Because you are saved, you are to put away sin and put on righteousness as you grow in your understanding and knowledge of Christ. Unlike faith which had been placed in a structure built of stone, we are told that Jesus is the foundation of a living faith. He is favored by God and those who trust in His name are part of His living church, set apart to offer worship to Him through their lives. (1 Peter 2:1-5)
1Peter 2:6 For [this] is contained in Scripture: "BEHOLD I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER [stone], AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."
Peter refers back to the words of the Prophet Isaiah which gives validation that he is speaking truth. Today, we might say, ‘the Bible says’ to emphasize that certain information is not from us but from God. “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.
Before we go further into more specific study of this verse, there is an example for each of us to follow. In all cases of sharing what we believe, let us make certain it is based upon Biblical truth, not just what we think. We form many opinions and can have lively discussions, but our foundation needs to be solid. God, because of His great love, has given us His written word so that we might know Him and how He desires us to live for His glory. Although application of scripture may look different depending on life circumstances, the foundation of truth remains the same. The Apostle Peter’s example of using the words of the Prophet Isaiah is an important reminder to each of us to examine the basis of what we believe.
Some areas of caution come to mind when I think of the necessity of being certain that what I believe is founded in the word of God.
Am I following a person rather than Truth? Do I take the time to look things up for myself to be sure that who or what I am listening to is founded in the pure unadulterated word of God?
Am I seeking to grow in my knowledge of God to attest to my own intellectual abilities or am I seeking to grow in my knowledge of God to give glory and honor to Him?
Am I desiring more information for the sake of interest itself or do I desire to apply what I learn in order to grow more in the likeness of God?
In each of the above questions, my heart motivation needs to be checked.
Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner [stone],
Let us not miss the word Behold. It is like saying pay attention! This is important! Also, recognize the source – I, the Lord God. Psalm 118:22-23 The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner [stone]. This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes”. This is unlike the temples built by man. God has laid the foundation at a great cost – His only Son, Jesus.
This thinking is a 180 turn from what Peter’s audience had known. The temple was built as a place of worship painstakingly handcrafted; and large stones were placed at the foundation. The temple had become the center of Jewish faith. Now, they have been called to something greater, they have been called to set their eyes on Christ whom they had not seen, to trust in Him for the salvation of their souls. Is this 180 turn not unlike your own conversion? Just as the Apostle calls upon these Christians to be strengthened in their faith – believing without seeing, we are called to the same. 1 Peter 1:6-9.
The church was started in Zion – or Sion – in Jerusalem. It is where Jesus suffered; it is where the preaching of the Gospel began. Read this excerpt from gotquestions.org/Zion.
Psalm 87:2–3 says, “The Lord loves the gates of Zion / more than all the other dwellings of Jacob. / Glorious things are said of you, / city of God”. According to this verse, Zion is synonymous with city of God, and it is a place that God loves. Zion is Jerusalem. Mount Zion is the high hill on which David built a citadel. It is on the southeast side of the city. The word Zion occurs over 150 times in the Bible. It essentially means “fortification” and has the idea of being “raised up” as a “monument”. Zion is described both as the city of David and the city of God. As the Bible progresses, the word Zion expands in scope and takes on an additional, spiritual meaning.
The first mention of Zion in the Bible is 2 Samuel 5:7: “David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.” Zion was originally an ancient Jebusite fortress in the city of Jerusalem. After David’s conquest of the fortress, Jerusalem became a possession of Israel. The royal palace was built there, and Zion/Jerusalem became the seat of power in Israel’s kingdom.
When Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem, the meaning of Zion expanded further to include the temple area (Psalm 2:6; 48:2, 11–12; 132:13). This is the meaning found in the prophecy of Jeremiah 31:6, “Come, let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God”. In the Old Testament Zion is used as a name for the city of Jerusalem (Isaiah 40:9), the land of Judah (Jeremiah 31:12), and the nation of Israel as a whole (Zechariah 9:13).
The word Zion is also used in a theological or spiritual sense in Scripture. In the Old Testament Zion refers figuratively to Israel as the people of God (Isaiah 60:14). In the New Testament, Zion refers to God’s spiritual kingdom. We have not come to Mount Sinai, says the apostle, but “to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem” (Hebrews 12:22). Peter, quoting Isaiah 28:16, refers to Christ as the Cornerstone of Zion: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:6).
God has purposed His church, His spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5), to be built upon Jesus. He is the ‘choice stone’ or ‘chief corner stone’, KJV. Jesus is favored, precious, and honorable, God’s chosen cornerstone. Jesus is our foundation, in 1 Peter 2:4, the ‘living stone’. The use of this metaphor is emphasized. Why? Because a church built on any other name or premise will not last. Jesus is the solid foundation of our faith. Precious in God’s sight, Jesus paid the penalty for our sin. He is the unifier of both Jews and Gentiles alike, all those who come to Him. This thinking was vastly different than what had become a corrupt system of trusting in traditions and lineage. Matthew, in his gospel, quotes the warning in Isaiah 29:13 -
Matthew 15:7, “You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. ‘But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’”
Where might we see hypocrisy today? What about in your own life? Do we speak one way and act another? Do we pay more attention to what we look like rather than our heart? Are we more concerned about what others think of us rather than who we truly are? We must be willing to ask God to search our hearts to see if our faith is genuine.
