Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. 1 Peter 2:7-8 NIV

In a culture that pressures us to tolerate everyone and everything, differences in belief have sharpened. Peter, however, reminds us that nothing has changed. As the divide between culture and faith widens, what can we expect? 

The same treatment Jesus received. Rejection. 

Today, people no longer agree to disagree. They often resort to personal attacks. We aren’t simply viewed as wrong for believing as we do, we are labeled as bad people. 

How are we to respond? 

With a velvet brick. 

The Brick: Uncompromised Belief

 ^“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect . . .” (1 Peter 3:15)

Do you know what you believe and why? May I recommend Truth Matters: Confident Faith in a Confusing World? https://amazon.com/Truth-Matters-Confident-Faith-Confusing/dp/1433682265/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547591856&sr=8-1&keywords=truth+matters+confident+faith+in+a+confusing+world

This little gem covers the basics. A quick read, it will prep you for tough questions on the Bible and the basic tenets of the faith. 

The Velvet:

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you . . .” Matthew 5:44

Part 1: Velvet Love

Everything we do should be marked by love. Tough love, if necessary. If love proves hard to come by, ask God for help, ask to see them with His eyes.

Part 2: Velvet Prayer

Salvation is all about warfare. Lewis Sperry Chafer says this about salvation:

It (the gospel) is simply the offer of redemption and the statement of those conditions under grace, by which a soul may “turn from darkness unto light and from the power of Satan unto God” (Acts 26:18); and being the point of deliverance “from the power of Satan unto God,” it is veiled by Satan . . .

Paul finishes Ephesian 6, the passage on spiritual warfare and the armor of God, with a call to prayer. Don’t neglect one of your most powerful weapons. Pray.

You are living stones. Velvet bricks. Stand firm. Love well. Pray hard.

Workout for the Week: The Velvet Brick

Memory Verse: ^“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect . . .” 1 Peter 3:15

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you . . .” Matthew 5:44

Meditation Passage: 1 Peter 2:4-10

Do It: Be the velvet brick.

January’s Spiritual Discipline: Meditation

“I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Acts 26:17b-18

In Acts 26, Paul recounts his salvation experience to King Agrippa. Meditate on Jesus’ words to Paul. Now replace Paul with yourself. To whom is God sending you?