A weekday morning devotional series written by Aaron Marcarelli and hosted by Chad McBeam
1 Peter2:8-9:
“This precious stone, then, is for you who believe; but for unbelievers, “A stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief cornerstone,” and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this they were also appointed. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”
God is our cornerstone He came to bare the weight of our sin. It is sin that binds us and does not allow us to be free. Yesterday my mom in her great wisdom, reminded me of one of the greatest stories of redemption ever written (outside of the Bible of course). It is the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his redemption and reconciliation. Charles Dickens wrote this play and it is called A Christmas Carol. It has been adapted to the screen and stage countless times.
The first ghost that appears to Scrooge is his former partner Jacob Marley. He is coming back from hell to warn Scrooge. Marley appears to Scrooge burdened with the chains & the weights of his sin. These were the Burdens of un-forgiveness & bitterness. Marley warns Scrooge, not to live a life carrying the burdens of sin, because it truly is not a life worth living if you carry this weight. It will only get worse.
What burdens are you carrying? To prepare for the adventus of Christ confess you sins!
“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:8-9 NASB2020
Then rejoice as Ebenezer Scrooge does, leaping and laughing and praising God! Like the words of Isaiah
“Shout for joy, you heavens! And rejoice, you earth! Break forth into joyful shouting, mountains! For the Lord has comforted His people And will have compassion on His afflicted.”
Isaiah 49:13 NASB2020
For Scrooge, his sin of unforgiveness and his burden of bitterness had been released. Christ came so that our burdens of sin would be forgiven for all time. That is what He came for! That is what we must understand and what we must help others to understand. It was too late for Marley, don’t let it be too late for you or the ones you love.
That baby who began life lying in a manger would live and die and rise again so that our burdens would be removed and we could live in His Kingdom for all eternity.
Lord, we thank you for the amazing gift of the forgiveness of sins. Thank you for being our cornerstone and taking all weight of unforgiveness and sin. Thank you for perfect reconciliation for all eternity. Help us to seek you and to accept this free gift and to share with others what you have done for us. In Jesus Name Amen…
Shalom Blessings and Press In and Press On!