The church is to be built on Christ, the living stone, the corner stone. He alone is our hope. Again, refer back to the Jewish culture Peter was writing to. It had become commonplace to have all worship and sacrifice centered at the temple. Through Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, the temple built of stone with all its tradition of sacrifice became obsolete. The true temple is Christ alone by God’s choosing in which both Jews and Gentiles are united in one faith with Jesus as the foundation. No longer were individuals to rely upon the fulfillment of the Law or their heritage. There was to be no confidence placed in lineage or culture and tradition, all hope was in Jesus. You can imagine why this would have been necessary for the Apostle to emphasize. We tend to gravitate towards what we have known or what we have been comfortable with.
The last verse of the preceding chapter in 1 Peter ended with the reminder that this group of Christians were a new people – the people of God – and they were to be united in their common goal of growing in respect to their salvation. This causes me to think of the phrase, ‘leveling the playing field’. There is none more deserving than another, there is none more important than another – all have been redeemed by Christ, all have need of His death and resurrection, all are offered salvation in Him. He alone is our source of righteousness and holiness. These truths bear the need for repetition because they are important.
He who believes in Him shall not be disappointed.
Those who believe, who place their faith in Jesus, who entrust and commit their lives to Him will absolutely not be disappointed. The word disappointed, or kataischuno, means to shame down, disgrace or put to the blush; confound, dishonour, be ashamed. Specifically, Peter is addressing the Christians who were struggling with the pull and comfort of what they had known. They were reminded that their trust in Jesus had greater value. These words are also an encouragement to believers today. Have you ever questioned your faith or wondered how it is you can be so sure of something you have not seen? Have you thought it might be easier sometimes to ‘fit in’ with the flow, to not think differently, to not be so sensitive to sin? Have you ever apologized to someone for your attitude or response because you knew it was wrong and you were convicted of sin, just to have that person look at you like you were a bit crazy? I would bet most of us can relate. However, we must turn to the Truth and what are we told. Regardless of the world’s response, we must act according to God’s commands. Our faith is built on the only thing that will last – Jesus – and we will not be disappointed! Jesus’ mission will not be thwarted.
Romans 5:1- 5
Romans 10:11 For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."
He that believeth on him shall not be confounded (KJV), shall not be put to shame (ASV), will never be put to shame (NIV), will by no means be put to shame (NKJV).
This is an incredible promise! The words used are a double negative meaning not at all, by no means, never, and in no case, freegraceresources.org. Going back to the last sentence in Isaiah 28:16, it says, “He who believes [in it] will not be disturbed”. Reading through Isaiah 28-29, this encouraging verse is in the middle of the judgment of Israel wrought with impending destruction. One commentary explains disturbed as “to be afraid as one who makes haste often is; to be agitated with fear or fright; and hence it has a signification nearly similar to that of shame. … The meaning here is, that a man who believes shall not be agitated, or thrown into commotion, by fear of want of success; shall not be disappointed in his hopes; and of course, he shall never be ashamed that he became a Christian. They who do not believe in Christ shall be agitated, fall, and sink into eternal shame and contempt”, Albert Barnes’ NT Commentary.
Another commentary states that Believers should not “make haste to flee away for no enemy shall ever be able to annoy him”, Adam Clarke’s Commentary.
Consider the difference between having a calm assurance and being unraveled. A steadfast faith is built on the security of Christ as its foundation, even in danger. Read the following excerpt from MacLaren’s Expositions for Isaiah 28:16, The Foundation of God.
“Remember the picture of the context – a suddenly descending storm, a swiftly rising and turbid flood, the lashing of the rain, the howling of the wind. The men in the clay-built hovels on the flat have to take to flight to some higher ground above the reach of the inundation, on some sheltered rock out of the flashing of the rain and the force of the tempest. He who is built upon the true foundation knows that his house is above the water-level, and he does not need to be in a hurry. He can remain quietly there till the flood subsides, knowing that it will not rise high enough to drown or even disturb him. When all the other buildings are gone, his stands. And he that thus dwells on high may look out over the wild flood, washing and weltering to the horizon, and feel that he is safe. So shall he not have to make haste, but may wait calm and quiet, knowing that all is well”, biblehubcom/commentaries/Isaiah/28-16.
Recognize the precious value of Jesus –
because of Him you are saved,
because of Him you are called a child of God,
because of Him you are secure.
Your purpose is to bring glory to God –
Your mission is to share His Truth.
