“If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands before you whole. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:9-12

In Acts chapter 4 we see Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, addressing the Jewish rulers, elders, scribes, and the high priest. As we look at this courageous statement, it is easy to see the obvious. Peter, by inspiration, has accused the Jewish council of crucifying Jesus. He has also told them that the Lord has raised this Jesus from the dead, and salvation is now granted through Him alone. As we look closer at Peter’s words, we can see a message that is repeated in many different ways throughout the pages of the New Testament. He quotes the 118th Psalm, calling Jesus the chief cornerstone.

What is the point of this article? We know that Jesus is the chief cornerstone! Can I ask you a very simple, but serious question? Is He the chief cornerstone as you live your life from day to day, moment by moment? Please know that as you walk through this life, you are building something. The foundation that you use is up to you. The materials for your building are chosen by you. The thought and effort that is applied to your construction will also be a choice that you will make many times, and in many different ways. It’s not hard to say, “Jesus is the chief cornerstone in my life!” It is far more difficult to show your building to others and boldly proclaim, “Jesus is the chief cornerstone of my life!”

Take a step back and look at your building project. Ask the questions that will reveal whether or not you are building on God’s solid foundation. Here are a few to get you started.

Am I a good employee or student? Do my actions show that I love my wife or respect my husband? What are my three favorite television shows? Do I loathe the worship service, or am I excited about the opportunity to be with those who are striving to please God? How often do I pray? When is the last time that I told a friend how much the Lord has done for me? Have I sacrificed my time and money to help someone in the last month?

These questions are just examples, but they can serve us well when we answer them honestly. Building our house upon the rock is not a biblical suggestion. It is commanded to all people who desire to please God (Luke 6:46-49). Our lives are under construction. If we do not hold ourselves accountable to the master builder, our lives will be filled with bad decisions and faulty materials (Proverbs 14:12). Why would anyone try to build on their own after learning that the Lord has provided the perfect blueprint? Consider the Psalm that Peter quoted in Acts chapter 4. “This is the gate of the LORD, through which the righteous shall enter. I will praise You, for You have answered me, and become my salvation. The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” Psalm 118:20-23

Please remember that your foundation is the key to your life. Once you have chosen the foundation, you can begin building with confidence and purpose. All construction after that point is said and done because it is fitting to the foundation that was laid. “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:4-5

I would urge everyone who reads this to consider the building that you have constructed. If there are bad decisions that have been made, and you know that your construction is faulty, please remember that the Lord has provided all that you will need to build your life on the chief cornerstone. A person, who builds their life on the Lord Jesus Christ will never be ashamed and will gladly share his building with the world.

What does your building look like? Will the Lord be pleased? “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ…  If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.” 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 14.

Danny Simmons