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Natural stones need to be cut and chiseled for a proper fit. By contrast, “cultured” stones come from a mold, and have a project-ready uniformity. In a spiritual sense, think about the significance of natural stones versus cultured. Peter described us as living stones being fit together as a “spiritual house” aligned with Jesus, the Chief Cornerstone (I Peter 2:4-8).

The work begins without a demand for perfection and uniformity first. The Master carefully smooths out existing scars, removes unwanted portions, and shapes the rest for a perfect fit. Sometimes the process gets painful but remember who’s handling the chisel. It’s one who knows the pain of being scarred and lovingly applies the needed adjustments.

Cultured stones may be uniform and without blemishes, but scarred stones bear the marks of love, forgiveness, redemption, and hope!

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” I Peter 2:9 NKJV

How much in life is forever? In all honesty, not a whole lot. Peter called the things of this world “perishable”. Of course, he wasn’t calling for people to quit life and just watch the clouds for the Lord’s return, he was encouraging the readers to consider the big picture as they lived and worked together. He wrote of “sincere love” and quoted Isaiah:

“All flesh is as grass, and the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls away, but the Word of the Lord endures forever.” – I Peter 1:24-25 NKJV

On the surface, it may seem odd that the Holy Spirit directed him to include that passage, but he goes on to encourage laying aside the “withering grass” (efforts focused on ourselves) and develop an appetite for the “pure Word” (2:1-2). When that happens, we continue to grow and mature; then it becomes second-nature to invest in the only other thing in life that’s forever…which is people.

What “forever” things will your mind be on today?

“Hypocrite”, “self-righteous”, and “holier-than-thou” can describe a religious phony. They’re also terms used as weapons to temper the zeal of someone genuinely striving to live right. In both the Old and New Testaments, God says for us to “Be Holy.” In Peter’s written instructions to the early church, he quotes Leviticus and says:

“…you also be holy in all your conduct.” – I Peter 1:15 NKJV

So, in a real-world kind of way, what does that phrase mean? Perfection? Error-free-living? Of course not. If it did, none of us would have any hope, and the gospel is built on hope! It simply means:

• Set-apart – not as a sideline critic of others, but one personally seeking to live to a higher standard
• Purposed – with goals set to honor Christ (“Whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not men.” – Col. 3:23)
• Trusting – Faith is trust. Our Father can be trusted…for real.
• Reflecting – we are to reflect Christ. The Fruits of the Spirit are wonderful qualities that show the love of Christ in a practical way to a world in darkness

Don’t let the fear of critics or the call of compromise temper your zeal today. Be holy. It’s not mandated perfection, but the posture of the graciously redeemed.

These days, telling someone to “gird up their loins” may produce a confused look or worse, but in a biblical sense, the phrase carries significant meaning. In the ancient world, it described a man preparing for action by gathering up and tucking his outer garment into his belt. It’s a word-picture of “deliberate readiness”. Peter invoked the concept to explain how we should prepare our minds to live in a world that’s not our eternal home. He wrote this:

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ…” – I Peter 1:13 NKJV

So, with that word-picture in mind, let’s:

• Be ready – “Girding-up” or ‘tightening-up” thoughts to be alert for the enemy’s schemes and deceptions
• Be sober – developing a mindset that’s serious and purposed, not silly and foolish
• Be at rest – building hope on grace that vigorously runs the race with a spirit “at rest’

“Therefore, gird up…”