Cornerstone or Stumbling block?

Jesus is right there, all the time, for everyone. He is the rock, you choose whether it is as the cornerstone or to make you stumble.

“but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.””

‭‭Romans‬ ‭9:31-33‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What is the Bible telling us here? Well, as the Gentiles became grafted into Gods people, the Jews were becoming more obsessed with following the laws of Moses and doing the right thing instead of building a relationship with Jesus. They stumbled right over the rock (Jesus) that would lead them to God. They missed the point, they missed the relationship, they didn’t build the right foundation- tripping right over what (and who) was important.

Why is the cornerstone so important?

The cornerstone (or foundation stone or setting stone) is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. All other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.

If Christ, the cornerstone, is not set first then the positioning of the entire foundation for belief, for faith, and for hearing Gods voice is in the wrong direction. The entire structure depends on the foundation, and if not set correctly, it becomes misaligned and will easily fall and be destroyed.

“For in Scripture it says: “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.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:6-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How are you building your foundation? On the rock? With Jesus as the cornerstone? It is in Jesus that we have no shame, we receive grace, and we are firm to continue to build our faith. Being a good person, or saying the right things, or going to Church even….these are works, and although good things, they are not the foundation and do not lead to salvation. Jesus makes a strong foundation that doesn’t fall. Everything thing else in your life- all other actions will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of your entire life.