harm, and our ineptness at loving our Creator as we should. iStock_000016002596Medium

image courtesy of istockphoto.com/viki2win

The harder we try to be "good" the more we realize our inability to do so.  We seek to be seen as righteous; yet, even our best efforts only leads to our failure to perform. Yet, Christ came and took on flesh that He might pay the penalty for our sins and thus cover us with His righteousness.  He has become the foundation–the Chief Cornerstone of our salvation.  As Peter proclaimed to all the people both gentile and Jew.

Acts 4: 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Then if Christ came to pay the penalty for all, why did Peter then say that this elect, precious corner stone could also be the stone that leads to stumbling and stands as a rock of offence to some? 

1 Peter 2: 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

For all those who fail to accept the truth of salvation, there remains the judgement.  Isaiah had warned of this in the old testament as he proclaimed to the people in Isaiah 28.

Isaiah 28: 16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.

God, being willing to pay such a high price for our salvation, why would He ever accept anything less?  He desires to share with you His love, His joy, and His Glory.  He paid the penalty that perfect justice would demand; why would He accept anything less than that and why would you not accept the gift? 

"Let me try to explain this in a way that you might understand, though any illustration falls very short of the full act.   Let’s say that you want to buy a beautiful house set on a hill that expands thousands of acres.   The owner knows that even if you work for a lifetime, you will not be able to pay the price for that home.  He decides to give you that house and land as a free gift.  Beyond that he wants to give you the work force to tend the land and house.  His only desire is your friendship and to spend time talking with you, guiding you in the care of that gift, and your trust.   You, because of self pride, become offended and say, “No, I will not take the house or your friendship until I can earn it.  I will work very hard and one day then you can give me the house after I have earned it.”  Year after year goes by and still you have not been able to pay even a small portion toward the price of that house.  You have not been able to enjoy the home nor his friendship.  You become frustrated, angry, and then blame him for the price being too high.  What kind of fool would you have been?  Another point is also evident.  If you accept the gift, your gratitude and love would command you from inside to try to please the gift giver by caring for the gift.  He gave you something very precious and that in its own would cause you to follow his direction in its care out of love not out of labor"  excerpt from Ultimate Inspiration God’s Plan of Love

So the cornerstone of Salvation, Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation; but in the same becomes the stumbling block to destruction and judgement for all who do not believe.

Question:  Will you stumble over the chief cornerstone into eternal judgement or embrace it unto salvation?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEhSk7bfbK8

 

 

© 2013 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned with the exception of my own book I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”