Christians are individual building blocks, little Lego bricks. We’re each being called by God, and placed into the corporate spiritual temple or household that is God’s kingdom, His family, and His church. We’re each essential, and we’re each important. Don’t believe me? Pay Jenga sometime, and then you’ll get the analogy.

In 1 Peter 2:4-10, the apostle gives us a wonderful passage about what a local church is, and what we ought to think about it. People ought to think about it. The word “church” can also be translated “congregation,” and I think we should start using that term. The “church” isn’t the building; it’s the people. The people in a congregation are your spiritual brothers and sisters, united in Christ by repentance and faith in His Good News.

More on this in a week or so. For now, read the passage and think on these things.

My Translation of 1 Peter 2:4-10

Because you came to Him, (the living stone who’s been rejected by men, but in God’s sight [is] chosen [and] precious), even you yourselves, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood; to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God, through Jesus Christ. This is why God says in Scripture,

Look! I have placed in Zion a stone, a cornerstone; chosen [and] precious – the one who believes in Him will never, ever be ashamed of it.

This means the honor is yours, you who believe! But to those who don’t believe, He’s “the stone the builders rejected that’s become the head cornerstone,” and “a stone to stumble on and a rock that offends them.” These builders are stumbling because they’re rejecting the message. Actually, they were destined for this.

But you believers are a chosen nation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation – God’s own people. The purpose of all this is so you’d announce the wonderful things God did, who called you out of the darkness [and] into His amazing light. You used to not be a people, but now you’re the people of God! You weren’t given any mercy, but now you’ve received mercy!