As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by God—you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:4-5)
As I was reading those words this morning, I was wondering if Peter had in mind Paul’s letter to the Romans. We do know that Peter read Paul’s letters (2 Peter 3:15-16)
And a lot of the things he says mirrors what Paul said in Romans 12:1.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.
Peter talks about us being living stones, a holy priesthood offering sacrifices acceptable to God.
Paul talks about us being living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.
Paul says we offer ourselves to God in view of God’s mercies.
Peter talks in detail about those mercies. He tells us,
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises, of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (9-10)
And so my prayer this morning was this:
Father, I have tasted that you are good. You’ve shown such incredible mercy to me. You’ve called me out of darkness, made me your own, and brought me into your marvelous light.
Once I had not received mercy. Now I’m overflowing with your mercy. I was like a sheep going astray. But now by your grace I have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of my soul.
So I offer my life to you today. Help me declare your praises to those still trapped in darkness. And let my life, my every word, thought, and action be worship, holy and acceptable to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 