How can we apply the lesson of the "cornerstone" to our daily lives? Setting the Scene Psalm 118:22: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” Other key passages: Together these verses reveal Jesus Christ as the literal, divinely chosen cornerstone on which God is building His people. What the Cornerstone Meant Then • First and strongest block in ancient construction • Determined the angle, alignment, and stability of every other stone • Bore the weight of the structure What the Cornerstone Means Now • Jesus is the first and strongest foundation of God’s household • His life and teaching set the standard for all belief and behavior • He carries the full weight of our salvation and security Daily Life Applications Build Only on Christ • Start each day acknowledging that every goal, relationship, and decision rests on Him (Colossians 2:6-7). • Reject any “add-on” foundations—culture, feelings, success—that compete with His Word. Align Everything to His Word • A cornerstone set the lines; Scripture now sets the lines for ethics, finance, marriage, and speech (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • When a choice feels sideways, return to the plumb line of clear biblical teaching. Stand Steady When Rejected • The world dismissed the Cornerstone; expect the same response and remain unshaken (John 15:18-19). • Draw strength from knowing rejection does not equal failure when you are aligned with Christ. Cultivate Unity in the Church • Stones must fit together around a common cornerstone; believers are “being built together” (Ephesians 2:21-22). • Pursue reconciliation quickly; refuse gossip and division that shift attention off Christ. Carry One Another’s Load • The cornerstone bears weight; those united to Him share burdens (Galatians 6:2). • Look for tangible ways to support weary family members, friends, and fellow believers. Practical Steps for the Week • Read Psalm 118 aloud each morning, underlining verse 22. • Memorize Isaiah 28:16 and repeat it whenever uncertainty surfaces. • Audit one area of life—finances, media intake, or relationships—asking whether it lines up squarely with Jesus’ teaching. • Send an encouraging note or offer practical help to someone feeling sidelined or rejected. • Attend a church gathering ready to serve rather than be served, consciously seeing fellow believers as stones joined to the same Cornerstone. Takeaway Truth A life resting squarely on Jesus the Cornerstone stands firm, lines up straight, and becomes a place where God’s presence is seen and felt every single day. |
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