DEVOTIONAL INSIGHTS & REFLECTIONS

Jesus Christ: God's Cornerstone - November 10

The Lord Jesus Christ is the "cornerstone" of our faith---the "rock" of our salvation.

He is, "The stone which the builders rejected [and He] has become the chief corner stone." ~Psalm 118:22

Notice in Exodus 20:7, one of God's commandments is: "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain."

Nothing causes satan (the enemy of our souls and the enemy of God) more glee than when God's precious creation, men and women, use His precious Holy name as a curse word. Notice they don't use the name any false god such as Buda, Mohammad or allah in this way (as a curse word), not even the name of any leader of any sort past or present. That is because no other name is as precious to God as the name of His one and only son, slain from the foundation of the world in atonement for the sins of the whole world. Sadly, even the name of God the Father is also often accompanied with the word "damn."

Neither does any other name cause as much offense in the hearts of unsaved/unregenerated man as the precious Holy name of our God and of His only begotten son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ... that is, when His name is mentioned reverently, as it should be. Even the mention of our blessed Holy Spirit and all of His attributes, sent to earth to comfort the hearts of men, is shunned.

As to the Lord Jesus Christ, God the Father says:

...just as it is written, "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." ~Romans 9:33

God is the only true God and He demonstrates His great love for us in sending His only begotten Son to seek and to save us. (See John 3:16.)

This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, "THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone," and, "A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE"; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. ~1 Peter 2:7-8

"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? "On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, ~Job 38:4-6

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed. ~Isaiah 28:16

And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture: "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." ~1 Peter 2:4-8

...Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by this name this man stands here before you in good health. "He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone. "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." ~Acts 4:10-12

Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. ~Ephesians 2:20-22

Yet His forgiveness is only a prayer away. "All who call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved." (See Romans 10:13; Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13.)

If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleans us from all unrighteousness. ~1 John 1:9

Oh, how He loves us.