Heralds Digest

  “ you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame. ”” I Peter 2 : 5 - 6 NKJV Suffering and shame from times immemorial have been useful tools in the hands of the enemies for the destruction of homes, families and institutions. Unfortunately, careless believers often joined the agents of darkness to play politics with these tools. And in times of genocide, ethnic and religious cleansing, banditry, immorality, etc, the undiscerning will often send out the query “ Where is God? ”. Just as Jesus Christ became the Chief Cornerstone of our salvation through suffering, true believers are designed to be God’s living stones through their engagements and perseverance in seasons of suffering. Therefore, the right...

  “ 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; For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ” ‭‭I Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬, ‭21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ There is a slight difference in believer’s understanding of being ‘called N chosen’ and being ‘chosen N called’ . While the former understanding merely underscores the disciple’s calling into service, the latter understanding emphasizes the disciple’s calling into suffering. By reflecting on the privileges of being chosen by God through the sacrifice of His Son on the cross of Calvary, Apostle Peter was inspired to let the disciples of Christ understand that suffering is part of the service towards living for the glory of God. And by accepting the call to suffer with Christ, we receive grace daily to follow the steps of Christ with hum...