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We are a UK registered charity which, primarily, publishes a magazine to encourage the study of the scriptures, the practice of New Testament church principles and interest in gospel work in the UK and abroad. We hope you will find the content of these pages a help in your Christian life. We are constantly adding new content and features to our site, so please revisit periodically to check for updates.
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Daily Thought for: 13th November
ROCK OF OFFENCE
1 Peter 2. 6-10
In this section the Lord Jesus is described as different kinds of stones. We have already seen Him as the living stone, and now we view Him as the chief corner stone, laid down by God Himself, v. 6. As such, He is elect (chosen) and precious (valuable) and, of course, totally reliable in determining the measurements for the rest of the building. It has also been suggested that the passage may be understood to proclaim Him as the keystone in the arch, the capstone or head of the corner and finally as the touchstone against which others are measured. This stone was rejected by the builders, the builders of mortal men’s initiatives in religion.
However, while all that is true, He is a stumbling stone to those who do not, or rather have chosen not to, believe. As He lies, as it were discarded by the builders, they often trip over Him, because there is really no way of avoiding Him. Time and again men are reminded of His existence, His value, His ability in the things of God, but rather than turning to Him they simply leave Him or move Him somewhere more comfortable for themselves. A stone which is not set in its proper place becomes a liability to the builders and can hinder their work.
He is also a rock of offence, or as Isaiah would put it, a rock to make men fall. The word used here for ‘stone’ is that which suggests a very large stone indeed, embedded in the ground. It cannot be moved. There is no way round it. It is impossible to ignore it and to bypass it is extremely difficult. Men therefore must clamber over it and, as a result, they may fall. No one will be able to say that they did not know about Christ as they laboured to erect their own spiritual edifice. He introduces Himself at all times and in all places, and it requires a very determined and clear decision to leave Him out of things. Yet men consciously do so. He is persistently inviting sinners to Himself but in rejecting Him they self-destruct.
Believers are not so. They are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a peculiar people. Closely linked to Christ, they have used Him as a stepping stone to great blessing, and, as such, will never be offended, nor tripped up.
Daily Thought for: 13th November
ROCK OF OFFENCE
1 Peter 2. 6-10
In this section the Lord Jesus is described as different kinds of stones. We have already seen Him as the living stone, and now we view Him as the chief corner stone, laid down by God Himself, v. 6. As such, He is elect (chosen) and precious (valuable) and, of course, totally reliable in determining the measurements for the rest of the building. It has also been suggested that the passage may be understood to proclaim Him as the keystone in the arch, the capstone or head of the corner and finally as the touchstone against which others are measured. This stone was rejected by the builders, the builders of mortal men’s initiatives in religion.
However, while all that is true, He is a stumbling stone to those who do not, or rather have chosen not to, believe. As He lies, as it were discarded by the builders, they often trip over Him, because there is really no way of avoiding Him. Time and again men are reminded of His existence, His value, His ability in the things of God, but rather than turning to Him they simply leave Him or move Him somewhere more comfortable for themselves. A stone which is not set in its proper place becomes a liability to the builders and can hinder their work.
He is also a rock of offence, or as Isaiah would put it, a rock to make men fall. The word used here for ‘stone’ is that which suggests a very large stone indeed, embedded in the ground. It cannot be moved. There is no way round it. It is impossible to ignore it and to bypass it is extremely difficult. Men therefore must clamber over it and, as a result, they may fall. No one will be able to say that they did not know about Christ as they laboured to erect their own spiritual edifice. He introduces Himself at all times and in all places, and it requires a very determined and clear decision to leave Him out of things. Yet men consciously do so. He is persistently inviting sinners to Himself but in rejecting Him they self-destruct.
Believers are not so. They are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a peculiar people. Closely linked to Christ, they have used Him as a stepping stone to great blessing, and, as such, will never be offended, nor tripped up.
Daily Thought for: 13th November
ROCK OF OFFENCE
1 Peter 2. 6-10
In this section the Lord Jesus is described as different kinds of stones. We have already seen Him as the living stone, and now we view Him as the chief corner stone, laid down by God Himself, v. 6. As such, He is elect (chosen) and precious (valuable) and, of course, totally reliable in determining the measurements for the rest of the building. It has also been suggested that the passage may be understood to proclaim Him as the keystone in the arch, the capstone or head of the corner and finally as the touchstone against which others are measured. This stone was rejected by the builders, the builders of mortal men’s initiatives in religion.
However, while all that is true, He is a stumbling stone to those who do not, or rather have chosen not to, believe. As He lies, as it were discarded by the builders, they often trip over Him, because there is really no way of avoiding Him. Time and again men are reminded of His existence, His value, His ability in the things of God, but rather than turning to Him they simply leave Him or move Him somewhere more comfortable for themselves. A stone which is not set in its proper place becomes a liability to the builders and can hinder their work.
He is also a rock of offence, or as Isaiah would put it, a rock to make men fall. The word used here for ‘stone’ is that which suggests a very large stone indeed, embedded in the ground. It cannot be moved. There is no way round it. It is impossible to ignore it and to bypass it is extremely difficult. Men therefore must clamber over it and, as a result, they may fall. No one will be able to say that they did not know about Christ as they laboured to erect their own spiritual edifice. He introduces Himself at all times and in all places, and it requires a very determined and clear decision to leave Him out of things. Yet men consciously do so. He is persistently inviting sinners to Himself but in rejecting Him they self-destruct.
Believers are not so. They are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a peculiar people. Closely linked to Christ, they have used Him as a stepping stone to great blessing, and, as such, will never be offended, nor tripped up.
