THE ESSENTIAL CORNERSTONE

The cornerstone of a building is significant and essential. It is the first stone laid during the building process. Other stones are laid in reference to this stone, ensuring the proper alignment of the remainder of the structure. A building is oriented according to the cornerstone. It determines the position of the entire structure.

Just like the cornerstone of a building, Jesus, too, is essential and has a tremendous and necessary job of giving us a strong foundation. He provides the necessary strength so that we will not collapse under pressure. Jesus holds our lives together and ensures stability and strength. We are stable because we are well built in Him.  Our lives are dependent upon Him and built in reference to Him. By His position of preeminence in our lives, we live well-balanced and structurally sound. Scripture tells us that Jesus is the “living Cornerstone of God’s temple” (1 Peter 2:4); each believer is a temple of God. Jesus was chosen by God for this great honor (1 Peter 2:4); He is the Stone of honor. Jesus is foundational to the church as a whole and to each individual. Our lives are oriented, and we have direction because of the leadership of Jesus Christ. A life founded in Him is secure and safe. Because of Jesus, we enjoy the benefit of being made right with the Father. He is our assurance of a life that is free from condemnation and a life that bears fruit. Jesus ensures that each believer's life is properly aligned because He is the Cornerstone. A life built upon Jesus has integrity.

A life built on Jesus will never be put to shame (1 Peter 2:6). Through Him, we have eternal life, a life secure in Jesus (1 John 5:11,12). He is always for us, never against us. We are beautiful creations of His workmanship, destined to be prosperous according to His plans (Ephesians 2:10). Every good thing about our lives is dependent on Him. He holds us up; makes us right, holy, cleansed, and perfected (Hebrews 9:14). Nothing is impossible for Him (Luke 1:37). He has no rival or equal (Isaiah 40:12-31; Isaiah 46:9). He gives our lives purpose and works through us to perform His will.  Jesus gives us our true identity and value. We are strong, sound, and have purpose because Jesus is the Cornerstone of our lives! In Him we experience our full potential. Our identity, value, and significance are found in Him. Jesus is our vital necessity!

When a building is without a cornerstone, it is misaligned, lacking in stability and strength. Foundation problems occur. There is poor integrity of the structure. The building will be condemned. So, it is if Jesus is not our Cornerstone. Our life goes in the wrong direction. Impairment of our true identity is found. A poor foundation to life creates instability, and we suffer the consequences.

The first moment an individual confirms belief in Jesus Christ as their Savior, the Son of God, is to confirm belief that Jesus is the Cornerstone. At this moment, every believer is confirming that Jesus is essential to their life, confirming dependence upon Him. After this confirmation, we discover more qualities of the Cornerstone through intimacy. We discover who we are and our significance because of Him. We know that with Him we are strong, stable, secure, have purpose, and a true identity as a child of God because Jesus is our Cornerstone.