Introduction:
- In the UK, we don’t have formally recognised foundations for our present political institutions like they do in the US where they place great emphasis on the Founding Fathers and US Constitution. Nevertheless, we do have foundations (events, people, ideas etc.) upon which our country is built. What would you include?
- If we think more about the present day, what foundations underpin our current political discourse and trends? What foundations do politicians cite as their motivations and justifications?
As anyone with a vague understanding of engineering knows, good foundations are vital to any building that wants to be considered ‘good’. Without strong foundations, the building will be unstable, dangerous, and unable to weather any kind of storm that might come its way.
The same can be said of a country or nation. Without good foundations the country is liable to instability, uncertainty, and is unlikely to last long, at least in any healthy or meaningful way. Similarly, individual politicians or political parties need good foundations underpinning their ideas, policy platforms, and campaigning. Without them they are likely to be ineffective, confused, and vulnerable to the prevailing winds of the day.
Foundations matter. So, as Christians interested in politics what forms our foundations? On what should we build our ideas? On what should we base our campaigning? What can we depend on to deliver us through the inevitable storms that will come?
Passage: 1 Peter 2:4-10
- Who is the ‘him’ of v4 (Look back at the previous passage if that helps)? How is he described?
- Christ
- The living Stone
- Rejected by humans
- Chosen by, and precious to, God
- What is the wider Biblical significance of this living stone? Consider the passages quoted by Peter (have a look at the wider context):
- Isaiah 28:16
- Psalm 118:22
- Isaiah 8:14
- How do we see these promises fulfilled in Christ? Consider the following passages:
- Matthew 7:24-27
- Matthew 21:33-46
- 1 Corinthians 1:22-25
Jesus provokes two reactions. To those who believe He is precious – they will never be put to shame. Yet to those who reject Him - He is a source of judgement, a measure of their sin. This is a source of great joy to Peter’s initial readers. Scattered and persecuted, why might these truths about Jesus bring them great comfort?
To the early church Jesus as the living stone brought joy – joy rooted in the certainty of where they were headed. They weren’t suffering for a silly make-believe story. No, in the end judgement will come on those who oppose Jesus, and those who trust will be rewarded. They might face scorn now, but on judgement day they will not see shame.
Application:
- How might we see this manifest in our present political circumstances? If you’re struggling think about the following…
- The place given to God in political conversations
- The rejection of objective moral truth
- The emphasis on human ingenuity, creativity, and effort as the hope of society and foundation for progress
- Consideration given to more ‘orthodox’ Christian values and ethics
- Why might these truths about Jesus be of great comfort to Christians given this political context?
Sometimes we can be just like the Israelites and have the appearance of trusting in God’s promises but actually be trusting in other things.
- Consider some alternative cornerstones. When are we tempted to trust in these things? Where do we see the impact of trusting in such things (both inside and outside the church)?
- An individual Christian (for example a church leader)
- The Church
- The Nation
- Technology
- Education
- What is problematic about trusting in other cornerstones? Why is it therefore important to remember that the living stone is Jesus?
As the proverb of the wise and foolish builders reveals, to place our hope in anything other than Jesus is folly. If we reject Him and place our hope in other things, no matter how good they are, we are abandoning the foundation that God promises will provide life, protection, and hope.
- Look back at the passage. Who is the ‘you also’ of v5? How are they described? For what purpose?
- Christians chosen but scattered
- Living stones
- Being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood
- Offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ
Jesus is a source of judgement and shame to some, but to others He is precious. He is their foundation and their joy, and Peter begins and ends this section highlighting the transformation Christ has on those who build their life on Him.
- What change does Jesus bring about in those who build their life on Him? (vv9-10)
- Darkness -> wonderful light
- Not a people -> people
- Not received mercy-> received mercy
- How does this change their identity? (v9)
- They have been chosen
- They are a holy nation
- They are a royal priesthood
- They are God’s special possession
- Think through each of these aspects. What do they mean? What is their biblical significance? If you get stuck use the following questions to help.
- Who does God choose in the Bible and why? Consider the example of Abram in Genesis 12:1-3.
- Who is the holy nation in the Old Testament? Why do they exist? Consider the example of Moses in Exodus 9:13-16.
- What is the point of the Old Testament priests? Have a look at this article.
Israel existed to declare God’s praises to the world around them. They were to do this in every aspect of their lives and Peter passes this baton on to New Testament believers who are not to ‘declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful life’.
This is change in identity and purpose applies to us too. Paul also recognises this in Romans 12:1-2. Our whole lives are to be acts of worship that declare the praises of God. We rest in this task on Christ our foundation, the one who lived a life of perfect worship to the Father.
Application:
- What difference would this make to your political engagement if you lived out this identity and calling
- Why is it important to keep Christ as your foundation? What might this look like as you engage in politics
- How does knowing that Christ was rejected help you as you continue His mission to glorify God in all things?
Pray:
- Thank God for Christ our cornerstone and hope. Pray that we would build our lives on Him.
- Pray that our country and our political leaders would seek to make Christ their foundation.
- Ask God for courage to live to His glory in politics. Pray He would help you deal with rejection well.
- Pray that God, by His Spirit, would help you realise your new identity and purpose more and more and that Christ would form your foundations.
