you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

— 1 Peter 2:5

19 Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household,

20 having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone,

21 In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

22 And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit.

— Ephesians 2:19-22

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her

26 to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,

27 and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.

— Ephesians 5:25-27

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

Church, the collection of God’s redeemed people, has Jesus Christ as the cornerstone, in whom believers are built together into a dwelling place in which God lives by His Spirit. Christ’s Church stands firmly established on Christ’s saving work and the foundation of the apostles and prophets, looking forward to a promised future as Christ’s spotless bride.

Let’s recognize and grab the opportunity Christ offers to join the company of believers He has redeemed from sin’s deceptive bondage and destined for eternal glory. Christ’s true Church is not defined by mere external association but is unified by the internal transformation that comes through faith in the Messiah. God knows the people who truly belong to Him. These people are Christ’s church. Let’s not ignore the call to join God’s people so that we will not forfeit great blessings and eternal treasure.